#choices thomas hunt

[alj4890]

Perceive

(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries One Shot

As requested by @hopelessromantic1352 with the prompt: "I see the way you look at me when you think I'm not looking.

A/N Not a part of any of my AU's for this otp, but still one I could see happening for them. For this prompt, Thomas and Amanda only casually know one another through their mutual friend, Ryan Summers.

Masterlist

***************

An exclusive resort in The Maldives...

Ryan Summers, Hollywood's most beloved leading man, was determined to get away for a month. He decided that not only would he leave all his stresses behind, but that those he was fond of should come along and make it an epic vacation.

He gathered his eclectic group of friends and persuaded them to all join him at a resort in The Maldives . He secured the rooms, booked activities, and even made an itinerary of spa reservations he personally selected for each one of his guests.

Now that he was on one of the tiny islands, he immediately began to relax. He looked over at his oldest friend and knew there was at least one in their group who needed to find a way to loosen up and enjoy things that weren't necessarily work.

Thomas Hunt did not want to go on vacation. He would have preferred to remain in his home or even in the studio, preparing for his next project. Unfortunately for him, Ryan was one of the few people in his life he couldn't refuse.

"I think we've finally reached paradise." Ryan removed his sunglasses so he could fully take in the beauty of the white sandy beach and turquoise water.

Thomas merely grunted in agreement.

"You're not impressed, are you?" Ryan asked.

"Of course I am." Thomas replied. "It's only that this is unnecessary."

"Unnecessary?" Ryan repeated in disbelief. "This is extremely necessary."

He placed his hand on Thomas's shoulder and gave him a slight shake.

"You are going to die of a heart attack if you don't find a way to relax every once in a while."

"I'm in perfect shape." Thomas argued. "I eat right, exercise, and--'"

"And when's the last time you took a vacation." Ryan countered. "I mean one, where you traveled somewhere not because you were scouting for possible locations to shoot your next film."

"I don't need vacations." His friend folded his arms. "I'm perfectly content with how I live my life."

"Uh huh." Ryan rolled his eyes. "At least try, for my sake, to enjoy this brief reprieve from your usual schedule."

Thomas watched him walk away to greet a few other people who'd newly arrived. He still didn't see why he had to be dragged along on this venture. He understood that Ryan might need a break from his hectic schedule. The man had been filming back to back movies for the past two years.

Thomas, on the other hand, relished having a packed schedule. Downtime meant the creativity had ceased to flow. He needed it to remain at its peak so that his films struck the audiences with the appropriate emotional gut punch he attempted to have in each one.

Now here he was in what was undeniably paradise with nothing to do.

Releasing a deep sigh, he decided to go see what his villa was like.

*****************

"Room service."

Amanda, the Duchess of St Orella, looked towards her door in surprise. She hadn't ordered anything since she just arrived. She set aside the clothes she'd begun to unpack and went to see just what had been ordered.

"Ryan!" She hugged the man who stood in her doorway. "It's so good to see you again!"

He squeezed her, lifting her off her feet and causing her to giggle.

"How long has it been, Duchess?" He asked once he set her on her feet.

"Much too long." She replied. "Between your schedule and my own, I think the last time we saw it each other was at that charity gala in Madrid."

He winced. "That was over a year ago."

"I know." She smiled at him. "Some of us are too popular to visit friends."

"Trust me, I would happily spend a lot more time in Cordonia." He walked over to the sliding glass door, looking out at the beauty framed before them. "I intend on making some changes in my life."

"What kind?" She asked.

"The kind where I can sit back and enjoy life before I get too old to do so." Ryan replied, turning once more to face her. "In fact, I hope this vacation makes us all want to make those necessary changes."

"I'd like to." She admitted. "After Liam's whirlwind of a coronation and wedding, I could use a break."

"Good." He was relieved to hear her say that. After talking to Thomas, he'd begun to doubt that his friends truly knew they needed a reprieve from their lifestyles.

"I'll leave you to your unpacking." He smiled his megawatt, heart stopping smile at her. "And I expect to see you taking advantage of all the relaxing activities I have planned."

"Can't wait." She told him.

"Don't forget to meet everyone for dinner tonight." He reminded her on his way out.

"I won't." Amanda promised.

She shut her door and began to wonder just who else Ryan had invited along on this journey.

***********************

An hour before dinner, Amanda changed into a sundress. She stepped out on her shared veranda with the the villa next door to admire their private infinity pool. Her breath caught at the site of the sun setting, making everything around seem almost magical.

She'd never really been into tropical destinations for vacations, but even she was moved by the sheer beauty of the place.

Her attention drifted over to the right when she heard the slight shooshing of a sliding glass door being opened.

A smile lit up her face when she saw who her neighbor would be for the next couple of weeks.

Thomas paused when he saw her. A hint of a smile curved his lips as he went to join the young woman he'd come to know through Ryan.

"Amanda." He greeted. "I see Ryan dragged you into this too."

She laughed while shaking his hand. "He is very difficult to say, no, to."

"Indeed he is." He slipped his hands in his pockets. Glancing about, he asked, "Are you here with Randolph?"

"We ended things about six months ago."

"Ah." He replied. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be." She smiled at him. "We both realized that though we are fond of each other, there simply wasn't any spark."

"I'm glad then that neither of you is left heartbroken." He leaned against the railing, keeping his gaze upon her.

"What about you?" Amanda asked. "Any new romances the gossip networks failed to mention?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "None. I've been far too busy to even think of dating."

"What a pity." She muttered.

His eyes narrowed somewhat, wondering what she meant by that.

She cocked her head towards her villa. "Want to walk with me? It's almost time to meet Ryan and everyone else for dinner."

"Of course." He fell into step beside. "We are neighbors, after all."

Amanda's smile grew at the thought. "I suppose that means we will be seeing a lot of each other these next few weeks."

Thomas cut his eyes towards her. "I suppose so."

****************

The next few days, the pair saw each other more than they anticipated.

In the mornings, Thomas took advantage of their private pool to do his daily laps. By the time he finished, Amanda was usually coming out to try and get a tan. It became a habit of Thomas drying off so he could help apply sunblock to her back.

They'd then sit side by side, lounging in the sun together, talking over whatever came to mind. Often they would sit in a companionable silence, simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

When lunch time came around, they'd either share room service or go to one of the resort's restaurants. When out, they would be joined by some of Ryan's friends or the actor himself. They'd then go change and enjoy one of the excursions Ryan had planned.

The times where they were invited to do different activities, apart from one another, they'd meet up for dinner.

Thomas found himself enjoying this trip more so than he'd first thought he would.

And then... Ryan's beach party happened.

****************

"Each time I think this place can't possibly become more beautiful, I see something like this." Amanda gestured to the small beach softly lit while dusk fell across the sky.

Ryan handed her a fruity cocktail and nodded as he gazed out at the picture perfect setting.

"This really is paradise." He said, smiling softly at her. "I'm glad to see we are all enjoying it."

"I know I am." She glanced over to where Thomas was talking to a few other people.

Ryan followed her gaze, his brow furrowed for a moment at the way she was looking at his oldest friend.

When Thomas looked over towards them, Amanda quickly averted her eyes.

Ryan was highly amused at this new development. Deciding to see if anything might be revealed, he cleared his throat.

"Now that you're single," he winked at her, "how about I start introducing you to some people I think you might like."

Amanda blushed somewhat. "Given you know mostly glamorous actors, I don't think I would be what they are looking for in a significant other."

"Of course you are!" He made a show of looking about to ask for someone else's opinion. "Thomas!"

Amanda stilled when he motioned for him to join them.

Thomas excused himself and came over. Cocking his eyebrow in question, he looked back and forth between the two.

"I need your opinion." Ryan began. "Now that Amanda's single, don't you think she's perfect for--"

"Stop!" She laughed nervously. "There's no need to ask anyone anything like that."

Her cheeks were burning with the thought of Thomas being put on the spot. Of course he'd say she was perfect for someone else. What else could he say with her standing right there? Pity and kind lies were the last things she wanted from him.

"Then you'll let me introduce you to some people once we return home?" Ryan prodded.

Amanda would have promised him her firstborn just to get out of this conversation.

"Yes." She began to inch away from the two men. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to find somewhere to sit down."

Thomas watched her leave, a bemused expression upon his face.

"What was that all about?"

"Just Amanda being her usual shy self." Ryan chuckled as he finished off his cocktail.

"Ah." Thomas replied.

He continued to study her as she sat down near a place lighted with lanterns and tiki torches.

"She's something, isn't she?" Ryan nudged him with his elbow.

Thomas slowly nodded. "She is very easy to be around."

"That she is." Ryan conceded. "But I think that there's something more to her than that."

Thomas returned his attention to the conversation. "What do you mean?"

"She's attractive." Ryan replied. "Though she doesn't see it, which makes her all the more endearing."

Thomas eyed him. "Is that why you invited her?"

"No." Ryan quickly replied. "I genuinely like her."

"Ah." It was all becoming clear to Thomas. "You're planning on asking her out."

Ryan's eyes widened. "What? No. At one time I thought we might make a good match, but too much time went by and we were too good of friends to chance dating." He shook his head. "I intend on finding her someone."

"Is that why you called me over?" Thomas grumbled, already feeling his rebellious nature rearing its head at the thought of being set up on a blind date of sorts. "You wanted me to be the one with her?"

"Not at all. The thought never crossed my mind of setting up the two of you." Ryan lied. "I simply wanted you to help me convince her that she could easily be a part of our world if she found someone from it she liked."

"Oh." Thomas didn't particularly like that notion either. The thought of her with someone else he knew did not sit well at all.

"Once she falls for whomever I find for her, she'll see that she's perfect within our society."

Ryan, quite pleased with himself, walked away to talk to others after seeing a fierce frown appear on Thomas's face.

****************

Amanda found herself drinking more than she normally would have in the hopes of erasing the fact that she suspected Ryan was talking to everyone about setting her up. She downed a few more fruity cocktails when she recalled that he most likely talked to Thomas about her.

Wincing over that notion, she waved a waiter over for another refill.

"Of all the men," she mumbled to herself, "he would tell that one."

She had no intention of ever falling for a man from Hollywood. She knew her jealous nature and her vast array of insecurities. The thought of seeing someone she was in love with share a passionate love scene with some gorgeous, couldn't be physically possible to look like that, actress would be the end of any peace of mind she possessed.

She knew what she could and could not handle and actors were a definite, no.

What about directors, her traitorous mind whispered.

Amanda lifted her eyes, searching the small crowd for the man she'd grown increasingly close.

She felt herself melt when she saw him illuminated by some torches.

He's so handsome.

Seeing him in various states of dress, from his swim trunks to his suits had done a number on her ability to try to be unmoved by how attractive he was.

She knew she was staring at him more and more as the days went by. The thing was, it wasn't because she thought him the sexiest man she'd ever had the good fortune to meet. She had somehow ended up falling for him.

She loved all the moments she had alone with him. His dry humor had the ability to make her laugh until tears came to her eyes. She adored hearing his deep voice talk about anything from the weather to a movie he thought she might enjoy. His calm nature, though somewhat jaded, meshed well with her own optimism.

She'd even caught him a time or two looking at her with a slight smile to his lips. He seemed to enjoy his time with her as much as she did hers with him.

Or is it because he can only handle these people in small doses, she wondered.

Whatever it was, she was losing her heart and couldn't think of how to make it stop.

****************

Thomas could tell she was staring at him again. Without being too obvious, he cut his eyes over to where she sat. He wasn't one to normally be pleased with drawing attention, yet something about having Amanda's was different.

He actually wanted her to notice him.

He enjoyed having her to himself this past week. And though he initially bucked at the thought of Ryan setting him up with her, he wouldn't mind testing the waters, especially since she seemed more than receptive. He only wanted to do so without any pressure from outside sources.

He watched her as she joined Ryan's group. Her smile seemed a touch strained but her laugh had the same rich sound he'd become used to.

Thomas's brow furrowed when he saw her squeeze Ryan's hand then leave, disappearing into the darkness.

Excusing himself once again from the group he was currently talking to, he pulled Ryan aside.

"Where did she go?" He whispered.

"Who?" Ryan purposely remained oblivious.

"Amanda." Thomas hissed.

"Oh." Ryan shrugged. "She went back to her villa."

"Why?" Thomas prodded. "Was something wrong?"

"I don't know." Ryan replied.

He took a few steps forward to only be yanked back.

"You don't know?" Thomas bit out. "How do you not know? You're one of the nosiest people I know to not have a career in journalism."

"She didn't say why she was leaving. I assumed she was tired." Ryan responded. "And since I assumed she was tired, I saw no reason to question her."

Thomas glared at him. The one time he wanted information on someone and his only source was absolutely useless.

"I'm going to make sure she's okay." He grumbled, walking away.

Ryan fought back a smile.

*****************

"Just a minute!" Amanda yelled out.

She struggled out of her sundress. Once off, she straightened the strapless bikini she'd worn underneath it as she headed towards the door.

Without checking to see who it was, she opened it, stilling at the sight of the man in front of her.

Thomas froze. He'd never seen her before in a swimsuit like the one she was currently in.

"Um." He forced his eyes off her body. "I, I saw you leave and wanted to make certain you were all right."

"I am." She mumbled. "I had too much to drink and thought I should come back here to sober up."

He nodded. She didn't sound too tipsy. In fact, the way she spoke didn't reveal she'd had anything to drink.

"What were you going to do?" He asked, his gaze drifting along her curves.

"I was going to go for a swim to clear my head."

His eyes lifted to hers. Tilting his head in thought, he walked inside her villa, pausing until he was just a couple of feet away from her.

"Want some company?"

NO! Her mind screamed out. The last thing she needed in her current frame of mind was to see him half naked in the moonlight.

"I wouldn't mind yours." She replied instead.

His smile grew bigger. "I'll go change."

She slumped against a chair once he was gone.

"This is a bad idea." She muttered.

A few minutes later, she was cursing her luck. It wasn't like she hadn't seen Thomas in nothing but trunks before. She supposed what was different was that she knew she'd fallen for him and wished she could touch him the way her dreams allowed her to.

Thomas tossed a robe and towel on a lounge chair and dove into the water.

He came to the surface, smoothing his hair back.

"Come on in." He encouraged when she simply stood there staring at him. "The water feels warm."

She slid on the next to the last step and went under.

A slight tremble rushed through her that had nothing to do with being chilled.

She decided to use the steps instead of jumping into the water. She didn't trust herself enough to keep from drowning.

She resurfaced, gasping for air.

Thomas helped get her hair out of her eyes, then set his hands on her waist.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes." She coughed. "I'm fine."

The two bobbed in the water, simply looking at each other.

"You can, um, let me go. I'm not going to drown tonight." She tried to joke.

Thomas kept his arms around her. He'd thought her pretty, but something about tonight and seeing her in a bathing suit that revealed so much of her figure to perfection, made him make a few quick life changing decisions.

"I see the way you look at me when you think I'm not looking."

Amanda felt like she wanted to walk into the ocean and never stop until she sank beneath the waves.

He's seen me staring at him! Oh dear Lord. What must he think of me?!

"I'm so," she swallowed, trying to find the appropriate words for how embarrassed she felt, "mortified."

"If you'd kept looking," he added, ignoring that confession, "you would have seen me looking at you the same way."

Amanda's eyes flew to his face to see if he was messing with her.

He tugged her close to truly test what might be between them. "And now I wonder..."

Thomas pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

He could feel her stiffen in shock at first, then her arms wrapped around his neck.

The kiss deepened as the two moved even closer together.

Legs tangled while they embraced. Hands moved along the other as desire spiked through their veins. Thomas could feel her smiling against his lips.

He pulled back to look into her eyes. His own lips curved at the feelings of having her in his arms evoked.

"Perhaps I should wonder more often." He murmured.

She smiled, kissing him once more, and whispered.

"Perhaps you should."

[alj4890masterlist]

Worth the Wait

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) in a "what if" version to the RCD/TRR fan fic series A Second Chance

Prologue

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

A Timeless Love

Thomas and Alex have such a timeless beautiful love. While most of my stories focus on HWU and RCD AUs, I love that no matter the universe, no matter the circumstance, no matter where or how they meet, these two always find each other. Their love is timeless, boundless, and infinite. They are my first Pixelberry OTP and the one that is is the most special to me.

I can't thank (Artby)Ainna (insta) enough for capturing this pose exactly as I imagined. She can truly take my ramblings and makes them perfect. I've held on to this art for 0 days and I'm okay with that!

[All Thomas Hunt x Alex Masterlists] [Halex Commission tag]

[storyofmychoices]

Minimalist Name Logos: Lahela, Hunt, & Volari

I wanted to try something new. I keep seeing ads on Instagram for name jewelry and business logos in this minimalist style. For those unfamiliar, you take each letter from the name and overlap them and put them together to create a minimalist design which is just the name.

I am showing 3 versions here: the fully connected version, a version with each letter still separate (not touching), and the final version highlights each letter in a different color so you can see where it is.

Row 1: Lahela, Row 2: Hunt, Row 3: Volari

[cadybear420]

Choices Secret Pal July 2024, edits by me

Here's my creation for the Choices Secret Pal event by @choicesfandomappreciation!

For @peonyblossom, I've made some swimsuit edits of their couples! Matty (HSS:CA MC) and Ajay, Sydney (OPH MC) and Ethan, and Jackie (RCD MC) and Thomas! With guidance from this, this, this, and this.

This was so much fun! I love reading about all your headcanons and MCs and their LIs <3 <3 <3 Thank you so much for this opportunity!

[lovealexhunt]

Trying to work through my writer's block with a new little series of drabbles. This series will focus on one partner brushing back the other's hair.

🤎 A Brush of Magic [The Elementalists]: Emma tracks down a particularly mischievous book, while Beckett gets caught in their path. [700]

🤎 Just Her [Red Carpet Diaries]: Thomas and Alex enjoy a quiet sunset at the beach. [450]

🤎 Through the Pain [The Deadliest Game]: Emilia takes Jun up on his offer to try the punching bag. (A more emotional rewrite of Jun's Chapter 6 diamond scene) [1.4K]

🤎 Whispers in the Fog [Blades of Light & Shadow]: Daenarya and Mal both reflect on the journey so far and share a moment too. [680]

More to be added as I continue (hopefully 🤞 )

[choiceswithmika]

Birthday :)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mikaylyn Ortega 💍 (@choiceswithmika)

Posted a birthday edit on instagram but happy birthday @lovealexhunt !!

[gutsfics]

a collection

[cherrycruise]

TOM CRUISE at NICKELODEON'S 14th Annual Kids' Choice Awards

[tveitertotwrites]

Rereading the AME series and I forgot that Thomas Hunt shows up in book 1. Like when I saw his name, I did a double take.

Like this version does not sound like him to me.

Nvm, he's back

[alj4890]

In Times of Comfort

(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries/The Royal Romance Crossover drabble.

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: a kiss to the forehead, meant to soothe.

A/N Thomas Hunt x Amanda after Maxwell's death in *While We're Young AU*) as requested by @twinkleallnight This is shortly after Amanda and her daughters move to California in an attempt to get away from reminders of Maxwell and his death.

Rating G for angsty fluff

Trigger Warnings: mentions of character death and grieving

@hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction ​​@flyawayboo ​​ ​​  @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations

Masterlist

"I don't know." Emily Beaumont mumbled. "It doesn't feel right to go to a party."

Amanda sat quietly as her daughters debated on whether or not to go out for the evening.

Her older daughter, Nicky, had become Addison Sinclaire's assistant. Working with the famed costume designer allowed her to meet and mingle with many of the actors who graced the theater screens.

Since Hollywood was a town where one needed to be seen, there were numerous parties nearly every night. It made sense that the invitations were beginning to roll in for Cordonia's beloved Beaumont sisters. They were young, beautiful, fun, and incredibly sweet.

Their party loving nature came from their late father. Amanda knew how much fun they used to have in going out before his death. She hated that they felt like they had to remain away from everyone and grieve. She knew Maxwell wouldn't have wanted that for them.

"I think you should go." Amanda told them, picking at the food on her plate.

"But--" Emily was about to argue.

"We've been here for two months." Her mother pointed out. "We finally finished unpacking and I think you girls should celebrate that accomplishment."

Nicky reached over and placed her hand on hers.

"What about you, Mom? Would you like to come with us?"

Amanda shook her head, keeping her eyes lowered. "No, I think I'll stay in."

The girls shared a glance.

That's all their mother did. She rarely left the home they'd settled in. She refused invitations to meet friends for lunch or dinner. She only went out if they needed something from the grocery store or if Thomas asked for her help at the studio.

They knew that she was still in complete anguish over losing their father. Her once bright, sunny personality was shuttered away. She'd still smile at them and try and be her old self, but they knew it was an act.

Nicky and Emily could hear her muffled sobs late at night. Amanda would usually go to bed early, claiming she was exhausted, and lock herself away with the memories of her beloved husband.

The girls were still grieving, but nothing like how their mother was.

"Okay." Nicky got up to clear her and her sister's plate away. "We'll leave in an hour Em."

Emily pushed back from the table. She didn't want to leave her mother alone but she knew if she put up an argument, she'd end up upsetting both her and Nicky.

She knew her sister needed a break from the sadness. They all did. But Emily's heart hurt more for their mom than for her own loss. She couldn't imagine losing someone who was not only a best friend but also one's true love.

She paused on her way to go upstairs and swooped down, engulfing her mother in a hug from behind.

Amanda blinked back tears over it.

Maxwell used to do that, she thought to herself.

He was always coming up behind her and wrapping her up in a hug. She wondered if her Emily even knew how many traits she shared with her father.

She reached back and gently patted her daughter's cheek.

"Love you, Mums." Emily said softly.

"Love you too, angel." Amanda replied, kissing her cheek. "I want you to have a good time tonight." She smiled at her. "Dance for me, okay?"

Emily nodded.

"Good. Now go put on that new dress Nicky picked out for you. I know you're going to be a knockout in it. Hollywood won't know what to do with you once they see you."

Emily snorted on a giggle. "I don't know about that."

"Trust me. My girls are nothing but gorgeous." Amanda got up to get rid of her barely touched plate. "Just try and prove me wrong."

Emily beamed at her then ran upstairs.

Once she was out of sight, Amanda went into the kitchen.

"Leave those." She ordered. "I'll clean them."

"But you did the cooking." Nicky argued. "Beaumont's always split the chores."

Amanda briefly closed her eyes. Maxwell used to tell their daughters that every time they did something together.

"I know." She managed to say without crying. "But, I want you to go dress up. You deserve a night of carefree fun after all you've been through."

Nicky averted her eyes. She couldn't imagine a worse time in her life. Not only had she lost her beloved father, but she'd also lost her own, what she once believed, true love. She would be lying if she said she didn't need to go out and get her mind off of things, even if it was for a few hours. She needed a distraction to stop thinking about life without her father and life without Lord Jackson Nevrakis-Walker.

Setting a dishtowel down, she hugged her mother tight.

Amanda held her, gently smoothing her daughter's hair. She wished she could take all of her pain away. It killed her to see her Nicky like this.

Nicky sighed and stepped back. "I'll do my best to be carefree."

"Good." Amanda shooed her out of the kitchen. "I want you to smile and enjoy everything tonight."

"I'll try." She promised.

*****************

"How do we look, Mums?" Emily twirled around.

Amanda nodded, forcing a smile. "Gorgeous. Just like I knew you would."

"We'll be back early." Nicky promised.

"You'll do nothing of the sort!" Amanda followed them to the door. "I don't want to hear you coming in until the sun is rising."

"Yeah, but--" Emily tried to tell her they didn't want her left alone.

"I mean it." Amanda said in a firm tone. "Have a night of pure fun."

Nicky looped her arm with her sister's to tug her out the door.

"We'll do our best." She told her.

Once the door closed, both girls finally gave in to their worries.

"We can't leave her alone!" Emily grumbled. "You know what she's going to do while we're gone."

"I know. But she won't stop worrying about us if we don't go." Nicky slid into the back of a waiting town car.

Emily followed her, brow furrowed as she looked back at the place they were currently calling home.

Nicky chewed on her bottom lip while trying to think of what to do. If they were in Cordonia, she wouldn't be as worried. She knew her parents' friends would be there, drawing her mother out of her grief.

If only they had someone close by who could do the same--

"I'll call Uncle Thomas." Nicky told her sister. "He'll go check on her for us."

"You think he's home?" Emily asked, hope tinging her voice.

"I know he isn't at a party." Nicky teased.

The girls leaned their heads close together as they waited anxiously with each unanswered ring.

"Hello?" Thomas said on the fifth ring.

"Uncle Thomas?" Nicky greeted with a great deal of relief. "It's me and Emily."

"Is everything all right?" He asked.

"Kinda." Emily replied.

It didn't take long before the girls shared their worries with him.

"I'll go over there." He promised. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Amanda isn't alone tonight."

"Thank you." Nicky said, fighting back tears.

"We knew we could count on you to help her." Emily added. "Maybe she'll open up to you. Mums is keeping everything inside and won't talk to us about how she's feeling."

"I know she's doing it to not upset us." Nicky explained. "She's trying to make everything normal or at least as normal as things can be right now."

"I see." Thomas reassured them again he'd go over there.

When the girls ended the call, he sat back in his chair as he debated what to do. He knew if he called and gave Amanda any warning that he was coming over, she'd probably do her best to talk him out of it. Deciding that he wasn't going to put her through that type of stress, he got up and grabbed his car keys.

He wasn't entirely sure what he should do once he got there, but he was determined to try and help someone he deeply cared for.

****************

As soon as she knew the girls weren't coming back for anything they might have forgotten, Amanda sank down onto the couch and allowed her depression to finally be set free.

Tears began fall in steady paths down her cheeks as she stared at the wall. She pulled her knees to her chest, rested her chin on them, and thought about Maxwell. How could she possibly go on without him? He'd been everything to her. Her entire world revolved around him and the family they'd created.

She didn't have him here reassuring her with the decisions she'd made. Did she do right in taking the girls out of Cordonia? With Nicky's infamous breakup, Emily being publicly cheated on, and Maxwell's death; she couldn't see a way around it. They needed to get away from so many memories.

But...

She had so many here in California with Maxwell. With each of them writing and their novels being used for movies and series, they'd spent a lot of their time together in Hollywood. Perhaps she shouldn't have accepted Thomas's suggestion to come here.

Her breaths became audible as she began to think about her past. Romantic moments with Maxwell began to go through her mind. All the anniversaries where he went above and beyond what most would deem normal struck hard. She could recall each outrageous gift, the kisses, the moments alone, his words of love...everything.

She realized why those were haunting her tonight. Tomorrow would have been their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

*****************

A few months earlier...

"This is a big one." Maxwell teased. "We have to really think hard about how to celebrate this anniversary."

"What did you have in mind?" Amanda asked, looping her arms around his neck.

His lips curved as he pulled her close for a kiss.

"Definitely a whole lot of that." He winked at her. "I think we should do a second honeymoon after a Beaumont Bash that puts all previous bashes to shame."

"Isn't that what you say about every new Beaumont Bash?" She teased.

"Yeah, but this one is for my all-time favorite love story." He explained, kissing her deeply. "I can't think of anything more important than celebrating you and me."

"Neither can I." She sank into his embrace, feeling all the thrills his touch still gave her after all these years together.

"Good. I'm thinking for our second honeymoon, we go somewhere where we can be alone." His eyes closed when she kissed his neck. "After all our travels with the girls and everybody, I need you all to myself for a while."

"How long's a while?" She asked, loving his ideas as usual.

"A month." He decided. "If we go longer, I know you'll get tired of me."

"Impossible." She smiled up at him.

He grinned. His dimples she adored deepened with her saying what he hoped was still true.

"There's that reason why I married you!" He laughed when she playfully pushed him away.

Maxwell snagged her hand, twirling her back within his arms.

"I love you so much, Lady Beaumont." He whispered in her ear, hugging her tight.

"I love you too, Lord Beaumont."

***************

Amanda buried her head against her knees as her body became wracked with sobs.

***************

Thomas was relieved he had a spare key. When his knock went unanswered, he quietly slipped inside. Before he could even take a step over the threshold, he could hear Amanda crying.

He shut the door and followed the sounds into the living room.

His heart ached at the sight of her curled up on the couch. Her shoulders shook with each hoarse cry for Maxwell. All the tears had turned her hazel eyes gray.

Without a word, he sat down beside her and gently pulled her into his arms.

Amanda clutched tight to him, burying her face against his shoulder as she continued to cry her heart out.

He sat there, occasionally rubbing her back and allowed her to simply grieve.

She needed this. She needed someone to remain quiet and not speak the usual platitudes of time healing. She didn't want anyone crying with her. She didn't mean to be selfish, but she needed her grief to be front and center. Anyone else sobbing beside her would have made her feel like she had to stop her own sorrow to comfort them.

With her daughters, it was different. Their broken hearts broke hers in a different way, thus making her be the strong one. She knew she had to help hold them while the onslaught of slashes from depression struck their tender hearts.

Maxwell had been the one to always hold Amanda and simply let her cry. For their entire life together, she knew she could turn to him without hesitation or worry over what he might think. She allowed herself to drop all her barriers and simply be the timid little girl who feared losing loved ones she thought she still was.

She'd lost her parents when she was twelve. Her uncle, when she was barely twenty. And now she'd lost the one man who had been by her side throughout all those deaths that had nearly broken her.

How could she possibly recover from losing Maxwell without him here to hold her?

Her sobs eventually quieted. The tears still fell as she simply remained in Thomas's arms. She was exhausted from this harsh episode and didn't even have the strength to apologize for crying so hard on him.

Thomas rested his head against hers and continued to hold her tight as if willing his strength to give her comfort.

Amanda swallowed, eyes closing when she felt him place a kiss on her forehead. She didn't realize how much she needed that tender reassurance that she was not alone.

On instinct, she curled more against his side, selfishly taking every scrap of comfort he was giving her.

He gently brushed her hair back that was sticking to her damp cheeks. With one arm around her waist, he began to run his fingers through her hair, slowly soothing her back into a calm state of mind.

He wasn't entirely certain how long they sat like that with neither saying a word. Thomas only knew he would stay there for as long as she needed him to.

When the clock chimed one in the morning, he knew Amanda had fallen asleep in his arms. He carefully eased away from her to find a blanket to cover her up with.

He paused when she grasped his hand.

"Please." She pleaded in a hoarse whisper. "Please, don't leave me. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't ask it of you but--"

Her red rimmed eyed held his. They revealed the deep well of pain that threatened to consume her once more.

"I'm not going anywhere." He promised. "I'm only going to retrieve a blanket for us."

Her head jerked in a nod of understanding as fresh tears pricked her eyes once more.

He found a blanket in a hall closet and sat back down beside her. Before she could even move, he pulled her back within his arms then draped the blanket over them both.

Thomas pressed another kiss to her forehead once she rested her cheek on his shoulder.

"Rest." He whispered, his lips brushing her skin with each word. "I'll be right here the whole time."

Amanda hugged him close to her. Exhaustion won out before she could stay awake long enough to thank him.

Her last thought before sleep took over was that she didn't know how to move on from Maxwell, but having Thomas here made the notion of having to do so a little less painful.

[princepotatosack]

ermmm who else making fake letterboxd pages for the movies in red carpet diaries as a way to cope with a job rejection 😳😳😳

notes below lol

it was a really cool job it was in a library in like the middle of the woods. but youre not here to read about that haha.

hmmm i am trying to reflect on my design choices so i can write about them but honestly not a lot of thoughts went into this, just a mug of black coffee and disappointment :-/

also it's been such a long time since i played this series so forgive me if i got any of the plot details wrong since i literally can;t remember :'-(

it was fun writing the synopses for the movies though! and whoops i forgot the tagline for the last duchess :-(

the ratings and other stats are totally random, so don't read too much into it

i started feeling better once i got to the last one tee hee and as a result i didnt want to do this anymore which is why ninradell is the WORST looking one lmfaooo

they never said who played the sage in ninradell so i casted aliana velazquez from LOA since we never really got to see what her career was like oustide of the riverdale clone from that one chapter :-) rip aliana :-(

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

💖I Dream of [Thomas &] Alex 💖

I am BEYOND blown away by this stunning art of my forever OTP Thomas and Alex as Jeannie and Major Nelson from I Dream of Jeannie by the always amazing @callmebeem. I've honestly been squealing and giggling like an idiot since I saw it!

I Dream of Jeannie was my first favorite tv show. Jeannie and Tony were my first OTP (I didn't even know what an OTP was at the time, but I loved them with my entire being). I vividly remember watching the show in Kindergarten and First Grade (on Nick at Night and TVland hehe). I was glued to the tv in complete awe of the magic and wonder and possibility that Jeannie brought. Her joy was absolutely infectious. And with all sitcoms, no matter how bad things were in the episode, things always worked out in the end.

When I was in first grade, I experienced my first trauma. And as a result, I suffered my first bout of depression following that. Jeannie was the only thing that could even make me hint at a smile for a long time. I know that looking back at the show, it has a lot of flaws and is not something that could ever air today, but I didn't see any of that. I saw hope and I saw joy and that is what I needed.

I've carried them with me my whole life. I binged the series again over the summer so it felt like the perfect time to commission this art for Thomas and Alex at Halloween.

While I know they have a lot of differences, I love that Thomas and Alex have a little bit of Tony and Jeannie in them. Thomas and Tony both put their career first. It was all that really mattered to them. Until one day, fate brought a little ray of sunshine with just a touch of mischief into their lives to turn everything upside down. And only when they risk losing their ladies do they realize how much more they matter than their career.

Jeannie and Tony saved me when I was younger. Alex and Thomas saved me several years ago, when I didn't think I could go on another day. I found them, and they gave me hope. I can't promise I would be here if it weren't for them, so I am so eternally grateful for finding them and later this fandom.

If you made it this far, thank you. I love you and I appreciate you!

Just a note about the art/Alex's Hair

I know Jeannie has blonde hair (and her "evil" sister has brown). I had considered Alex wearing a wig, but, before Barbra Eden was cast as Jeannie, the studio wanted Jeannie to be a brunette to stand out from Samantha (Bewitched), so I felt it was okay for Alex to keep her hair.

[All Thomas Hunt x Alex Masterlists] [Halex Commission tag]

[storyofmychoices]

Happy Artist Love Day (@choicesfandomappreciation) to the many incredible artists I've had the opportunity to commission or by whom I've had work gifted to me.

I can't say enough about how grateful I am to all of you! You are so incredibly talented and it is a privilege to support you and your talents. Thank you for sharing your gift with me and so many others!

ArtbyAinna (instagram)

@weetlebeetle

CoffeesforChloe (instgram)

@hydn-jpg

Irdeinfierno (instgram)

@rosefuckinggenius

@bayleedraws-sometimesx

@vantaray

@callmebeem

@cashweasel

LizbyArt (instagram)

Artsy_elii (instagram)

@mydemonsdrivealimo

@violentinecrl

@neonravensart

brillustration (instagram)

magnarts (instagram)

lemony_leech (instagram)

@cronchie-biscuit

ohhheyitsjulia (instagram)

@oh-so-youre-a-nerd

_artsbymena_ (instagram)

@angkis

[jumpinjordan]

I would give my life, my body and my soul to play hollywood u and romance thomas hunt again

[peonyblossom]

So happy that @choicesmcmadness is back even though it took me all month to finally find time to do these oops

Ethan x Sydney

Not really a holiday tradition per se, but since their wedding anniversary is on Dec. 17, one of their favorite things they do each year is celebrate their anniversary lol

This year (2023, so ig last year now oops) they got their second kitty, Burrito, to celebrate their first anniversary!!

They also go on a ski trip every year during the week between Christmas and New Year's to celebrate the holidays

Thomas x Jackie

Each year they spend the holidays with one of their families (they switch off which family each year)

They also spend a lot of time in their cabin in the woods in Washington state in the winter when one of them misses the snow

One of Jackie's favorite traditions is to get together with their friends and have a movie marathon of all the holiday movies any of them have worked on (Chadley has 100% been the love interest in a Hallmark movie before)

Kit x Jules

One of their favorite holiday traditions is go into town and get hot cocoa and walk around looking at the lights and decorations

They usually go into a few local shops to do some Christmas shopping as well

They also gather around the fireplace on Christmas Eve and Jules plays Christmas carols on his guitar and sings

And ofc Kit cooks Christmas dinner every year lol