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Chapter 2: Happy Birthday

"Oh my goodness, Jude! Where are you?! I've been going crazy looking for you at this airport!" Sadie's voice boomed through Jude's phone making her have to move it away from her ear.

"Sadie, I'm so sorry, I caught an earlier flight and had my phone off so I didn't get your calls." Jude waited for her sister to begin yelling again. Instead she heard a deep sigh from the other end.

"I'm just glad you're ok. I was worried something had happened. I'll be home in a few". Sadie hung up the phone.

Jude stared at her phone like it had grown legs. That couldn't have been her sister on the phone. She was completely mild mannered, calm and understanding. Clearly not Sadie.

Jude went ahead and started her preparations for her special dinner. She took a long soak in the tub, curled her newly trimmed long light brown hair, and applied a minimal amount of make-up. Now all that was left was an outfit. Not really knowing where they were dining she opted for a little black dress. You can never go quite wrong with that. Sleeveless and hitting just above her knees, Jude liked the way she looked in the mirror and when arriving in the living room, Darius thought so too.

"Whoa! Did I pick the wrong sister?" Darius laughed and Sadie playfully punched him in the arm.

Sadie came straight towards her with arms open wide, "I missed you so much! I'm so glad you are home." They embraced for a few seconds longer and Sadie stepped back to take a better look at her baby sister. "Brown, huh? I hope you didn't do it yourself this time". They both shared a smile, "You look very sophisticated. Let's go before we miss our reservation".

Rushing out the door and into Darius' chauffeured car they were able to make their 6:30 reservation at an exclusive restaurant across town. After ordering drinks, Jude had to ask, "So am I the awkward third wheel or will there be some others joining us?"

"Yes, Jude. They should be here any minute." Sadie replied. "I'm going to the ladies room, excuse me."

"Oh, I'll go too!" Jude jumped up to follow her sister and Darius made a sarcastic comment under his breath.

"So…."Jude wanted to know all about how Sadie got herself involved with Darius once AGAIN and Sadie knew exactly that's what Jude wanted to hear.

"I don't know. It always just seems to happen! After Kwest, we have just been drawn to each other. No matter if we argue or fight, cheat or lie we always find a way back. Sort of like you and…" Sadie stopped short of mentioning his name, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good evening.

Walking into her studio, Jude found her new London label mate, Katherine, sitting at the sound board. "What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting to see you until tonight." Jude said placing her bag on the floor and flopping into the seat next to her.

"Well you seem alright…." Katherine said eyeing Jude warily.

"What are you talking about?"

"You must not know then."

"Ok, what is it?" Jude was growing impatient with the run around.

Katherine gave her one last glance before turning around and handing Jude a magazine, 'Entertainment Everyday'. The headline read 'Little Tommy Q: All Grown Up'. Jude laughed and let out a small snort.

"Read it, hun", Katherine urged.

"Little Tommy Q is all grown up and moving on with his career. After zooming out of his boy band phase and taking a stop with producing, Thomas Quincy is ready to take the stage once more with his own album. We got a chance to meet up with Mr. Quincy and rack his brain on what his new album will entail as well as some personal questions regarding his historic love life.

EE: So why the long wait from leaving Boyz Attack and now finally making a record of your own?

TQ: Well, I did leave Boyz Attack to make my own record as you may know but I found another passion in the process which was producing. So I never stopped wanting to come out with my own album, I just started doing some other things as well as….I've always been writing and recording though.

EE: How would you describe this album?

TQ: That's a good question. I don't know. It's such a combination of things from having romantic love songs to songs about heartbreak and destruction. It's a complete story of my life since Boyz Attack.

EE: That sounds amazing. I got to hear your upcoming single "Still On My Mind', and I must say, heart wrenching! What was your inspiration? Lost love?

TQ: (laughing) You are correct. Not really lost, just on hold, I hope.

EE: I'm going to assume we are talking about your last public romance with Jude Harrison?

TQ: You would be right. We have gone through ups and downs but there is no mistake that she is the one for me. I have never loved anyone as much as I love her and I am so proud of what she is doing to better her career and her music right now."

Jude's eyes had gone cloudy and she couldn't read anymore. Katherine pulled her into a hug.

"And the make-up part….whoa mama!" Sadie was cheesing from ear to ear. Jude almost threw up in the sink.

"Don't want to know."

"I don't know if I love him or if we just are lusting after each other. We are both so aggressive and power hungry, yes I can say it now, I don't know if this is healthy. You know?" Sadie finished touching up her lipstick and they made their way back to the table to find that Spiederman and Karma had joined them. They gave warm hugs and kisses to each other.

"Karma! Are you getting fat or did Spied knock you up?" Jude was staring at Karma's small pouch in front of her. She didn't try to hide it in her fitted off-the-shoulder knee length dress though. Karma will make sure she looks hot no matter what the condition.

"Yes I am pregos. We wanted it to be a surprise so we didn't tell you. I'm only 4 months along." Karma was still beaming. And Spied couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"I never would have thought." Jude sat admiring the happy couple. "Karma fat". Everyone laughed and Karma glared at Jude. Jude blew kisses and Karma threw a biscuit.

"Hey! This is a classy place!" Sadie hissed.

"Happy birthday, Jude!" Jaime exclaimed as he came up behind Jude and placed a warm kiss on her forehead. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too! I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen you, where is Zepplin?" Jaime and Zepplin had only been together for a couple of months despite their obvious attraction to each other and the fact they were having sex. Everyone thought it was annoying and all were relieved when they finally made it official.

"She is helping Wally and Kyle find a place to park. I just had to get in here to see my best friend though." Jaime sat next to Jude and greeted everyone else. After a few minutes of small talk and catching up after the entire group had arrived, they were all ready to order.

After dinner, everyone was comfortable and chatting among each other when Spied stood for a toast. "I would like to welcome Jude back to Earth. I hope you find another new beginning here to be as exciting as the one you claimed you had on Mars. I hope you get everything you want for your birthday and may the gift opening begin."

Everyone clapped and Jude began opening the first present given to her. She cooed at the photo album of past memories, laughed at the book on how to speak American English, and especially enjoyed her necklace of the globe. "To remind you that you can conquer the world." Jaime embraced Jude for a minute and then awkwardly backed away to face his girlfriend.

Jude stood up this time. "I want to thank all of you for celebrating my birthday with me tonight. I can't tell you how much you mean to me and how much I have missed being in your presence." Jude teared up a little but brushed it away. "I am so grateful to have been able to travel halfway across the world and experience a new way of life and also to find out who I really am. I want to thank you for supporting me and still being there for me when I needed you. I love you all so very much…even you Darius." Everyone laughed and clapped. Darius even stood up to take a bow. Suddenly one by one the laughter ceased and the clapping slowed to none. Everyone was looking directly behind Jude.

"What?" Jude gave a nervous laugh thinking everyone was looking at her. Slowly turning around to see what everyone was gawking at…Jude saw Tommy.