A/N: I don't own Instant Star or the song 'Who Knew' by Pink. This is just something off the top of my head, so be patient if it takes me awhile to post the next chapter.
Kwest and I were waiting at the studio for Sadie to show us her big surprise. I got up and refilled my coffee mug, "So, do you know anything about this?" Kwest shook his head, "Nope, she's been real tight on this one, but I think it has something to do with the wedding." I doctored my coffee and sat back down on the couch, "Yeah, she's been dealing with a million things getting ready for this, I just hope she doesn't crack under the pressure of becoming Mrs. Kevin West." I dodged the pillow he threw at me and caught my breath at the sight of a dream walking in the door. "Kwest." I choked out. He turned and stood up, walking towards the ladies, "Jude! Sadie, I love your surprise!"
I pulled myself together and walked over to them, giving them both big hugs. "Sadie, Jude!" I turned to Jude, she looked amazing! The past two and half years revealed a beautiful woman that was hidden by youth earlier. I took in her stylish clothes; she was definitely giving Sadie a run for her money in that department. I felt my heart clench as I looked into her eyes. "So, are you here for the wedding or is this permanent?" She smiled at Sadie, "I think it's permanent. I've missed my family and friends." I nodded and turned away. It took a few steps for me to gain my composure, I don't think I'm in the friends category; I've had to go through Kwest to get all my information on Jude these last two years. I dumped my coffee out in the sink and washed the mug out, listening to their conversation about Sadie's bridesmaid dresses.
I turned around and caught Jude's eyes on me. I walked over and nodded at her, "You want to get some coffee somewhere and catch up?" She smiled, "Yeah, I'd like that." I looked at Kwest, he was already pulling Sadie off to the side, probably making plans for later this evening. "We're heading over to the café, we'll see you later." Kwest nodded at me before turning back to Sadie. I led Jude out the front door to my Viper. "Oh! You still have this car! Do you remember when I had my first driving lesson in this car?" I nodded, unable to speak. Of course I remembered, I also remembered later that day how I held her in my arms and kissed her. And no, it didn't stop there, I remember the pain I caused her, the rift it created between us and then her move to London with her Mom.
I opened the car door for her and waited for her to slide in. I watched her slim ankles disappear and closed the door before getting in on my side. "So, Harrison, you think this is permanent?" She looked out at the passing scenery. "Yeah, I've missed home. Don't get me wrong, London was great, I've done some amazing things, spread my wings and all, but I'm a family girl. I miss my family and all my friends."
I nodded, pulling into a parking space at Piazza Venezia. This was one of my favorite spots, they made amazing coffee. I held her door for her, again taking in the differences in her. She carried herself with grace and dignity. Gone was any of the self-consciousness that used to plague her earlier. We picked out a table in the shade and ordered our coffee. "I really love the new sound you've brought to your latest album, it's amazing." She took a sip of her coffee and smiled, "Yeah, I had a great team backing me up, but speaking of albums, I listened to yours, it's fantastic! Little Tommy Q finally went solo." I shook my head, I'd let her get away with that once, but the next time she called me that, it was going to be war.
"Yeah, I had Kwest to thank for that, he pushed me into going public with it." She nodded, her smile brightening, "Kwest and Sadie finally tying the knot. I can't believe it; I thought they'd just circle around the issue forever." I laughed, "Yeah, you should have seen them, one would get serious and the other would start to panic a little until they backed off, and then the tables would turn." It has definitely been a crazy two and a half years. I understood Sadie's side though, she was scared of Kwest falling out of love with her and hurting her like her father did. Jude laughed at the picture I had created in her mind. "Yeah, but she's committed and I'm glad it's with Kwest, I know he'll treat her right." I had a horrible thought in my head and forced the words to come out. "So, are you in a committed relationship, or are you speaking from personal experience?"
Jude lowered her coffee cup, "No, I'm not in a relationship, but yeah, there were a few times I've had my heart handed to me, but it's toughened me up Quincy." I shook my head, wondering who besides Shay and I have hurt her. That's one of the topics Sadie wouldn't talk to Kwest about, Jude's romantic life. I knew from experience that you couldn't believe everything you read in the tabloids either, or else I would have been married three times already. "So, are you going to be signing with G Major for your next album, or are you taking a break?" Georgia would love to have her back on board. The company has been doing great this last year, we've released a bunch of great albums and money has been pouring in.
Jude fiddled with her cup, turning it around and around again before finally setting it down. "I'm not sure, I want to jump right into the studio, but I also think I need some time off, time to get settled in." I nodded, "Yeah, Toronto is a major change after London. Whenever you're ready to get back in the studio, we have an amazing new producer, Jason, he's been with us this past year." She looked up at me, her eyes wounded. "You mean you wouldn't want to produce me?" I reached over and grasped her hand. "No! It's just that I thought you might be more comfortable with someone else, you know, because of our past. It's not like you've kept in touch or anything." She nodded, biting her lower lip. "I know it's my fault we didn't keep in touch, I was just so emotional over everything with Shay, you and my Dad happening at the same time that I just needed some space. It was too late before I realized how much time had flown by. I don't hate you Quincy, its water under the bridge. I just know that we make amazing music together."
I let go of her hand and stood up, "C'mon, let's get back to the studio before Sadie has a chance to elope with Kwest. I think the pressure of the wedding is starting to get to her and she needs you, even if she doesn't say it." Jude smiled up at me, my breath caught in my throat. The sun playing on her hair turned it golden, forming a halo around her face. I thought I was over her; I certainly tried to put her behind me over the years. I guess it didn't work. Once again I held the door open for her. We were both quiet on the drive back to the studio, lost in our own thoughts. She wants me to produce her, water under the bridge? Has she moved on so easily? I thought back to just under three years ago, right before her first tour. We were at the album release party and she had told me she loved me, it had made my heart soar, but I couldn't do anything, she was only sixteen at the time.
I pulled up to the studio, still lost in my thoughts, she'll be nineteen in a month, a voice whispered in my mind. I shook my head and realized she was looking at me funny. "What Harrison? Cat got your tongue?" She smiled, a little sad, "No, just taking in how much you've changed, Tommy." She reached up and traced a few of the lines that appeared while she had been gone, "I'm sorry if you've had a rough few years, I had hoped you were doing okay." I looked at her, seeing she genuinely cared, I opened my mouth to tell her that I was okay but Sadie and Kwest chose that moment to walk over to us. Kwest leaned against my car door, "Sadie has demanded your presence at dinner tonight, you can't refuse or else she'll make my life hell." I looked from him to Sadie; she had her stern expression on. The last time I disobeyed that expression, I was on the receiving end of a flying shoe. Let me tell you, you never want to upset her when she'd armed and dangerous. It didn't help that it was over Kwest either. Anyways, that's a story for another day.
Jude took my decision out of my hands, not that I was going to turn the invite down. "Of course you have to come! It'll be great, we still have so much to catch up on and I can show you some of my new stuff I've been working on!' I smiled, "Okay, I guess I'm coming to dinner." I got out and opened the door for Jude. "So, are you ladies taking off to spend some time together?" Sadie grabbed Jude's hand, "I'm taking her shopping with me, I have to have her opinion on some new clothes I've been looking at." I looked at Kwest and he shrugged, he found out the hard way that shopping with Sadie was an all day experience. "Okay, I guess we'll see you both later once Georgia's through loading us down with work."
I followed Kwest into Studio one, we still had to finish mixing the latest track for Third Eye's album. They have come a long way these last few months. Georgia was starting to breathe down our necks; the deadline for the album was creeping up, meaning a lot of late nights were just around the corner. I took my place at the sound board and started playback on the track. Kwest sat down next to me and looked at me, "So, are we going to talk about this, or pretend that nothing happened?" I looked over at him, trying to decide. I finally nodded and opened up to him, "Yeah, it hit me like a ton of bricks, man. I'm not over her, even though I wish I were." Kwest had been with me, supporting me emotionally when Jude first left. After the first six months, I had gotten myself together, pretending I didn't care that she never wrote or called. It wasn't until her seventeenth birthday that I finally thought I'd put it all behind me. I tried dating, but it just never seemed to work out. I've been single since the last of the three botched attempts ended.
Kwest shook his head, "Man, whatever happens take it slow. I saw something between you two when you were talking. Just, protect your heart Tom. I don't know how much more damaged it can take." I looked up, I had hope if Kwest thought he saw something, but yeah, I'm definitely taking it slow, I already have had too much pain in my life to be leaping before I looked. I nodded at him and went back to work, Georgia told us we weren't leaving until this track was complete.
ISISISISISISISISISISISIS
I pulled up behind Kwest and shut off the engine. Sadie had the windows open and I could hear Jude playing a guitar. I grabbed Kwest's arm to stop him from going up to the front door, somehow I knew she hadn't meant for me to hear this song.
Remember when we were such fools no no
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give anything
Kwest dragged me back to the car and turned on me, "Snap out of it! I told you, take it slow. Yeah, she's pouring her heart out in there, but that doesn't mean everything is fine, okay?" I nodded, knowing he was right. So what that Jude wrote a song that touched my heart, a song that I had a sneaky suspicion that was about us. I took a deep breath and followed Kwest into the house. I gave Sadie a hug before I looked over at Jude, she was putting Kwests' guitar away. "Hey, you guys are earlier than we expected." Kwest kissed Sadie, "That's because I had such a beautiful woman waiting for me at home." I grinned at them, "While you two are making kissy face, I'm going to grab some drinks. Anyone want anything in particular?" Kwest and Sadie just ignored me, I looked over at Jude. She looked across the room towards Sadie and then came rushing over to me, "I'll help you."
I walked to the kitchen and took out some glasses before filling them with ice. I was aware of Jude leaning against the counter, just watching me. I selected Sadie's favorite juice blend and grabbed water for myself. I felt a little uncomfortable with the silence, but continued getting dishes together for dinner. "You seem to know your way around the kitchen; do you spend a lot of time here?" I put the stack of dishes on the counter top and turned to her, "Yeah, Kwest and I remolded most of the kitchen together and I'm a regular for dinner on Wednesdays." I turned to the stove and inspected the pots, lifting lids. "Hmm, she's making fajitas tonight, my favorite." Jude took a sip of the juice I sat next to her. "I didn't know that." I turned and leaned against the counter, facing her. "That I like Sadie's cooking?" She shook her head, "No that you're a regular for dinner, Sadie never mentioned that."
My eyes narrowed, "So, you've been talking about me with Sadie." Jude sat her glass down and picked up the stack of dishes, heading out the door to the dining room, calling over her shoulder, "Not really, just in passing." I didn't know how I should feel, happy that she had been talking to Sadie, or nervous about what might have been said. I shrugged and gathered the glasses and followed her into the other room. I looked over at Kwest, thankful that he'd stop demonstrating how much he had missed Sadie. Sometimes, they were a little too much to handle. I'm happy for them, but sometimes I felt a little jealous, wishing I could have someone to come home to, someone to love and know they felt the same way towards me.
I placed the glasses on the table and looked at Jude; she was watching them and smiling at how happy they were. I moved to stand beside her, "I've never seen Kwest as happy as I see him with her." She looked at me, "I'm glad they're together, she loves him so much." We stood in silence for a moment. She turned and touched my arm, "Do you ever wonder if there's someone out there for everyone?" I looked at her, unsure of what to say. I just decided to go with what I felt, "Yeah, of course there is. Sometimes you meet them at the wrong time though, and you have to wait for the right time to come along for your happy ending, but yeah, everyone has two halves to their souls." She stared into my eyes so intently that I almost felt a blush coming on; I should have just kept my mouth shut. "That's how I feel too."
Kwest saved me from embarrassing myself anymore, "Sit down you two while Sadie and I bring out dinner." I sat down in my normal chair; Jude took the chair next to mine. I looked up as Sadie brought in a steaming platter of sautéed onions and bell peppers, I checked to make sure that she hadn't cooked any red bell peppers tonight, Jude hates them. I sighed as I saw that she hadn't. Jude looked at me, "What, you don't think she cooked enough food?" I frowned, "What?" She laughed my confusion, "Quincy, what was the sigh for?" I shook my head, "It's nothing." I didn't want her knowing that I still knew so much about her, well at least, everything I remembered from almost three years ago. I laughed a full bellied laugh; it was kind of funny though, the fact that I still worried over the small things when it came to her. Sadie looked at me as she placed another platter on the table, "That's the first time I've heard you laugh like that in a long time." I wiped the tears from my eyes, yeah, maybe it wasn't that funny, but I think I'm losing my mind from Jude overload.
"Yeah, it's been awhile, I just had a weird thought, that's all." I held up a hand at Jude's questioning look, "No, it's not for sharing." Kwest brought in the last platter and after he seated himself beside Sadie, we started eating. I followed the conversation between Sadie and Jude over wedding plans. I didn't contribute much, just content to take it all in. I hadn't realized that Jude had been uptight earlier, but as I watched her, I could see her unwind, her posture softening, her smile coming more easily as the meal wore on. I looked up as Sadie stood up, "Everybody has room for dessert, right?" We all nodded, so she walked into the kitchen and returned with Kwest's favorite, lemon cake with cream cheese frosting.
Kwest served the cake, and looked and looked at me, "You owe me five bucks man." I laughed, we had bet before leaving the studio on what desert was going to be. Sadie normally tried to keep it even with everyone's favorites. Jude looked at Kwest, "What was the bet?" Kwest gave Sadie a kiss on the cheek, "If it would be chocolate cake tonight. I admit, I had the upper hand, I already knew what was for dinner, Tommy didn't." I threw my napkin at him, "Hey, that's unfair! You cheated so I don't think I should have to pay up." Sadie grabbed my napkin and threw it back to me, "Yeah, what about the time when you bet me Kwest wouldn't drink sprite? You swore the day before that he hated the stuff!" I laughed and looked at Kwest as he glared at me, "I drank that vile stuff because of you?" He pretended he was strangling me, all the while laughing. Sadie kissed him, "I loved that you drank it because I asked. I love you." I looked up as Jude stood up, "Sorry guys, it's been a long day and I should get some rest." We all stood up as Jude went into the other room to grab her purse and jacket. I watched Jude hug them and noticed she seemed tense again. I put it to the back of my mind for later. I opened the door for her and smiled at her as she moved past me, "Bye Harrison, see you around." She gave me a small nod before leaving.
I closed the door and went into the dining room to help with the clean up. I noticed Sadie looking thoughtful as she was collecting empty dishes. "Penny for your thoughts." She handed me the stack of dishes to take into the kitchen, "Jude's hiding something and I don't know what it is. At times she seems so relaxed, but then she tenses up for no apparent reason." I nodded; I was glad that I wasn't the only one to notice. I walked into the kitchen and had to stifle my laugh; Kwest was wearing an apron while washing the dishes. He turned at my choked laughter, "Sadie and I have plans later and I didn't want to get messy, so shove it." I dumped the dishes in the sink and saluted, "Have fun, I'll see you guys later." I turned around and kissed Sadie on the cheek as she walked in, "Thanks for dinner Sadie, it was great as usual." She smiled, "We always love having you here, don't become a stranger just because Jude is back." I nodded and left, even though tomorrow was Saturday, I still had to be in the studio early. I talked Georgia into not calling Kwest in, he and Sadie needed some time together to organize the wedding. I realized as I slid into my car that Jude never showed me her new material tonight. Maybe I'd have an excuse to call her later in the week.