Chapter 25:

Two Weeks Later…

"Are you sure you want the crib to go here?" Tommy asked glancing towards Jude. She was sitting comfortably in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, observing all the work Tommy and Kwest were doing.

She analyzed the room before agreeing with the placement of the crib. "I like it there. You know, I could help you," Jude said, beginning to get up.

"Don't even think about moving from that spot," Tommy said, pointing at her in a mock threat. "The doctor said you need rest." He walked to her chair and leaned down to kiss her temple. "I'll be right back, I'm going to get a drink. Either of you want anything?"

Jude and Kwest both shook their heads silently, and Tommy bent to steal a quick kiss before striding out of the nursery.

Jude stood up slowly, walking around the spacious room, the spare bedroom that they had converted into a nursery. Tommy and Kwest had worked so hard the past couple of weeks painting and putting all the finishing touches on Nathan's room. She ran her hand along the smooth wood surface of the crib, staring in amazement at all the work that had been done.

"You're supposed to be sitting down, I believe," Kwest said, smiling at Jude's defiance.

"I'm fine," she asserted. "Let me do something. You know I don't like be useless."

"Just don't worry. We've got this all under control," Kwest said as he continued to build the change table. He looked back at the instructions, clearly confused at to what to do next.

Jude smirked. "Kwest, give me those," she said, holding her hand out for the instructions.

Kwest just shook his head, handing over the piece of paper with all the diagrams and numbers on it. "Fine. You read them and I'll build it. But if Tommy asks, you forced me into it."

"You got it." She took a minute to read the instructions before looking down at the partially made table that Kwest was leaning over. "Okay, well that is a table leg," Jude said, pointing at one of the long pieces of wood, "so you attach it there." She pointed to one of the junctures which would fit the leg.

"Excellent," Kwest said as he did as Jude instructed. It took them only five more minutes to complete, during which time Tommy returned and looked disapprovingly at Jude who was no longer seated where he left her.

"Kwest, I meant to ask you. Where's my sister? Is she trying to get out of doing manual labour?" Jude asked laughing.

Kwest eyed Tommy, who answered the question instead. "Actually, I asked her to pick up a few things. She'll be here soon." Jude caught a tense look between the two men.

She looked back and forth between the two of them, knowing that something was going on. "What are you two up to?" she asked, a gleam of curiosity flashing across her face.

"Nothing. Nothing's going on," Tommy said, just a little too quickly.

Jude started to laugh, "Sure. Whatever you say." To alleviate Tommy's fears and worried glances, she returned to the rocking chair. She felt completely well and hated being treated like an invalid. But Tommy had been through so much, and it did not slip Jude's notice that since the accident Tommy had been a little more careful with her and a bit more cautious in general. She certainly wasn't going to worry him any more than she had to.

Kwest glanced at his watch and said something in a low tone to Tommy. Then he stood up. "Well, I'm going to take off. I have something I have to take care of."

Jude looked at him curiously. This sudden need for departure, at only 1:00 in the afternoon, only heightened her suspicion that they were up to something. There was no point questioning them about it; she already knew they wouldn't reveal anything. "Alright," she conceded, laughing lightly at the mysterious way they were acting.

She stood up to kiss Kwest's cheek briefly. "Thank you for everything."

"No problem." He smiled before sweeping out of the room.

Jude yawned helplessly, suddenly feeling tired. "I think I'm going to take a nap."

"Everything alright?" Tommy asked, instantly worried.

"Everything's fine," She touched Tommy's arm reassuringly, and kissed his cheek before she made her way out of the room and laid down on the bed next door in the master bedroom. Within minutes she felt herself drifting of to sleep, her mind still idly wondering what her fiancée was planning.

As Tommy stood in the doorway only five minutes later to check on a sleeping Jude, he breathed a huge sigh of relief. There were still times he had trouble remembering that she was fine. He couldn't help but be a little relieved she was sleeping now; an impish smirk filled his face as he mused that he still had some details of his surprise to attend to.

Two hours later, Tommy sat on the edge of the bed, shaking Jude lightly. "Jude," he whispered. "Time to wake up."

She reluctantly roused, only to pull the covers over her head a second later.

"No, no." Tommy grabbed the covers, pulling them back, away from her body.

"What's going on?" Jude asked groggily, her eyes still closed.

"You know, you've got to be the hardest person to wake up," Tommy commented, holding in a laugh.

"So don't do it then," Jude mumbled before turning over, aiming her body away from Tommy.

She was wrong if she thought that was going to stop him. Only seconds later, she screamed as Tommy scooped her up and placed her tentatively on her feet.

She laughed hysterically as Tommy tickled her awake.

"Okay, okay," Jude squealed, pushing his hands away, still laughing.

"Are you awake now?" Tommy joked, pulling her against him.

"Definitely. What's the hurry anyway?"

"I've got a surprise for you," he said, running his lips down Jude's throat.

"Hmmm… I like this surprise." She tilted her neck to give him better access.

Tommy laughed, his laughter rich and warm. "Not that kind of surprise. That will come soon enough. When I know you are fully healed. This surprise requires you wear this," he pointed to a dress bag hanging on the hook on the closet door.

"What's going on?" Jude asked, her puzzlement clear.

Tommy rolled his eyes playfully. "It's a surprise! Just put on the dress. I must give credit to Sadie for choosing it – I asked her to pick out something you'd like. Now, come on, we've got somewhere special to be," Tommy said, his eyes sparkling with bliss.

She eyed the bag curiously. "I'll give you a few minutes to get ready and I'll meet you downstairs." He pecked her cheek and closed the door behind him.

She slowly opened the bag, revealing the prettiest dress she had ever seen. It was white, with tiny straps, and a glittering fitted bodice. She had to remind herself to thank Sadie later.

She removed her clothes and slipped on the dress. When she looked in the mirror, she didn't think anything had ever suited her so perfectly, emphasizing the small width of her waist, which had gone back to being tiny since having Nathan, and the slimness of her shoulders and collarbone.

She applied a bit of makeup and some lip gloss and put her hair up quickly. She slid on some strappy white heels and stood in front of the full length mirror again.

"Perfect," she said to reflection before opening the bedroom door and heading down towards the stairs.

Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Tommy looking gorgeous, dressed in a tuxedo, standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her.

She walked slowly down the stairs, stopping right at the bottom to take in the sight of him. "Well, you certainly clean up nicely," she joked.

His face broke out into a wide smile. "Don't get used to this. This thing is killing me," he said, trying to loosen the collar of his shirt. "You look beautiful." He held his palm open. "Ready to go?"

"Of course. Where are we going again?"

Tommy laughed as he led her to the Porsche. "Don't even try. Just enjoy the ride."

Jude settled comfortably into the passenger seat. It felt weird being in a car again. Since the accident, the memory of which kept coming back in bits and pieces, she had avoided riding in a car as much as possible. But whatever tonight was, she had a feeling it would be worth it.

Tommy drove carefully, knowing instinctively that Jude was still a little wary about even being in a car. He couldn't help but smile at tonight, at what he had waiting for her.

As they neared the destination, Tommy suddenly broke the comfortable silence. "Close your eyes."

"What?" Jude asked, her head spinning to look at him.

"Close your eyes. You've been where we're going before and I want it to be a complete surprise this time."

"Cryptic much?" Jude asked with a tinge of sarcasm. "Fine, fine," she conceded as Tommy gave her a pleading looking. She closed her eyes tightly, willing that she wouldn't ruin the surprise. Whatever it was, it was important enough that he had gone to all this trouble. And there was nothing she loved more than a surprise.

Within ten minutes, Tommy pulled the car to a stop. "Can I open my eyes?"

"Not yet. Hold on, I'm going to come around and help you out." Jude heard Tommy's door slam and within seconds, she heard her own door open and felt Tommy's strong grip on her arm. "Okay, swing your legs out of the car and I'll help you stand up."

She laughed softly at her own clumsiness as she almost toppled out of the car. "Okay, I've got you." Jude heard Tommy's voice close to her ear as he swung an arm tightly around her waist, leading her forward. He guided her cautiously up a few stairs and turned her body before saying, "Okay. You can open your eyes now."

Jude opened her eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the sunlight. She recognized where they were immediately. She and Tommy were standing at the front door of the church near her old family farm. The church she had brought Tommy to when they were looking for places to record her third album.

Jude focused her attention back on Tommy, who smiling unguardedly. "I have an important question to ask you. Will you marry me Jude?"

Jude glanced down at her engagement ring in confusion. "Tommy, I already—"

"Today," he interjected. "Right now."

Jude could feel a smile filling her whole face. "Yes. There's nothing else I'd rather do."

Tommy let out a sigh of relief. "Alright. Let's do it." He opened the door and motioned for her to enter the church ahead of him.

She was immediately blown away. The interior of the church looked amazing. It was decorated with fresh flowers and beautiful white accents placed perfectly around the church. And the church was filled with all her family and friends. Even Darius was there.

She looked around her, at all that he had arranged for her, and she knew couldn't be any luckier. He was amazing, and he was hers. Forever.

She turned around to face Tommy. "I can't believe you did all this."

He reached his hand to her face. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

She leaned in for a kiss, her lips almost touching his before she heard Sadie yelling, "That will come later!" They pulled apart and Sadie shooed Tommy down the aisle. "Let's get this show on the road."

Tommy shot Jude a smirk before walking towards the front of the church. Stuart slipped down the aisle, passing Tommy as he walked to meet Jude and Sadie.

"This is amazing," Jude commented, still taking in the wonderful transformation of the church.

"It is. And Tommy planned it all. We helped, but he knew exactly what he wanted. It was kinda weird for a guy to be so sure. But it was cute, all the same," Sadie quipped.

Jude couldn't help but laugh at this revelation. "So, little sister, as your maid of honor I must ask – are you ready to become Mrs. Quincy?" Sadie asked, a proud smile forming on her lips.

"I think I've always been ready." Jude reached forward and hugged her sister tightly.

As Sadie pulled away, she signalled the organist, who began playing. Sadie winked encouragingly before beginning her descent down the aisle.

Jude stood at the top of the aisle with her father, waiting for their moment. "I'm so proud of you, honey."

She wiped away a tear the slipped down her cheek. There's was nothing she wanted more than to make her dad proud. "And now you and Tommy have given me a wonderful grandchild to love. I couldn't be happier for the two of you."

"Thanks, Daddy," she said, hugging him tightly. "That means a lot. I know you haven't always been happy with Tommy."

Stuart waved off her statement. "That's all in the past. You two have an amazing future. And I'm just glad to be a part of it." The music changed, signalling that it was time for Jude to walk down the aisle. Stuart offered his arm, and they began to walk.

Jude couldn't take her eyes off Tommy, who was waiting for her at the end of the aisle. He was smiling, apparently not nervous at all. But then again, neither was she. She always knew this moment would come. Somewhere deep in her heart, even when she tried to push him out of her life, she had known that one day they would be together like this.

Stuart and Jude reached Tommy and he handed his daughter's hand into Tommy's care, symbolically handing his daughter to the man who had taken his position as the most important man in her life. He kissed Jude's cheek before taking his seat beside Jamie.

Jude felt Tommy's strong grip on her hands as he smiled joyously at her. Neither of them heard much of the minister's brief introduction. The service was a blur until the time came for them to say their vows. They simultaneously requested that they be allowed to say their own vows, both feeling that the traditional statements simply did not say what they wanted to say.

"Tommy," Jude began, feeling the tears of happiness already threatening. "I'm not sure I can actually pinpoint the day I feel in love with you. It seemed to happen all of a sudden. One day you walked into my life and everything was different." She smiled widely, remembering their first few days of knowing each other. "I felt more alive as a person and as a musician. You have changed my life in so many ways. As everyone knows, you and I have had our ups and downs, and there were times I wasn't sure we were going to make it. But, the one thing that has never changed is the fact that I love you. And I can't imagine my life without you in it." She allowed the tears to flow, Tommy lifting his hand gently to her face to wipe them away.

The minister turned to Tommy, motioning for him to give his vows as well. He took a deep breath, and Jude noticed his eyes glistening with emotion. "Jude Harrison. That's officially the last time I will call you that. After today, you're Jude Quincy, my wife. And you can be sure that I'm going to let everyone know that," he quipped, laughing lightly. "I can't even tell you how good it makes me feel to call you my wife. I've messed up with you, more times than you ever should have allowed. And I'm so grateful that you have stuck by me so that we were finally able to arrive here. I love you; I hope you have never doubted that. And I love the family we're creating. For the first time in my life, I see a future for myself. And it's all because of you." A few tears slid down Tommy's cheeks as his eyes shone with happiness and pride.

The minister spoke a few more words before telling Tommy that he could kiss his bride. He swept her tightly into his arms, his soft lips claiming her own, for now and for always.