Chapter 8:
She was going home. And she couldn't have been happier. She had spent three days in the hospital and she was more than ready to be freed from there. Her stay in the hospital had been eye-opening where Tommy was concerned. She had seen a different side of him; he had been incredible, almost never leaving her side. He only left the hospital to shower and change and then he returned to her hospital room. He had slept in her hospital room at night, regardless of Jude's insistence that he would be more comfortable at Mason's apartment or even a hotel. She had insisted that Sadie and her dad return to Toronto the day after she had been admitted. She knew they both had lives, jobs and more important things to do than sit around a hospital waiting for the doctors to release her. She had begun to tell Tommy the same thing, that he could return to Toronto without her, and he had interrupted her with a simple "No."
Jude was sitting on her hospital bed, fully dressed, waiting for her release papers to be processed. The doctor had given her a clean bill of health, just warning her to avoid stress. Tommy had promised the doctor that he would make the happen, which seemed completely ironic to Jude since Tommy had always been the source of most of her stress. But now that they were getting along and everything was out in the open, Jude did have to admit that she felt much more relaxed. Except for telling the remaining friends that didn't know and dealing with the press, all she had to do for the next nine months was prepare for her baby.
Tommy was out in the hall, on his cell phone, making flight arrangements to Toronto. Jude could hear his voice spread into her room every so often, his voice a comfort. This was a major change, considering just over a month ago Jude had decided to rid her life of Tommy for good. And yet, here they were, friends again. Jude could barely believe how good things with Tommy were. They had settled back into their old friendship, one of teasing and joking, that they had begun when Tommy initially became her producer. It was like nothing had changed – except something major had changed. They now had two failed relationship attempts between them and they were having a baby together. It mystified her that they were even speaking after all they had been through. But they were, and Jude was so happy.
She kept warning herself not to be too happy with Tommy. That's how all the problems began in the first place. She wanted to be his friend, that's it. No matter how much her heart, her body and her soul ached for a deeper connection with Tommy, she couldn't allow it. She had to shield her heart from the kind of hurt he always seemed to bring her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She looked up to see Mason, leaning against the doorframe.
"Hey Mama Harrison. How are we feeling today?" He asked, gesturing towards her stomach.
"I'm fine, the baby's fine. We're both anxious to get out of this hospital, though," Jude replied, motioning for Mason to come and sit on the bed with her.
"I heard Tommy in the hall making flight arrangements. I guess that means you're leaving me, huh?" Mason said, sadness evident in his eyes.
Jude smiled sympathetically. "Mason I had such a good time here. Besides, you know exactly where I'll be."
"And if I can't find you, I'll phone Tommy. Because I'm pretty sure he plans on attaching himself to your side," Mason said, chuckling.
"Stop that," Jude said jokingly, pointing her finger at him. "We're just-"
"Friends, I know. So I've been told," Mason said, smirking.
"We are!" Jude said indignantly, punching him lightly.
"Now, that's not fair because I can't punch you back."
"Says who?" Jude asked.
"Says me," Tommy injected lightly as he came into the room, "No hitting pregnant girls, especially my pregnant girl."
Jude raised her eyebrows at his possessive statement, glaring at him.
Tommy, smirking despite himself, began to explain and then stopped. "Oh, you know what I meant," he said, laughing. Jude was afraid she knew exactly what he meant. She longed to be his girl again, she never stopped wanting that. But she couldn't, and her brain knew exactly why. Explaining it to her heart was more difficult.
"Anyway," Jude said, deciding that a change of subject was a smart idea, "have you heard when I might be released?"
"I'll go check at the nurse's station," Tommy said, strolling out of the room.
Jude looked towards Mason who had a knowing look on his face.
"Shut up!" Jude said.
"I didn't say anything," Mason replied, holding his hands up defensively.
"No, but you were thinking that you're right about Tommy and me. And you're not. Friends. That's it."
"I think someone forgot to inform Tommy," Mason quipped, still smirking.
Jude glared at him. "I hate you, you know," she joked.
"No you don't. You love me. And I love you. And I'll miss you, Mama Harrison." Mason said, the sadness returning to his eyes again.
"I told you I was hormonal," Jude said, her eyes tearing up, "You're going to make me cry. And I do love you. You're a great friend and I'll never forget it." Jude pulled him into a hug, kissing his cheek lightly.
"No wonder you wanted me out of the room," Tommy said, coming back in the door with papers in his hand, "You wanted me out so you could make your move on her," he joked, smiling, fully aware of Mason's sexual orientation.
Mason laughed loudly. "Sorry, Jude. But you're just not my type."
She smiled but was distracted by the papers in Tommy's hand. "Are those what I'm hoping they are?" she asked hopefully.
Tommy handed her the papers, "Just sign on the line and we're out of here." He handed her a pen and she scribbled her signature. "We'll return those to the desk on the way out," Tommy said, taking the papers back and putting an arm around Jude's back to help her get down from the bed.
"I'm okay," she assured him, but he left his arm around her waist anyway. Mason winked at her secretly, that devious smirk returning to his face, and it took all Jude's willpower to stop herself from kicking him. He was determined to turn Tommy's attentiveness into something more. She had to admit normally she would have read more into it too, but she had made her intentions clear to Tommy. So instead of analysing what he was doing, she simply enjoyed the feel of his arm around her and kept walking. Tommy walked over to the desk to return the papers and Jude smacked Mason lightly. "Stop that!" she whispered. He just laughed lightly and Tommy looked at them both oddly as he returned to Jude's side.
When they reached the cab that Tommy had called to pick them up, it was time to say 'goodbye' to Mason. Tommy shook his hand, and thanked him sincerely for looking after Jude and their baby. Mason smiled in return, and Jude grabbed him in a tight hug, tears in both of their eyes.
"I'll come to Toronto as soon as my album is wrapped, I promise."
"You better!" Jude said.
"Take care and I'll see you as soon as I can!" Mason said, "Bye!" Then he walked to his own car and took off for the studio.
"I'm going to miss him," Jude said simply as she and Tommy stood, watching him drive away.
Tommy put his arm around her shoulders, bringing her close. "I know. But you'll see him soon."
She smiled at the closeness, enjoying the safety she always felt when wrapped in Tommy's arms.
"Well, we better get going," she said, finally. Tommy released her and then opened the door of the cab for her to get in. Tommy put Jude's bags, which he had previously picked up at Mason's, into the trunk, and settled into the back of the cab beside her.
As the driver made his way to the airport, Tommy put his arm around Jude's shoulders. "You happy to be going home?" he asked, leaning close to her.
"I am," she said, turning towards him. "I'll be relieved when everyone knows and the baby isn't some big secret anymore."
"Me too," he said simply. The rest of the cab ride was spent in a comfortable silence, neither one needing to say anything. They were both absorbed in thoughts of going home, and what new challenges going home would present.
As they boarded the plane, Jude was glad that Tommy had been able to procure two first class tickets. She had to admit, she was looking forward to the extra comfort that first class provided. But because it was such a last minute trip, they weren't seated together. As Jude made her way to her seat, a row ahead and across the aisle from where Tommy was sitting, she saw that the other seat was already occupied.
"Hello," the man said, smiling, making room for Jude to get to her seat at the window. As soon as she was seated, he turned towards her, "My name is Kevin O'Connell. And I have to admit I already know who you are, Jude Harrison. My ex-girlfriend was a huge fan of yours." He smiled at her again, and she had to admit he was very cute. Nothing like Tommy's stunning good looks but he was cute, with light brown hair and glasses, which made him look intellectual.
As she turned towards him, she caught a glimpse of Tommy, who was glaring angrily at Kevin. It's going to be a long flight, she thought to herself.
She made conversation with Kevin, every so often looking back slightly, noticing that Tommy, who was sitting beside a beautiful young woman, was still glaring in Kevin's direction. When the flight attendant brought around complimentary champagne, Jude refused and Kevin looked at her curiously.
"I'm pregnant," she said, answering his look.
"Oh really? Wow, congratulations," he said, clearly surprised.
Their conversation was interrupted when Kevin felt a strong poke on his shoulder. Jude looked up to see Tommy standing in the aisle, "Excuse me," he said, barely containing his fury, "could I ask a favour of you? Could we possibly switch seats? This is my girlfriend and I was hoping we could sit together."
Jude was about to interject, to say that wasn't necessary, when she looked into Tommy's eyes and saw the barely suppressed jealousy. She kept quiet, thinking to herself that she was happy she still brought those feelings out in him. Although she'd have to set him straight about him calling her his girlfriend.
"Of course," Kevin said, unbuckling his seat belt and gathering his things. He turned towards Jude, "It was nice to meet you." Then he vacated his seat and moved to his new seat while Tommy sat down next to Jude.
Jude just stared at him, not saying a word. He turned towards her, noticing her gaze. "What?" he asked.
"What was that all about, Tommy? Your girlfriend?"
Tommy looked at her, questioningly. "What did you want me to do, explain the whole story?"
"You could have just stayed in your own seat," Jude mused, grabbing a magazine out of her purse.
"No," Tommy muttered softly, "believe me, I couldn't." Jude decided to leave the issue alone, focusing on her magazine.
Within half an hour, she began yawning widely, but she couldn't find a comfortable position to get to sleep. Tommy noticed this, lifting the arm rest between them, and lifting his arm for her to snuggle beside him.
She looked at him puzzled. Friends didn't do things like that. "Do you want a nice nap, or not?" He asked. "We've napped together before, remember?" Of course, she remembered. Besides sleeping in his arms every night in Thailand, on her seventeenth birthday, when they'd been trapped inside the old club, she had slept in his arms. And she could say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that sleeping in Tommy's arms always was the best sleep she had ever had. She really couldn't resist sleeping like that again.
She moved tentatively towards him, and nestled her head against his shoulder, placing her arms on his chest. And within minutes they were both sleeping soundly.
They arrived at the airport in Toronto at 10:00 pm. They were both still tired, a few hours of sleep on the plane never enough, regardless of how nice it had been. And Jude had to admit it had been blissful lying in his arms again. They made their way to Tommy's car, Tommy not allowing Jude to carry anything, and began on their way home. Jude wasn't sure where that was. Was Tommy going to take her to her house or to his? She had agreed to live with him, but did that start tonight?
Tommy drove quickly, pulling into his driveway in twenty minutes. He hadn't given her a choice. He didn't intend to take her home and give her any excuse to stay there any longer than one night.
He got out of the car, Jude following suit and he grabbed her bags from the car. They approached his front door and paused as Tommy pulled out his keys. He unlocked and opened the door and turned towards Jude.
"Welcome home," he said, smiling. Jude couldn't help but smile back as she followed him in, thinking that there really was nowhere she'd rather be, regardless of how complicated their relationship was. Friends, she told herself silently. Just friends. Why did she have the feeling she'd be telling herself that a lot?
