Come Back to Me
Jude couldn't believe it had been two years. Two years since she'd seen Tommy. Two years, to the day, since Tommy had stood in front of her, looking deeply into her eyes, and promised that he would be back for her. But he never came back.
She shook her head, trying to keep her mind on the present. It was late Friday night and she was sitting in the studio listening to her newly mixed track with her new producer, who was also her fiancée. But the track was not what she was thinking about. She was thinking about Tommy, and for some reason she couldn't stop. Two years ago, Tommy had found out the truth about Portia's involvement in Angie's death and it had thrown him into a depression. He was somber and would barely speak to anyone, except Jude. He'd come to her at home late one night to tell her he was leaving. Before she could help it, her mind flashed back to that night.
He smiled the smile of a broken man. "Jude, I want you, I love you, but I'm not in any shape right now to give you what you need. I need to go, sort myself out." He took her hands in his, caressing the tops of her hands with his thumbs. Then he lifted her downward face towards him so that he could stare into her eyes. "I will be back, I promise. I will come back to you, for you." Then he'd kissed her passionately, ruthlessly, taking one last taste before he walked out the door, leaving her in shock.
"Jude?!"
Jude's head snapped up immediately.
"Jude, you alright?" Gabriel asked her, touching her hand gently, bringing her attention back to him.
She smiled weakly, "I'm fine, thanks. Sorry, I just got a little lost in my thoughts."
"That's okay. You know what," he said, standing, and pulling Jude out of her chair to enclose her in his arms, "we can finish this when we get back from our honeymoon. We shouldn't even be here right now, we still have last minute stuff to do before tomorrow."
Jude pulled back slightly, looked up into his warm, comforting face. "Sadie's got everything covered, believe me. She's an expert planner and organizer." Gabriel pulled her close again, and Jude nestled into his arms, closing her eyes to enjoy the comfortable feeling. These past two years had been extremely rough. Everyday for the first year Jude had kept one eye on the door, expecting Tommy to rush through the door any minute and sweep her up in his arms. But he never showed up. Slowly she opened her heart up again to Gabriel, a generous, caring man who understood her and her music. But Jude always had a gnawing feeling in the back of her mind that the majority of her heart would always be locked away for Tommy, and that no one would understand her quite like Tommy did.
Jude forced her eyes open, releasing herself from Gabriel's embrace to sit down at the soundboard again. "I want to finish the song."
"Jude, we can finish it when we get back," Gabriel said, walking up behind her, beginning to massage her shoulders.
"I want to finish it today, and then we can start on fresh material when we come home," Jude returned, trying not to let him see the relaxing effect his ministrations were having on her. She was becoming so relaxed she thought she was going to fall asleep. She lifted a hand up to cover a yawn, and Gabriel caught her hand.
"I knew it! We're going home. You're tired, and I want you completely rested for tomorrow!! Now, get out of the chair, I'm taking you home. Don't force me to carry you," He said half-jokingly, laughing loudly. He swiveled the chair around and attempted to pick her up, Jude evading him and trying to push the chair away. It turned into a game, both of them laughing hysterically.
They were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. They both turned quickly to see who it was. No one was usually still around at this time.
"Sorry to interrupt," a familiar voice said, "I'm looking for Jude Harrison."
Jude gasped, covering her mouth with shock. It was Tommy Quincy.