"Larissa. Wake up," Chris whispered as he gently shook her shoulders, trying to rouse her.
He was met with swatting at his hands and grumbling.
"Since when are you not a morning person?" Larissa just gave him a dirty look.
"Right," he looked embarrassed.
"Can't I have a pity party one more day?" she mumbled.
"No. Not today. I have a surprise for you. Get up and get dressed,"Chris patter her shoulder as he got up from the bed.
"What is it?" she asked as he stepped into the bathroom to shower.
"That's kind of the whole premise behind surprises. Is that you don't know," he called as he entered the shower stall. He vaguely made out more grumbling.
"Please, baby? It's a good surprise. You'll like it."
"You know I don't like surprises!" Larissa yelled back.
Chris sighed as he wiped water from his face. He didn't feel like arguing with her this morning.
"You're coming to work with me. Now get dressed!"
"Really?" he heard a minute later from the bathroom doorway.
"Yes," Chris laughed in spite of himself. "Now please. Get dressed!"
"Ok! Ok! Grumpy Pants."
He rolled his eyes at the irony of her calling him the grumpy one.
"Ok. Don't be mad at me for asking this, but...You're not going to freak out, are you?" Chris glanced over at Larissa as they neared where Bill Pullman and Alan Rickman stood talking to the director and a handful of other crew members. She kept her eyes focused forward.
"I promise I won't lose my shit," she paused. "I am freaking out a little, though."
The group of men stopped talking and turned toward them as they approached.
"Hey, everyone. This is Larissa," Chris introduced her.
"Hi," she gave a little wave.
"She's going to hang out for awhile today."
"I'll behave, I promise," she tried to joke.
"This is your girlfriend?" Alan asked incredulously, pointing."You?"
"Fiancee, actually," Larissa held up the back of her left hand to show off her ring.
"Oh, you're much too gorgeous to be engaged to this guy," Alan jabbed a thumb out towards Chris. "You must be a model."
"No," Larissa giggled.
"Kinda old to be hitting on my girl, aren't you, Rickman?" Chris taunted back.
"Ha," he replied sarcastically. "And how old are you again,son? She clearly has a thing for older men," he raised an eyebrow at Larissa. She stifled a laugh, but barely.
"Alright, boys. I think that's enough," Bill finally interjected.
"Oh, I'm just giving him a hard time," Alan waved his hand dismissively. "Although, if I were 20 years younger..." he smirked at Larissa. "I'm Alan, by the way," he shook her hand, then kissed the back of it.
"Alright, alright," Chris forced a laugh, but secretly tried to hide his growing agitation.
"And I'm Bill," Larissa shook Bill Pullman's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And you are late for hair and makeup," the director pointed to Chris. "Get outta here. We'll keep her entertained."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Chris looked back at Alan one last time before walking over to the hair and make up trailer.
"Is he always so easy?" he barely heard Alan ask Larissa as he walked away. More giggling.
"Mostly."
"She's going to pay for that later," he smiled to himself.
They were getting ready for one of Bill and Chris' scenes when he got done with hair and make up. Larissa had her back turned to him as he walked up to the group again. He was glad to see she looked visibly more at ease.
"Tell me, Larissa: Have you seen Chris'...hair, yet?" he heard Alan ask as he approached.
"No. He told me he had to wear some wig. Why?" She turned around toward Chris as Alan pointed.
Larissa immediately covered her mouth with her hands. Her eyes looked as if they were going to bulge right out of her head. She proceeded to laugh hysterically.
"Oh my God!" she cried through her hands. Larissa doubled over she was laughing so hard. It took her a good minute to look up at him again. Tears streamed down her face.
"I'm so sorry," she waved a hand. "Why didn't you warn me?!"she blurted. Chris gave her his "Is it really that funny?"look. She doubled back over, barely able to breath, body shaking violently from laughing so hard. Her laughter was contagious and everyone, even Chris, couldn't help but join in too.
Once everyone finally started to calm down, Chris stood there, looking a bit like a sad puppy dog, though he tried to smile.
Larissa came over to him and put her arms around his waist, finally able to look him in the eye, but barely.
"I'm sorry, babe," she apologized, trying unsuccessfully to stop smirking.
"Is it really that bad?" he asked her quietly.
"No," she shook her head and leaned in next to his ear. "It's horrible," her voice quivered as she broke into hysterics again.
"You're lucky I love you," Chris whispered in her ear.
"I know. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Larissa tried to calm herself and took two deep breaths. "I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard," she wiped tears away from her eyes. "Seriously, though, babe. Why wouldn't you prepare me for something like that? Shit..."
"Alright. You're starting to give me a complex," he paused. "At least you're smiling again," he fought the urge to kiss her in front of everyone. Larissa smiled knowingly back at him.
"Oh! Let's get a picture," Alan suggested. "Come on. Gather in, everyone," he waved his arm. The group gathered around with Larissa in the center, Chris to her right and Alan to her left. He and Larissa still kept that picture on their dresser, just for when they needed a good laugh.
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