Crawling Back to You Chapter Twenty Four, an instant star fanfic

A/N Songs used and/or mentioned: That's Where You Find Love; Westlife, Butterfly Kisses; Bob Carlisle, I Love You; Amy Grant, I Do; Westlife

This, my lovely faithful and loyal readers is the final chapter for this story, but never fear! I am leaving you a teaser which will be posted within this story after this chapter. So I hope to see all of you there as well as new readers! Thanks again for all of your wonderful words! I really appreciate them all!

Also I want to apologize for taking so long to post this. Things have been hectic and I have had computer problems. Mostly where msword wants to keep losing have of the chapter I am working on for the new story every time my computer runs out of battery power and shuts down. Or when it updates while I'm asleep. This is what I get for not remembering to save before I leave!

Also thank you to Dark-Wiccan-Goddess for pointing out the formatting error!

Chapter Twenty Four

The Epilogue

It was two months after the birth of their baby girl, Harmony Lyric, that Tommy and Jude finally announced their engagement to everyone. They chose to make their grand announcement on her return to work and the party welcoming her back and welcoming Harmony into the G-Major family. Everyone wanted to throttle them for holding out for two whole months but they were also overjoyed that the pair finally came to this stage of their relationship and their lives. Sadie and Karma immediately offered to help plan the wedding and Karma even managed to not try and manipulate her way into the bridal party! Actually she seemed quite content to just be involved in the planning.

While Darius couldn't take credit for introducing them he fully took credit for their opportunity to make it this far both in the business and with each other. "After all if I hadn't bought the label from Georgia you two would never have worked together past your first album!" That was his little prideful moment, right before he offered to finance the entire event with the minor stipulation of course that a few select media personnel could attend. Reluctantly he even agreed to allow them to choose which ones could attend, so long as he also got the feature story and best photos for Solid.

All in all in the six months it took them to put the spring wedding together things went smoothly for a change. No one was in an accident, or kidnapped. The only high stress moment between the couple was when it came to telling and inviting his mother and brother. In the end he gave in of course and to his surprise they'd both agree to attend and his brother promised to keep himself and their mother in line and not ruin the event in any fashion. Tristan had cheated of course and used Jude's name to pull it off, for some reason while she still couldn't stand Tom she was warming, seeming to come more into the now as she was absolutely in love with Jude and wanted the girl to be a permanent fixture in her life, even if Tom was the method it took.

In the middle of all the planning Sadie even managed to track down their absent parents, though the only one Jude was willing to allow at the wedding was their father no matter what she or Tom said. Tom couldn't even use the fact she'd talked him into having his mother and brother there to his defense. So in the end Sadie and Tom took the win they had and left well enough alone, getting him ready to walk his baby girl down the isle and convincing him Tom was really the best person for his youngest daughter and the best father for his first grandchild, especially seeing as he is the biological father.

On Sunday April 21st nearly a thousand people were assembled in the backyard of one of Darius' mansions on white folding chairs. The isle side of the chairs is trimmed in white and pastel blue ribbons and carnations with baby's breath. On the ground is a red carpet leading up to the gazebo that had been assembled and all the way back to an arch covered in vines and white roses which would serve as the starting place for the wedding party.

Darius had set up a room for the men to prepare in and one for the women on opposite sides of the mansion with their own entrances, mostly to make it easier for them to keep Tom and Jude apart until the ceremony. The previous night he'd even had the entire wedding party sleep here at the mansion to force the couple to stick to that particular wedding tradition, so you can imagine how antsy the two of them are after being apart for over twenty-four hours. Though if the bridal party were to compare notes this morning the men would swear Tom was worse than his future wife having been kept not only from Jude but Harmony on top of it! The man had been climbing the walls until Kwest snuck a few shots into him, enough to mellow him out but not end up with him plastered and then hung over for his wedding. After all he did value his own life.

The men are now in their prep room helping Tom get dressed, keep his nerves reasonably calm with his usual cup of coffee, and of course working on his vows. After scraping the twentieth set he throws his hands up in frustration, his sleeves flapping around as he hadn't put the cufflinks in yet, "Why did I agree to this?!"

Jamie looks up, still shocked he had even been allowed to be involved, asked in fact, asks; "The wedding or the vows?"

Tom looks at him as though he's the biggest idiot in the world, "Of course the vows Andrews!"

Kwest and Speid both roll their eyes but it's Speid for a change that gets up to diffuse the situation when he sees Tom start to get that seething look he gets right before he does something stupid. He walks up beside him and lightly lays an arm around the older man's shoulder despite the death glare he receives, "Look Squinty, you've helped dude write beautiful music for years now the words are in you dude. What you've got to do is relax and think about her. View this as though it's just going to be the two of you and you want to verbalize what she already knows. You want her to hear from you just what she means to you, just what she is to you, and why you want to spend the rest of your life by her side. Just think like a musician."

It's not until Speid is about half way done talking that they can all see Tom start to simmer down and even fall into deep thought. "Could you guys excuse me for a few minutes? I promise I'm not sneaking off to see her. I don't care if you guys guard the door; I just need a few minutes alone to do this."

They all nod but while Darius, Jamie, and Kwest all walk out of the room Speid stays for a minute, "Look I know we've not always gotten along Tom, but you're marrying my best friend so I don't want this truce to remain an act we put on for her sake. I don't love her in the same sense you do, but I do love her and her happiness is the most important thing to me, to all of us. I saw it first, what is really between you two, before the relationship. I've known for a long time that you had her heart in a way no one else ever…" His sentence dies as Tom interrupts him.

"Look Vin, no offense I know you're her best friend but Jamie beat you to the protecting her lecture, as did Stuart before him," Tom interjects.

"This isn't about that. I'm not asking you to take care of her or protect her. I figured those two would do that so I've taken it upon myself to cover something no one else is going to. After all your mom is a bit off, no offense, and I have no idea what the situation is with your dad dude's never filled me in, but I know he's not out there." He pauses putting his hands in the pockets of his slacks as he rocks back and forth on his heels nervously. He knows what he wants to say and that he's right, but he's still unsure how Quincy is going to react. "So the point I am trying to make is this; let her take care of you. It's no secret you'll take care of her, everyone knows that. But I know the hardest part for you is letting her take care of you. I've watched your self-destructive pattern whenever you're hurting and while she's the only one who seems capable of diffusing you, you still don't let her take care of you. You're both going to need that. It's actually more important than people realize that something so simple is a two-way street. It doesn't mean you can't go talk to Kwest or any of us about something, like when she's the reason, you know before you talk to her. She'll probably do the same thing, but it's still you who is going to fix her heart when it breaks, not us. So it needs to be the same with you, stop guarding it. You're marrying her dude." He gives him that nervous goofy smile of his before clapping his hand on Tom's should briefly. He doesn't give Tom a chance to really process what he's said enough to respond before he walks out of the room, leaving him to think and work on his vows and allow him to go lecture his best bud, while a surprise visitor walks into the room in his place.

On the other side of the mansion the girls are helping each other into their gowns while Jude paces the floor half dressed trying to figure out her vows as well, in an adjoining room. Speid knocks once before walking into the room looking at his half dressed best friend, by half dressed of course she's just missing the actual gown. He flops down onto the bed in the room lying down on his side as she turns to face him. "Aren't you supposed to be with the guys Vin?"

"Aren't you supposed to be dressed already?" Speid counters with a lopsided grin. "How are the vows coming dude?"

"Ugh! I write songs for a living and I can't for the life of get this worded the way I want it. I mean nearly every song I've ever written has had something to do with him."

"Speeches were never your thing though dude, but music is in your soul. So why not approach it from that side? Or just think about it like you're talking to him and just him. Think about it as if you two are going to be the only ones in the room and you just need to make sure he knows what's inside of you. But then again this is the wedding of a rock star to her producer, so I don't think it's entirely out of line for you to end up singing your vows or something either or at least letting them be lyrical."

She cocks her head to the side staring at him; it still amazes her when he has these utterly brilliant moments. "You're a genius! But that means I'll need your help on piano, think you can do it?"

"Of course Jude, anything you want. It's your day after all. So do you want me to help you into the dress or go get one of the girls? I mean it's the maid of honor's job but you know, traditionally that's a girl…"

"When were we ones for tradition? I was the best man at your wedding after all. So help me into the dress and then see if everyone's ready."

Speid nods and goes to the closet door where her gown is hanging and very carefully takes it down with a gentleness not many even knew he possessed. He looks at the beautiful silk and lace and the simple beauty of the design with a soft shake of his hand before he helps Jude get the dress over her head, careful not to let it touch her hair or make up, before adjusting it in place and slipping all of the eye hooks in place to close the back of the gown. He then shifts the skirt in place and stepping back slightly. He grabs her hands to turn her facing him and looks at her silently. He'd seen her dressed up a million times before, but this was different and far more elegant than anything she'd ever worn. "You look perfect Jude. Tom is the luckiest guy on this earth to have you walking up the isle to meet him today." He kisses her cheek softly. "You'll always be my Lisa you know that right?"

"I know Bart." She smiles almost sadly as her ocean blue eyes fill with tears. She hugs him, careful not to wrinkle the dress as she doesn't want to hear that odd of a lecture from him or worse yet hear it from her sister and the other more feminine people in her wedding party. Besides, this is one day she wanted to look perfect. "All right it's time to get let the girls in and you get back to Tommy. Keep an eye on him for me, oh and get Harmony from Sadie. He should get some time with her before the ceremony, might calm his nerves."

"What makes you think he's nervous?"

"I know him Speid, he's probably heading close to petrified. Has a lot to do with his image of himself, plus his family's here."

He salutes her, "I am on the case then dude! I'll see you when we get started!" Speid leaves the room to pick up his little 'niece' to make the delivery.

Finally it's time; the music begins to play as the bridal party makes their way up to the front to stand on either side of the gazebo steps. First it's Kwest and Sadie followed by Speid and Karma, and last Jamie and Zeppelin. The girls are all in beautiful pastel blue strapless dresses with empire waistlines and a dark blue six inch hem. Their hair is simply pulled back and curled behind them with little music note clips on either side of their heads for decoration. None of them hold bouquets at Jude's request, to her it seemed a waste and cruel to the flowers and fake ones seemed pretentious for so many bouquets. The men each wore tuxes with pastel blue cummerbunds to match the girls. Once everyone was in their rightful place a few whispers broke out in the crowd at the odd display as all but one guy was on Tommy's side, and all the girls on Jude's, the oddity of course is the fact Speid stands in front of all of the girls in the order from the steps. Like Kwest he had a rose in his lapel. Speid's is white while Kwest's is blue and of course both are silk.

As they wait for the song to begin that will announce Jude's approach Tommy's mind wanders back to the conversation he'd had with a very surprising party…

"Tom Quincy… I never thought you'd get married again after everything. I honestly thought you might be too afraid to let yourself really love someone other than yourself, but here you are. Despite everything you think and all that happened I'm proud of you. I know you still have doubts but you haven't let it stop you from going after her. Just because our marriage failed is no reason to fear this one will, we were doomed from the start you and I. But you and Jude are meant for each other. She's everything you need Tom, but don't be afraid to let her be that. Don't let yourself be so afraid you cut yourself off again. You gave her your heart maybe from the moment you really saw her and didn't even realize it, but now you need to learn to let her take care of it. She won't disappoint you, I promise." Portia says without giving him a chance to even think of interrupting her. She hugs him a moment before pulling him back and looking at him again. "We were kids Tom, but you're not any more and neither is she. You two have a beautiful baby girl and a love most of us will search for our whole lives and never find. Cherish it, okay?"

"What if you're wrong Portia? I don't know the first thing about being a husband… I still can't help trying to run whenever my family's involved or bad emotions." He frowns staring at his ex-wife oddly, it felt weird to talk about things like this with her and not hear hatred in her voice or envy or even jealousy. He'd heard so much of it when he had dated Sadie.

"She doesn't know any more about how to be a wife. The idea is to learn together, to work through things together after today you are in a lot of ways one. You just have to realize you're right where you belong and that you are more than worthy of her. We all know you doubt that, but we all know better. She helped us see what you could be, and she can help you if you let her. You know she believes in you, and it matters to you more than anyone else's opinion of you ever did; including your own family. She'll be your guiding light Tom, if you let her."

He shakes his head slightly to clear the thoughts, a half smile on his lips as White Lines begins to play and he turns to face the arch at the opposite end of the carpet from him just as the rest of the crowd turns to watch. He can't help his smile as it grows watching her walk towards him on her father's arm bearing a smile more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen.

Her ocean blue eyes trimmed in silver with lashes painted obsidian lock onto Tommy's the moment she steps into view and her white slippers press onto the red carpet. Her arm is looped with her father's and in her hands she holds two blue roses and one white one. Her hair is curled and pinned up with the ever growing red roots showing beautifully against the fading platinum blond, a few strands hanging free and curled to perfection. Her gown is simple but elegant, ground length with no real train, an empire waist line halter top of white satin with tiny baby blue music notes embroidered into it while the skirt is simply white silk that hangs loose but flows softly around her. Her lips are painted a soft nude color and accented by clear shimmering gloss.

As she finally reaches her place next to Tommy as her father hands her away Pagan says, "Who here gives this girl to this man?"

"Her daughter, her sister, her friends, and I do." Stuart says before kissing Jude's cheek and taking his place in the front row of people between Portia and Yvette, taking his grand baby from Portia gently as he watches the wedding continue and attempts not to cry.

"Today we are gathered here to acknowledge and take witness of the joining of two destined souls; Thomas Dutois and Jude Harrison. To give social recognition to their decision to commit their lives and accept each other completely, to learn how to help and understand each other, to build a family, and together, to travel through life.

Tom and Jude also wish to thank each one of you for being here with them on this special day and they hope you will always be in their lives, and will always support and encourage them as they discover the commitment and dedication needed to make marriage work; so, this invitation is not just for one afternoon, it is an open invitation to be a part of their life.

While I myself have not known these two for very long I have heard from all those who have been near them from the beginning that they share something you simply don't see every day. They share a love and a bond that can stand not only the test of time but any other obstacle life chooses to put in front of them.

Do you Thomas Dutois; take Jude Harrison to be your friend, your lover and your wife, to cherish and to love her more and more with each passing day, to respect and to support her in all that she does?" He asks turning to Tommy.

"With all my heart I do." Tommy replies, his hands holding hers, thumbs brushing against the backs as he smiles and can't seem to tear his eyes from hers.

Pagan turns to Jude then, "Do you Jude Harrison; take Thomas Dutois to be your friend, your lover and your husband, to cherish and to love him more and more with each passing day, to respect and to support him in all that he does?"

Jude sniffs once trying to keep the tears of joy and maybe even shock from spilling from her sparkling blue eyes as she looks at Tommy, knowing soon they'll be together for always, when this day is done. "With all I am I do."

"May I have the rings please?" He nods as Kwest and Speid hand him the respective rings before he continues. "Now being musicians Tom and Jude have chosen to do things a little differently and perform their vows. Tom…" He motions for Tom to begin as Speid takes his place at the piano, having been asked of course by both the bride and groom to be of assistance.

When the music begins he brings Jude's hands closer, bending her fingers gently against his hands so he can press them softly against his chest as he begins.

Tell me can you feel my heart beat

Tell me as I kneel down at your feet

I knew there would come a time

When these two hearts would entwine

Just put your hand in mine

Forever

For so long I have been an island

Where no one could ever reach these shores

We've got a whole lifetime to share

And I'll always be there, darling this I swear

So please believe me

For these words I say are true

And I hope that I'll be, yeah

A lifetime loving you

If you ask will I be true

Do I give my all to you

Then I will say

I do

I'm ready to begin this journey

When I'm with you every step you take

And we've got a whole lifetime to share

And I'll always be there, darling this I swear

So please believe me

For these words I say are true

And I hope that I'll be, yeah

A lifetime will be whole

If you ask will I be true

Do I give my all to you

Then I will say

I do

As his voice fades and the music stops he takes the ring from Pagan, slipping in onto her ring finger before bringing her hand up and kissing it softly.

"Now Jude…"

As Pagan says her name she nods towards Speid closing her eyes for a brief moment before beginning as the soft notes from the piano surround her and she begins her own lyrical vow to the man she loves.

You were pretty crazy
Back when we fell in love
Wanting to be everything
That I would be proud of
Hours we spent dreaming
How we'd beat the odds
Now the truth has hit us
Life is very hard
Life can be so hard

I love you
Deeper than I ever dreamed of
I need you
Staying here 'til we can work it out
I want you
Knowing that through all the changes
I love you
Somehow I just had to tell you now

Oh to stay your princess
If I only could
If you never saw the rotten
Only saw the good
You'd still be Prince Charming
But we would never know
How it's in the darkest times
True love finally grows
Come on true love grow

I love you
Deeper than I ever dreamed of
I need you
Staying here 'til we can work it out
I want you
Knowing that through all the changes
I love you
Somehow I just had to tell you now

You got me, I got you
Sometimes it takes a little working through
But I can tell you now

I love you
Deeper than I ever dreamed of
I need you
Staying here 'til we can work it out
I want you
Knowing that through all the changes
I love you
Somehow I just had to tell you now

As the music fades she takes the ring from Pagan, slipping it onto his ring finger as she says, like a soft whispered ending to the song; "I love you…"

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Pagan looks at Tommy and motions towards Jude, "You may kiss your bride."

Tommy grins and doesn't hesitate as closes the small distance between them taking either side of her face gently into his hands, fingers curling towards the back of her head beneath her ears. He lowers his own head kissing her ever so softly but all of his love and passion is still felt likely by all in attendance but at the least by her.

When they pull apart Pagan bows his head a moment before announcing to the crowd, "I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dutois."

It's an hour into the reception and after the food has been served and enjoyed before those who planned to give speeches on this wonderful occasion prepare themselves. Kwest is the first to stand and tap his wine glass softly with his spoon to quiet down the crowd and gain their attention. "Now as the best man it's my job to give the first speech. I'm horrible at these things so bear with me." He smiles nervously as the crowd chuckles before he continues, "I've known Tom a long time and I knew from the night of Jude's sweet sixteen that he was falling hard and fast for her. I warned him of it, he even assured me he wasn't that guy, and he knew she was out of bounds because of her age. I also could see it wasn't and didn't stop him. The thing is you can't stop real love, the kind of once in a lifetime soul mate kind of thing these two have isn't something you can stop. They had their ups and downs; especially when Tom let his fear get in the way or his opinion of himself drive him away. That's probably why they go so well together, she's too fiery spirited to let him get away for long or put up with his crap. She challenged him and still does every step of the way. She lets him know when he's screwed up, she's not afraid to; but at the same time she loves him with a purity and passion you don't see every day. It was easy for me to see she loved him from the start in a way no one else ever had or could. He even made the mistake of dating her sister Sadie, no offense babe, to try and forget about his feelings for Jude. But that's the thing, with a love like theirs it's impossible to replicate or replace.

"When he first came back from New Brunswick after they'd had a falling out he had thought he'd lost her for good but he still chose to fight and try and get her to forgive him. He pulled out all the stops, but none of the things he usually did when he made a mistake with a woman. The things he did to try and get her to give him one more chance were heart felt acts of love and devotion, which is why I think they started to soften her up. But our rock star is stubborn and it took her a while to cave, not until after she found out she was very pregnant with little Harmony.

"I guess you could say she had a little to do with Jude finally opening her eyes to the man in front of her. Tom was different when he came home; he wasn't the same man any of us were used to. He was heart broken and so deeply in love he couldn't see anything else. I've seen him do a lot of things women would consider romantic when he made mistakes in the past, but the things he did to try and show Jude just how sorry he was for his mistakes and how much he loved her were unlike anything else he had ever done. Some were things he swore he'd never do. Like when he enlisted Sadie's help and mine to sing for Jude, or the concert where he sang to her for the first time in front of a crowd. He made certain she along with everyone who heard him knew just how he felt, but he also swore he'd wait until she was ready no matter how long it took.

"He did wait too, it took a car accident and visiting his family again to pull Jude away from her fears enough to let him back in all the way. They've been inseparable since, despite numerous fights. Now here we are on their wedding day and I have to say that I have never known or heard of a couple more in love than these two or more meant for each other. Despite all the ups and downs they've faced, more than the ones I've mentioned, they always found their way back to each other. So I wish you both all the love and luck in the world. I hope when it's our turn Sadie and I can have the beautiful life you two are beginning today." Kwest lifts his glass before sitting down next to Sadie, blushing when he realizes just how much he's babbled.

Speid stands then raising his own glass with a childish laugh and grin. "Well that was an interesting speech Kwest man. Well I've known Jude since we were kids but we didn't become the best friends we are now until after my band became her back up band and we dated and broke up. But I knew from the first time I saw Squinty and my Lisa in the studio together just talking that there was more love between them than most married couples fifty years in have. He had her heart and he didn't even know it, sometimes she seemed to forget it too or try anyway. I think that's part of why she agreed to date me and almost went back to our pal Jamie. But I knew she only had eyes for him and he would always have her heart. In the time I've known Tom as a producer I've watched them together and she is the only person who can calm him down and make him see reason when he would otherwise blow his top. She's the only one who can read him. They truly belong together.

"Jude, Tom, I'm not going to wish you anything really because I know I don't have to. I know without a doubt you two will have a long and loving marriage that Karma and I only hope to mirror. I truly want us to learn from the two of you how to stay strong and get through anything together the way you two always do. No matter what happens you always come back to each other without a second thought. I know you two will be the best parents any kid could ask for too; because you will love your daughter with the same whole hearted devotion that you love each other with. So instead what I wish is that the rest of us learn from the two of you how to love our spouses and our children with the same passion the two of you do. Squinty, take good care of my Lisa and remember what I told you and Lisa, take good care of Squinty here. You two belong together; let no one ever convince you different." Speid bows his head before sitting down beside his wife.

Stuart stands next, "I know it's not really my job to give a speech but I have something to say thought I will attempt to keep it short. Tom, I know I didn't always approve of your relationship with either of my girls, but when it came to Jude I think part of that was the father in me not being ready to let my baby girl go. You are older than her by seven years and to a father that's almost a lifetime of difference especially with the reputation you had. But I know you love Jude and Harmony and I know you will be a good father and husband to the girls. I know I didn't always make you feel welcomed though and I want to change that now if you'll let me. If you ever need to talk, man to man you can come to me. Whether you have questions about being a father or a husband or just want a man to talk to who has been where you are, you can talk to me. I welcome you into my heart, my home, and my family; not just because you are marrying my daughter and are the father of my first grand baby but because of the love and devotion I see in you for my baby girl. The way you have cared for her right from the start, you are a good man Tom."

Stuart's speech most of all got to Tom, he had never allowed himself to believe he'd be this fully accepted by the man considering the age difference and all the drama surrounding the time he's known both of his daughters. Then the man had to go and shock him, on his wedding day no less! His eyes widen further as his ex wife stands and looks at him and Jude.

"I've known Tom Quincy for many years, much like Darius, and I knew him well. I was around for his partying playboy ways and the endless string of models feeding his addiction. Then he went to work for Georgia as a favor, producing the first winner of her contest, Instant Star, and he met Jude. I heard a lot about them during the time Shay and Darius spent around the label in their first year working together. I was there when he started dating her older sister Sadie and she came into the lobby one morning to see it looking like, as she put it, a model bomb went off. She rightly accused him of cheating on her based on his past and the evidence supporting the accusation; but Jude knew something neither of us did so she took his side against her own sister. It wasn't until I foolishly talked to her and convinced Kwest to in his own way back me up that she started to doubt the faith she had placed in him. But as with everything between those two the bad times didn't last. It wasn't long before she realized, along with the rest of us, what a true heart broken Tom looked like.

He was great at playing the wounded puppy for the girlfriend, but the look he had when Jude shoved him into the hot tub and took her faith and belief in him was something no one had seen. But that's the thing, most of us have simply known Tom Quincy and Little Tommy Q; but Jude knows Tom Dutois. Jude knows and loves every side of him, every part of him. That's what will make their marriage outlast the strongest. Jude, in a lot of ways I envy you because of that. But over time I think you're bringing out that man for the rest of us to see instead of the mask he's been for so long. You're the real wife and the best one he could ever dream of finding. I only hope some day the rest of us can find in someone what you two have found in each other; a love to last a life time." Portia lifts her glass to them before closing the distance between herself and Jude; she leans over and kisses the bride's cheek before returning to her seat.

When the meal is over and the dancing begins Speid takes the stage at Stuarts and Tommy's mutual request to perform a song that suits the love they both have for their daughters. "Tom and Stuart are more alike than they realize, during the planning of this wedding both of them came to me on separate occasions to request I sing a particular song for the dance Jude will share with her father, and Tom wishes to share with his daughter. So if both fathers will come to the front with their daughters…" He smiles waiting for the men to take their places before his fingers dance over the piano keys on the stage Darius' had set up for the event.

There's two things I know for sure.
She was sent here from heaven,
And she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night,
she talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes.
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, But most of all, for...

Resting one hand on her father's shoulder and the other in his larger hand Jude smiles up at her father, her ocean blue eyes still filled with adoration. Despite all that had happened in her teens between the two of them she still loves him and adores him the way all daddy's girls do. As he sways with her to the music and Speid's voice her dress fluttering around her.

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"Walk beside the pony daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet Sixteen today,
She's looking like her momma
a little more everyday.
One part women, the other part girl.
To perfume and makeup,
From ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember...

Tommy holds Harmony against his chest in her pretty little white dress with baby blue music notes embroidered into the skirt and a blue ribbon around the waist tied in a bow behind her. For the wedding Portia had woven baby's breath into the little girls copper colored curls as short as they are barely even reaching her chin in a feathery thin mess.

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you daddy,
But if you don't mind,
I'm only going to kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong,
I must have done have something right.
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread you wings and fly

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride room just staring at her,
she asked me what I'm thinking, and I said "I'm not sure,
I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
Then she leaned over...and gave me...

Butterfly kisses, with her momma there
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle daddy, it's just about time"
"Does my wedding gown look pretty daddy?" "Daddy don't cry"
With all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man, this is what love is
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses..

The last verse both fathers joined Speid in singing to their daughters softly so only their girls could hear them as the song slowly comes to an end as does their dance. When the last keys of the piano fade away Stuart walks Jude over to Tom and gives him her hand as he takes his grand daughter from her father and holds her close moving to the edge of the crowd to sway back and forth as the first dance for the couple begins, once again performed by Speid.

In your eyes, I found the greatest prize
You and I could not be closer
And in your arms, is everything I want
Now I know my search is over

And I don't know where you take me
But it's exactly where I wanna be

It's where the stars line up
It's where the ocean's touch
It's in a place you've never been that feels like home
It's in the air right now
It's when you give your all, and give a little more
I've never been so sure, that's where you find love

After the first chorus Tom begins singing along with Speid softly to his wife as his forehead rests softly against hers while they dance. Her arms are wrapped loosely around his neck while his are looped lightly around her waist, fingers pressed gently into the small of her back.

People pass, and listen to us laugh
Wishing that they had the same thing
And our friends they ask, how we made it last
I just smile and say the same thing

I'm not sure how we got here
Baby I'm just glad that we got here

It's where the stars line up
It's where the ocean's touch
It's in the place and everything that feels like home

It's in the air right now
It's when you give your all, and give a little more
I've never been this sure, that's where you find love

Find love
That's where you find love

As the song ends Speid takes a bow before leaving the stage and allowing the band Darius had hired to take over playing the music as others joined the newlyweds on the dance floor so to speak, including Speid and his wife and the rest of the couples which form the bridal party.

Slowly the reception winds down and it's time for things like cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet and the garter. Of course this means with as silly as Jude and Tommy can be they end up wearing more of their cake than eating it and briefly causes a cake fight amongst most of the bridal party as well as Portia and Darius. Once things were cleaned up and the tossing began oddly enough Kwest caught the garter and Sadie caught the bouquet. Neither is entirely certain that the rest of the bridal party didn't plan it that way, but they choose not to argue with it or investigate the concept.

All in all the wedding was beautiful, but the best part to them is when they head to the limo, of course provided by Darius, the crowd throwing silk rose pedals as they pass through with Tommy carrying Harmony. For the night they would be taking the limo to their place and leaving on a plane early the next morning to Thailand with Kwest and Sadie, Speid and Karma where the seven of them will spend a month, Kwest, Sadie, Speid, and Karma of course are there partially on baby sitting duty. The four of them will take turns watching Harmony whenever needed to give the newlyweds the privacy they need without the worry of leaving their baby thousands of miles away and allow the God parents of their child to have a vacation themselves. So as the couple prepares to climb in the limo they take one more moment to wave to their guests and shout a loud thanks to the ones responsible for helping them put together the wedding in such a short time and for being there through everything they've gone through, before driving off into the night…

Now here is a teaser for the new story. Keep in mind this is just bits and pieces from randomly within the first chapter.

World Instant Star: The New Generation

Episode 101

Don't you wonder what happened to the very first instant star at the end of her contract under the reign of Darius? London came calling and she answered, leaving behind all the things that kept her grounded and all the things she loved most in the world. She decided she needed to spread her wings and try life on her own for a change. In her wake she left behind a devastated ex produce/ex fiancé, heart broken friends, and me; and a very lonely older sister. I pretended to be strong when she called to check in, or when she called crying because she missed him and couldn't say it to him, though they spoke every day. After the first year her calls to me became less frequent, but still working for G-Major alongside Tom I knew their calls hadn't lessened since the day she'd left.

On June 21st they were married and ten months later Jude gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and the three of them returned to Toronto to start their lives amongst their friends and family. They invest their time and money into NBR, helping Jamie and Zeppelin expand the company and slowly gain more artists.

It's a good thing Darius convinced all of us to keep an open mind as I sit here in the audience with the rest of the board watching the final two performances. For me it's like de ja vu given the two final acts we're witnessing, but this time we even have Darius in the audience. When he found out we were making an exception to the rules he had to see for himself why. After all he never thought we'd take his words to heart, that we would keep things eighteen and over especially considering the winner will most likely be from another country and minors made that complicated. I can't help grinning and nearly laughing as I catch the expression on D's face during the first performance…

Jude leans towards Jamie half way through the woman's song, "Sort of reminds you of Eden doesn't it?"

"In a very de ja vu sort of way, and isn't her name Eva?" Jamie questions as he tries to keep a stoic expression during their little whispered conversation.

"I think she might be worse than Eden… If it's possible I think she's even more fake!" Shay whispers to the pair with a slight chuckle and a sheepish expression thinking back to their teens.

As the lights set about changing I can't help being taken back to the moment my baby sister took the stage the night of the final performance of the original competition. It was almost as if I could feel the change in the air again just like I had that night. I knew things were going to change with this contest and this performance, our very lives would change, and I am the only one who knows it…

Sadie turns to Jude, "It's like watching you all over again."

"It's like looking in a mirror almost. You said she's fifteen didn't you?" Jude questions her sister, who nods while they both continue to watch the performance in complete awe.

"And the winner is…"

I hope to see all of you when this story makes its debut! Ciao!