This is the chapter I have been planning for at least a year now. I own nothing. All character and songs belong to their rightful owners. ENJOY.
Chapter 53
The weekend before the finale was insane. The two finalists had to be at the arena with all the contestants, so Jude and the guys had to do their last minute rehearsal stuff in the back room. Everything was already staged, so it wasn't a big deal. They were just perfecting the music. The songs were really personal to her. One she'd actually started writing when she'd been in Rome. Back then she never thought she and Tommy would ever get another chance. Now they had their whole lives a head of them.
"So tomorrow, I will be at the arena all day. You're planning on being at the show right?" Tommy asked over dinner Sunday night.
"Wally and I are closing early and I will be riding over with him."
"Do you need me to drop you off at the store in the morning?"
"No, that's fine. Spied is coming by and taking me to work."
"You don't need me for anything then." Tommy pouted.
"Of course, I need you. Who else is going to help pack up the house when it sells?"
"Oh is that all you need me for?" He laughed with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, now that you mention it." Jude smirked before scooting her chair closer to his. "This has been a really busy week. What do you think about going upstairs early and helping me relax?"
"Sounds like the best way to spend the rest of the night." He reached over and threaded his fingers into her hair and pulled her lips to his.
Jude sighed into the kiss. The feel of his mouth on hers always made the rest of the world melt away. They were the only two people who existed on the planet. She couldn't help but moan when his other hand guided down her back and guided her into his lap. It was going to be a long relaxing night.
Tommy let his hands settle on the outer side of her thighs after she straddled his lap. Their tongues explored each other's mouths passionately. He loved the feeling of her fingers in his hair massaging his scalp.
"I love it when you purr," Jude said breaking the kiss to take a breath.
"I love when you do anything," He murmured moving to her neck. He nipped and sucked on a spot behind her ear.
"You can do that all night."
"You want to move this to the bedroom?"
"I kind of like where we are right now." She wiggled making his erection hit the perfect spot through their jeans.
"Mmm…" He ran his hands up the back of her shirt. "I think I do too." He tore her shirt over her head and attached his mouth to her collarbone.
Jude buried her fingers in his hair again. She loved the feeling of his thick hair. He'd gone without his usual gel that morning. Her body was relaxing more and more under the assault of his mouth and tongue. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he stood up. "Where are we going?"
"Nowhere," He chuckled before knocking the dishes in the floor clearing the table to sit her on the edge.
Jude smiled and pulled his mouth back to hers. Instantly, their tongues were gliding together. She could feel the heat building in her core. She needed to feel him as close as she could get him.
Tommy kissed down her chest and stomach when he reached to unbutton her jeans. It had been a busy, stressful week, and he wanted to enjoy her as long as he could.
Jude leaned back on the table and lifted her hips to help him pull her jeans off. She was pleasantly shocked when he pulled her panties down also. She bit her bottom lip to suppress a moan at the feeling of his warm breath washing over her body. She looked down at him with hooded eyes. "You know I think someone is way over dressed."
"Really? What are you going to do about that?"
"Let's see." Jude sat up and pulled Tommy by the collar. "First we get rid of this." She started unbuttoning his shirt. She kissed his chest after each button until it dropped to the floor. "Then these have to go." She met his lips in a desperate kiss when he licked his jeans off.
"How's this?" He smiled against her lips.
Jude giggled running her hand down his chest. "Almost."
Tommy moaned when her fingers wrapped around him. "Damn," he grunted and pushed his boxers to the floor and kicked them aside with his jeans. "You know this has always been a fantasy of mine." He kissed her neck and trailed down towards her breasts.
"What would that be?" She buried her fingers in his hair holding him to her.
"Making love on the kitchen table," he whispered working his way down.
"Hmm," Jude moaned.
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Monday morning was a rush of showers, coffee, and fleeting kisses. Jude couldn't help but smile the whole time about the night before. She fell in love with Tommy over and over again. She and the guys worked on the songs a few times in the back room, but for most of the day she sat writing new material. It felt so good to her to be writing. She hoped she never lost it again.
She could feel the nerves building, but just pushed it away. It was really more excitement than anxiety. She was going to be on the same stage she said goodbye to Toronto on. It made a lot of old memories resurface. There was still a part of her that wished she'd done things differently back then. She channeled all her thoughts into her writing.
"So, are we ready for tomorrow night?" Kyle asked bringing her out of her thoughts.
"I think so." Jude looked up from her notebook.
"Dude, we are so going to rock the house." Spied laughed giving everyone high fives.
"I can't wait to see the crowd reaction when you take the stage, Jude. It's going to be priceless."
"The crowd isn't the only reaction I am looking forward to, Wally." Jude had a small smile on her face thinking about Tommy and what his reaction will be.
"Alright, guys, we need to get to the arena." Wally was closing the store early since SME was the house band for the final performance night.
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Tommy was a bundle of nerves. He couldn't figure out exactly why. The night before with Jude had been so amazing. His mind had been clouded with it all day. He was more than sure he was ready to pop the question. He just needed to find the perfect way.
"What are you thinking about, Romeo?" Sadie asked walking up beside him. "Or do I even want to know?"
"I'm going to ask your sister to marry me," he said matter of factly.
"It's about time." Sadie hugged him fiercely.
"I take it you like this idea."
"Of course I do. My sister loves you very much, and I know you will always take care of her."
"So, what about you and Kwest?"
"We are good. I think we are finally in the right place in our lives to work out. I hate what I did to him all those years ago, but I know now he is it for me."
"I'm glad because you both deserve to be happy."
"Thanks, Tom. That means a lot to me."
After Sadie was gone, he noticed she dropped a piece of paper out of one of her folders. It was a written out schedule for the finale. There was a huge gap between Mason's performance and the winner being announced. He wandered if there was someone else was going to be performing.
"Hey, sexy!" A feminine hand covered his eyes.
Tommy dropped the paper and all was forgotten when he turned to see Jude standing there with a huge smile on her face. "Hey, babe, I missed you today." He pulled her into a huge hug.
"I missed you too."
"The show is about to start. Do you want to sit in VIP with me?"
"Let's go."
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If Jude thought the week leading up to the finale was busy, the finale day was insane. Tommy was out of the house by six in the morning and she had to be at the salon by eight. Sadie met her there to go over final wardrobe. Everything had to be very secretive. Jude didn't want the press to get the hint she was going to be performing. That's all she needed was her big surprise to be ruined.
She took the time to write out what she was going to say on stage that night. She didn't want to take away from the contestants or the winner, but she just felt the need to say a few words on her behalf. She wanted to give her fans that.
"So, are you nervous?" Sadie asked.
"You know, not really. I am just really excited."
"That's good to know. So, a car will bring you around back after the show starts. Tommy should already be in his seat by then. I have an office set up that will be your dressing room. You will be able to change in there before taking the stage."
"Awesome."
After leaving the salon, Jude went to the store to meet the guys for a final run through. They got a few good hours in before Mason and the guys had to be at the arena for sound check. Jude then went home to get a shower and wait for the car to pick her up.
She was just getting out of the shower when she got a call from her realtor.
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Tommy was freaking out. The show was about to start, and Jude wasn't there yet. Her phone was going straight to voicemail. He tired both houses and no answer. He'd tried to find Sadie backstage, but she was so busy with the contestants and kept missing her. He started to leave when his phone finally rang.
"Jude, where are you?" He was frantic with worry.
"I'm running late. I offered to pick up Ella since Karma and Spied are performing tonight. I was leaving the house when the realtor called. She got a perfect offer on the house today."
"Really?"
"Yep. They want to close in three weeks."
"Wow, babe that is great." He was truly excited because that meant she would be completely moving in.
"So, I will be there as soon as I can."
"Okay. I love you and will see you soon."
"Love you too."
Tommy felt better after talking to her. Their life was really falling into place. He left word with one of the stage hands where he would be sitting, so Jude would be able to find him when she got there. As the show progressed, he began to worry again when she still hadn't shown up.
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Jude stood backstage waiting for her cue to take the stage. This was the moment she'd been waiting for. Her smile only grew as Mason took the stage with SME.
Mason nodded towards the band and the music started.
*song I Run to You belongs to Lady Antebellum*
[Mason sings]
"I run from hate
I run from prejudice
I run from pessimists
But I run too late"
"Ladies and gentlemen, Jude Harrison." Mason held his hand out for her to join him. The crowd went insane.
[Jude]
I run my life
Or is it running me?
Run from my past
I run too fast
Or too slow it seems
[Together]
When lies become the truth
That's when I run to you
This world keeps spinning faster
To a new disaster, so I run to you
I run to you, Baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to
I run to you
We run on fumes
Your life and mine
Like the sands of time
Slippin' right on through
Our love's the only truth
That's why I run to you
This world keeps spinning faster
To a new disaster, so I run to you
I run to you, Baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to
I run to you
Oh oh, oh I run to you
This world keeps spinning faster
To a new disaster, so I run to you
I run to you, Baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to
I run to you, I run to you
Yeah
Oh oh, oh I run to you
I'll run to you girl
Oh Oh
I always run to you
Run to you
Run to
O_o
When the music faded, Jude could hardly hear herself think. The crowd was still cheering for her. "How's everyone feeling?" She laughed as they screamed louder. "Well, it has been a while since I have been up here, and I just want to take a minute to say something to all my fans out there. When I said goodbye to Toronto years ago, I thought I was leaving for bigger and better things. Those things didn't work out like I wanted them to. I have had a few bumps in the road since then, but I'm back now. That last song I wrote for a very special person in my life. He is my rock and I wouldn't be standing her on stage right now if it were not for him." Jude looked to the side of the stage and Tommy was standing there with a smile and a shocked expression. "The years have not always been good to me and I have learned a lot from them. When you find something good in your life, don't let it go. I let mine go once, but luckily made I made my way back to it. This next song was one that I started writing all those years ago, but was just able to finish it recently. I hope you like it." She looked at Tommy and then nodded to Spied.
*song Need You Now belongs to Lady Antebellum*
[Jude]
Picture perfect memories, scattered all around the floor
Reaching for the phone 'cause I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I've lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now
[Mason]
Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I've lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now
Woah, woah
Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now, I just need you now
Oh baby, I need you now
O_o
Jude felt tears in her eyes as the music faded this time. Luckily it was time for a commercial break and she could leave the stage. She went straight to Tommy.
"Baby, that was amazing." He instantly wrapped her into a hug and swung her around. "How long have you been planning this?"
"A while." She smiled before his lips were on hers. This kiss was short, but all she needed to know how he felt about it. "So, what did you think about the songs?"
"They were great. Why didn't you tell me about all of this?"
"I wanted to surprise you. I have to go back on. We'll talk more after the show."
"Okay." Tommy watched proudly as Jude returned to the stage.
Jude took her spot and picked up her guitar. "I have one last song for you guys before the winner is announced. We all know that tonight will be the final Instant Star. So, what better way to lead up to that, but the song that made me the first Instant Star?"
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Tommy watched as his girl performed 24 Hours. He could still barely believe she was actually on stage again. The whole night was so surreal. He'd been in the middle of going outside to try calling her when he heard Mason announce her name and rushed to the side stage. Her new songs were perfect for all they had gone through.
"So, what do you think of your girl, T?" Darius asked walking up beside him.
"She's amazing." He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"So, were you surprised?"
"Very."
"She's still got it."
"You didn't…" Tommy started.
"This was all her idea. She called me when she was still in rehab."
"Wow. So what now?" He turned to look at D.
"It's all up to her." Darius shrugged. "But I'd love to get you two back into the studio. Those songs need to be on the radio."
"I'll do whatever she wants me to."
"I know you will, man." Darius turned to walk away. "Let her know her car will be ready next week."
"I will."
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Jude gave her final bow before leaving the stage for the winner to be announced. Her adrenalin was pumping and she truly felt alive again. Right then she knew three things; she was born for this, her mother would have been very proud, and she could do anything as long as Tommy was with her.
"Hi." She smiled shyly standing in front of Tommy.
"Hi." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You were absolutely amazing out there tonight."
"It was all for you. You're my inspiration."
"And you are mine." He kissed her lightly. "Come on, let's get out of here." He intertwined their fingers and led her to the back door.
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Wow it has been a long road. I have been reading earlier chapters to make sure I don't leave certain things open. I had no idea this would be over 50 chapters when I started. I thought back in Chapter 22 I was ready to wrap things up. But here we are. I started posting on March 17, 2009, so my deadline to be completed is March 17, 2011. Wow two whole years on this. It's been really emotional on me. Sorry that all the later chapters have been so spaced out. The closer to the end, the harder the chapters have been to write. One more chapter before the epilogue and the epilogue has already been written.
Please let me know what you think. Your thoughts will help me get the last chapter written.
