Updaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime
Nada was grateful for the warm greeting she received from the girls of the former Young Trib force, but she did sense some coldness from Shelly. She guessed why. Shelly seemed to be Vicki's best friend and Nada assumed that with that being the case, Vicki had probably told Shelly everything. But while Shelly was cold, Vicki was as friendly as ever.
"Where are you going to be staying Nada while you're here?" Darrion asked.
"Um. I'm not sure." Nada replied, "To be honest, I didn't really plan a lot of this trip. I just trusted that God would provide."
"You can stay at our place." Vicki said, and Shelly elbowed her in a failed attempt to be subtle.
"No." Nada said, "I can't do that. I wouldn't want to impose on you and Judd like that."
Shelly muttered something.
"It's fine." Vicki replied. "We have a spare room, we can put you up in there."
Vicki mentally kicked herself as she offered Nada her spare room, but something was compelling her to play host to this girl.
"Are you sure?" Nada asked, "Because I don't want to impose."
Vicki smiled and put a hand on her shoulder, "It will be fine."
Vicki didn't know if she could believe herself.
After visiting with the girls, Vicki took Nada back to her house for lunch. Judd was preparing the food when they arrived.
"I'm going to go set up the guest room." Vicki said, "You two probably want to catch up."
Judd shot a look at Vicki and raised an eyebrow. She looked back and pulled a face that was barely readable.
Nada felt awkward watching this unspoken exchange of thoughts.
Vicki left the main living area and disappeared into the hall.
Judd glanced up from chopping tomatoes and looked at Nada.
"Have a seat." He offered, pointing to the stools on the opposite side of the kitchen counter.
She moved to the counter and hopped up onto one of the stools.
"So." She started, "I was correct then?"
"Sorry?" Judd said.
"I was correct in my assumption that you would not progress with our relationship because there was someone else." Nada remained composed.
Judd sighed, "Yeah."
Nada took a deep breath. "I don't think she likes me."
Judd smiled, "Vicki likes everyone. But you have to see why she might feel uneasy."
Nada nodded, "You never really told me about your friends over here. Tell me your story."
"Our story?"
"Of how you came to be together."
"I met Vick the day after the disappearances. She was a messed up kid from the local trailer park who would do anything to appear older and rebellious. She was pretty stubborn and had a lot of attitude." Judd smiled as he remembered, "I remember thinking she was pretty, but she was hiding behind a ton of black makeup and leather so I also thought she looked kinda scary.
"She kept me company when I had to go and find my dads car that I'd lost in the airport-" he raised his hand, "that is a long story in itself." Nada smiled.
"When I went to take her back home, her trailer had been burned to the ground, so I offered her a place to stay at my house."
"You lived together?" Nada said.
"Not in a sketchy way." Judd said, "She stayed on one floor and me on the other. My family had a pretty big house. We both became Christians at the same time and did a lot of life together along with Lionel and our other friend Ryan. We had some pretty crazy adventures, and we got really close. I had feelings for her, but I didn't think she felt the same way. We started fighting a lot. I was stubborn and bossy and never let her have a say. I was a real jerk." Judd looked down and shook his head, "We were on pretty bad terms when I left for Israel."
"And there you met me, and we happened, and then I… died." Nada said, "What happened then?"
"Well I got your letter and at first was in complete denial. But it didn't take me long to realise that you were right. But I thought she hated me for being such a jerk. It took me and Lionel a real long time to get back here, but we did eventually and I managed to patch things up with her. Turns out she didn't hate me and she had a thing for me all along. So we rekindled our friendship and then just became more than friends. We ended up getting married about a year before the Glorious Appearing."
"Did you make it to then?" she asked.
Judd smiled, "Yeah, we did. It was the single greatest moment of my life."
Nada lowered her head, "I'm sorry I came here."
"You don't need to be sorry." He said, throwing the tomatoes in the salad bowl, "But why did you come?"
"Judd, I love my family, but I had to get out." Nada said.
"Why?"
"You know what I'm like, Judd!" she laughed "I like doing things! Father was more protective of me than ever when we were reunited at the Glorious Appearing and hasn't really let me out of his sight since. And like I said, I wanted to meet the Young Trib Force."
"Did Vicki introduce you to the girls?"
"Yes." Nada nodded, "They were all really welcoming. Except the tall, dark haired one… Shelly I think?"
Judd smiled, "Shelly is Vicki's best girl friend and has been for years, so she probably felt obligated to be cold to you until Vick gave her the go ahead."
"Oh I see," Nada replied with a smile, "You two are really happy aren't you."
Judd looked her directly in the eye, "I have never been happier than I am with Vick. She's my best friend and I love her more than words could ever say."
Vicki came in from the guest room, "Did I miss anything?"
"Just talking about you." Judd smiled.
"Only good things I hope." Vicki smirked.
"Of course." Judd replied.
Nada smiled. She couldn't deny it. Judd was so happy. And despite any feelings she had for him in the past, seeing him that happy, made her heart happy, and any lingering feelings were washed away in that very moment.
Judd couldn't believe that Vicki was being so gracious in letting Nada stay with them. That night as they were getting ready for bed he let her know.
"You're incredible." He said as he sat on the bed and took his shoes off.
"Why?" she asked, brushing her teeth.
"I don't know many women who would let their husband's ex stay in their house."
Vicki smiled, "Judd, I wasn't thrilled when she turned up here, don't get me wrong, but Nada is a good person… and I'm not that insecure."
She flounced over to their bed and flopped in beside him, "Besides, I've got the ring."
Judd laughed, "You're a dork."
"You are." She teased, lightly punching his arm.
She snuggled in beside him and they both stared at the ceiling.
"You really are amazing though." He said, turning his head to face her.
"You are too." She smiled, rolling over and cuddling up to his side.
"Goodnight beautiful." He kissed the top of her head.
"Goodnight." She replied.
Vicki smiled as she felt any resentment she felt towards Nada melt away. She was blissfully happy. She had over heard what Judd had said earlier. Her husband loved her and she knew it, and now maybe, she'd be able to become friends with Nada. She did seem like a lovely person. As she listened to the soothing heartbeat of the love of her life next to her, Vicki couldn't imagine being any happier than she was in that moment.
Awwwwww Judd loves Vicki a lot. Duh, I've suspected that since book 1. And how great is Vicki? Maybe her and Nada can be BFF's now.
Peace x
