A/N: I know it bothered a few of you about Jude not searching for Tommy more, but I think this chapter will explain a bit more why she didn't run after him. Basically, Jude understands that Tommy needs his space. She's worried about him, hence why she's calling him, but she knows he needs his own time. That make any sense what so ever? I hope that cleared stuff up. Anyway, I've been writing like a FIEND to this chapter. I have to warn, the rating will be going up for the next chapter. For a section of it, anyway. I haven't decided how I want to designate quiet yet, but…well, I don't want to be responsible for the corruption of youth. :D I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll get the next one ready for uploading soon! Just need the perfect chapter ending. Later!

Chapter 23
Later That Day

The morning went by and then the afternoon and I still hadn't heard from Tommy. I tried his cell several times to no success. I was frustrated at the blow off and, at the same time, understood his need to be alone. But I was worried about him. I was worried he was going to do something stupid and I would lose him.

I picked up the phone and dialed a number I found in the phonebook. I waited impatiently for the person to pick up. On the fourth ring, I got an answer.

"Hello?"

"Kelly?" I asked carefully, hoping this was the same man I had lunch with the other day.

"Yes…may I ask whose calling?"

"This is Jude, Jude Harrison…"

"OH! Jude!" He said excitedly and I sighed in relief. "How are you girl?"

"I'm…good."

"That doesn't sound too promising." I smiled sadly at the tone he used.

"I'm worried about Tommy…it's why I'm calling." I said and I could feel Kelly's demeanor change over the phone.

"What'd the bloody arse do now?" I laughed at the British slang and told Kelly about Celeste.

"Oh…"

"Yeah. I was just wondering…have you seen or heard from Tom? I called his cell, but he's not answering."

"No Honey, I haven't seen him since lunch the other day." Kelly told me and I felt my heart sink. "Let me make some calls, visit a few old haunts, and I'll give you a call back, kay?"

"Thanks Kelly."

"It's no problem Jude. I'm worried too." Kelly told me and hung up the phone. I sighed as I hung up my cell and I tried Tommy's phone again, only for it to go straight to voice mail.

I sighed in frustration and shoved the phone back in my pocket. Where are you Tommy? I wondered as I tried to pass some time by watching the TV, but nothing could take my mind off of Tommy.

"Jude?" I turned around and saw Adele standing in the doorway.

"Hey," I greeted. Adele walked into the room and sat down next to me.

The older woman and I had talked about Celeste's passing earlier today. She began having complications around 4:00 am. After that began, the nurses and doctors were in and out of the room regularly. Adele said she thought about calling Tommy so many times, but she wanted him to get some sleep as well. So, she waited. Around 5:15 am, Celeste went into cardiac arrest. She was shoved from the room and she jumped on her cell and called Tommy. He didn't answer, obviously and she kept trying to get through, not wanting to call the house and wake up Serena, which apparently, she ended up doing.

When she was on the phone with Tommy, the doctor came out to her. She hung up with him and listened to the doctor. He told Adele that they did everything they could, but Celeste was just too weak. They couldn't save her.

"Any luck getting a hold of my brother?" She asked me and I shook my head.

"No, he's not answering his cell." Adele nodded.

"Give him time." She told me and I sighed.

"I know I shouldn't be mad or hurt by the brushoff, but I just want to know that he's ok."

"I understand." Adele told me, placing a hand on my knee.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," Adele said with a sigh.

"Are you ok?" I asked her and she sighed again.

"I like to think that Mom's in a better place. That her pain and suffering is over and she can be with Dad again, where she was happy." She said with a small smile. I nodded in understanding. "But at the same time…"

"Yeah. It's got to be hard." Adele shrugged. "Can I…can I ask you a question?" I asked her and Adele looked questioningly at me. "About Serena?"

"If you want." Adele stated and it was my turn to sigh.

"I've been wondering…for awhile…where's her father?"

"Serena is better off without him." Adele told me, a bit harshly.

"I didn't mean to pry, I was just…"

"I know, but…I don't like to talk about him." Adele said and I felt awkward for bringing up something painful for her. Adele sighed and stood up.

"Adele, I'm"

"It's fine." She said curtly, cutting me off. "I'm going to make dinner…seeing as my brothers are missing, am I to count you in as well?"

"Yeah, want help?" I asked and she shook her head and began walking from the room. Wait…"Wait, Adele…Chris is missing too?"

"I haven't seen either of them since this morning." She said looking hurt and left the room.

I couldn't help but frown at the news. Both Tommy and Chris had run off? Where were they? I wondered.

I looked at my cell once more and sighed. I picked it up and hit the redial. Voice mail, again. I left a hundredth message, not bothering to hope for a call back and hung up, setting my cell next to me.