Holiday- An Instant Star Christmas Story
Chapter 5: Crash Into The Sun
Author's Note: Wow! The response to Chapter 4 has just been overwhelming! I think I'm getting my holiday presents now! So, I've decided to accelerate this a bit- no spoilers, just a quick release on Chapter 5! See what you guys can make me do... you and the consumption of delicious cookie dough! Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of the holiday season as much as you all say you like this! Please keep the comments coming...
Chapter 5: Crash Into The Sun
The shrill sound of the ringing phone shattered the dreams of the loving couple, sleeping peacefully in each other's arms. Synchronicity reigned supreme as both sets of blue orbs opened, simultaneously registering their shock.
Tommy's pupils darkened, as his face turned ashen.
"If that's him again..." he trailed off, clearly shaken.
Jude looked at him and took both his hands in hers.
"No" she assured Tommy, realizing something.
"It's my cell phone."
Her beautifully toned body flipped over as she reached for it.
"Hello? Oh, hi Kat..."
Tommy's muscles relaxed and he leaned back in bed. He listened, as Jude reviewed her afternoon plans with her closest girlfriend.
"Yes. Of course, we're still going. 1:00? Great! I'll meet you there!"
She slid downwards, onto the soft silk sheets where Tommy's strong arms gently caught her, drawing her close. She sighed contentedly, as always, relishing his nearness.
"You two have plans today?" he asked her.
"Yup! Headed towards the Northside Mall. I've hardly touched my Christmas shopping. Been so busy with the tour and all. Plus, now I need something amazing to wear on New Year's."
"Got some special plans or something?" he teased her.
"The best." she smiled, as she leaned over and kissed him intensely, her hands stroking his bare back.
Eagerly, he reciprocated her caresses, hungrily running his hands over her delicate skin, snaking them upwards from her stomach. After only a few minutes, he groaned and reluctantly pulled away. Jude sighed.
"I know. It's 11:30 already. I'd better get myself together. We can't do this now."
"Later" he asked, grinning impishly.
"Oh, yeah" she promised.
"So, what are you doing today?" Jude said. "You finish all your shopping already?"
"No. Not even close." he replied, grateful for her reminder.
"I need to get some presents for your family."
"You don't have to..." she began.
"I want to." he replied firmly.
"I want to make a good impression. I need them to like me. Really like me. Then, they'll trust me with you. I want them to be okay with this, with us. Cause I"m not planning on giving you up." he thought silently.
Jude sensed his urgency and asked.
"So, am I allowed to ask what you're buying?"
"For them, yes. For you, no. You need to wait for that." But Tommy was very pleased with the present he already selected for Jude. He wanted something very special and unique, just like her. After giving the matter considerable thought, he realized the perfect gift, and specially ordered it two months ago. It was now ready, needing only for him to go and pick it up.
"Fine!" she retorted, playfully sticking her tongue out at him.
"Then I'm not saying what I got you, either."
"Okay. Fair enough. Seriously, for your family, so far I only got that rare Beatles album for your father. I found it on Ebay while we were away and had it sent here. Honestly, I have no idea what to get your mom or Sadie."
"I'm surprised, Quincy. Here I thought you were an expert in what women want!"
"Only certain women." Tommy responded, smiling lovingly at Jude. "My skills are very customized."
"Don't I know it!" Jude returned his smile, and continued.
"So, you want me to help you pick stuff out?"
"Well, yeah. That ok?"
"Of course. Then get dressed. You're coming with us."
"Fine. But I'm driving." Tommy insisted.
Jude raised an eyebrow at him.
"In the true spirit of the holidays, I'm doing the public an important service and keeping you off the road."
"Besides, then I have to come back here afterwards to get my car..." she said, immediately comprehending his intentions.
"Yeah" he replied, grinning.
"Sneaky, Quincy"
"Well, if you don't like it..."
"I never said that"
They kissed quickly.
"We'd better hurry. We don't have much time." Jude urged, and Tommy agreed.
They dressed and left the apartment, destined for Tommy's Viper. He unlocked the familiar blue door for her, and she smiled.
"I did miss this car." she admitted.
"Well, you are it's favorite passenger."
Thirty minutes of highway travel took them to the mall. With difficulty, Tommy located an available parking spot in the vast, but crowded outdoor lot.
"Where are we meeting Kat?" he asked.
"Food court. By the coffee stand. I need some. And I knew you wouldn't have any food at your apartment."
"We've been away. I meant to stock up, but..." he apologized.
"I know." she reassured him. "But I'm starving. Aren't you?"
Tommy then realized he really was. Not only had he not yet eaten that day, but he had been too traumatized to eat dinner the night before.
They reached the proper kiosk and ordered lattes, muffins and bagels. Ravenous, Tommy devoured his food, finishing just in time to see Kat approaching them. Surprisingly, she was not alone.
"Kat! Jamie... I didn't know you were coming!" Jude greeted them happily.
"My car's battery died. I needed a lift. Besides, as always Andrews here hasn't even started his shopping." Kat informed them.
"Procrastinate much? You never change, Jamie." Jude fondly teased her old friend and neighbor.
"Hey, shopping is a girl thing. It's not me." Jamie answered.
"I'm gonna have to agree with that." Tommy echoed.
"I didn't know you were coming, either." Kat said to him, in a warm welcome.
"Well, I've some things to get, too." he admitted.
"Oh. Well, Jude and I have a special mission to accomplish. Can we trust you guys to get to it?" Kat questioned them.
Tommy looked at Jude, a confused expression on his face.
"Just start looking. I'll catch up with you later, and help you decide." she promised.
"Ok" he agreed.
She walked off with Kat, both of them giggling conspiratorially. Tommy and Jamie were then left staring uncomfortably at each other.
"This is Jamie. Jude's oldest friend. The guy had a major crush on her for years, not that I blame him for that. Maybe deep down, he still does. Like this isn't awkward. What are we supposed to say now?" Tommy mused.
Jamie's thoughts ran along a similar line. He had never been Tommy Quincy's biggest fan. Not only was he always jealous of Jude's irresistible attraction to him, but he had heard too much about how he hurt her at various times before. Jude might have been past all that, but he wasn't. Still, for her sake, he endeavored to break the ice.
"So? What do you need to get?" he asked him.
Tommy sighed.
"I need presents for Jude's mother and sister. I'm spending the holidays with them." he answered.
Jamie's eyes widened in suprise.
"With them? Not with your own family?" he asked.
"I don't really have one." Tommy responded flatly.
Quickly, Jamie changed the topic; he knew a hint when he heard one.
"Ok. So, what did you have in mind for them?"
"Not a clue." Tommy said honestly, shaking his head.
"Well, then, you're in luck. Allow me to be of service. I've lived next door to Victoria and Sadie Harrison since birth. Practically grew up in their house. Consider me your expert in the Harrison family. I can help you pick out stuff they'll love. If you want." he added, sincerely.
Tommy nodded, really grateful for Jamie's offer.
"Thanks"
"No prob. Hey, I've a mother and a sister to shop for myself! So, let's go." he replied, and they walked off.
Ninety minutes later, Tommy and Jamie retraced their steps, returning to the food court. Both lugged heavy shopping bags.
"See. I told you. Got everything?" Jamie grinned smugly.
"Yeah. Thanks." Tommy replied, very pleased with his purchases.
"No problem. Hey, you mind stopping here for a second? I need one more thing."
"Sure"
They entered the absolutely mobbed toy store.
"Man, it's a zoo in here!" Tommy commented.
"Yeah. I know. Sorry, I just need to get something for my cousin. And here it is!" Jamie cried triumphantly, seizing the desired object.
"Evan's been dying for one of these." he said.
"Yeah. I had one, too. I loved it." Tommy grinned, admiring the small, remote-controlled toy airplane. He recalled his sixth Christmas, the year he received it.
"Airplane, Daddy!" young Tommy Quincy hollered in glee.
"Make it fly! Make it fly!"
"Come here. See?" James Quincy demonstrated the plane's controls for his son.
"He's so young. Maybe it's too hard for him?" Sarah Quincy voiced her concern.
"Of course he can do it! He's my boy! He's smart! Now, just pull this in the direction you want it to go. Be careful! Don't hit anything! And don't let the plane crash now!"
Basking in the glow of his father's loving confidence, Tommy took control of the plane.
"Whee!" he cried, easily manipulating the plane around the room.
His father smiled proudly.
"Great! I knew you could do it! That's my boy!"
How dramatically things had changed for them. When had his father lost control? Why had it all come crashing down?
"Hey! Earth to Tommy!" Jamie snapped his fingers.
"Oh! Sorry."
"You were like a million miles away."
"Yeah. I was just thinking. Remembering when I got that plane."
"It is a cool toy. My father gave me one when I was a kid." Jamie replied.
"Me too. The Christmas I was six." Tommy said, emotion filling his eyes.
Jamie nodded, as he sensitively regarded Tommy. He knew something was up.
"You don't see him anymore, do you?" he asked carefully.
"No. We're not close. It's complicated."
Jamie knew when not to push and wisely let the topic go.
"Come on. Let me pay for this and we're outta here. Besides, it's almost time for my 3:00 latte."
An hour later, Jude and Kat entered the food court, arms laden with shopping bags. Eagerly, they sought and located the table where their boyfriends sat, oversized cups in front of them. Both men gestured frantically, clearly engaged in spirited conversation. Curious, Jude's ears picked up as she and Kat approached them.
"So, that's why the NY dolls can be considered both punk and glam." Jamie insisted.
"I'm telling you, no way. You are so wrong!" Tommy responded.
"Give it up, Quincy. You may know something about modern pop music. But your knowledge of the underground punk scene pales in comparison to mine! I am the master of that universe!" Jamie gloated.
"Yeah! Right! You wish!"
"Care for a contest?"
"Yeah. Any time! Anywhere!" Tommy rose to the challenge.
"Ahem! Remember us?" Jude asked.
"Vaguely" Tommy responded, leaning over for a quick kiss as she sat down besides him. Jamie greeted Kat with equal affection.
"I see you've been busy." Jude noted the packages on the floor next to her boyfriend.
"Yeah. Jamie here may not know much about music. But he's a great shopping helper." Tommy said, giving credit where it was clearly due.
"I know. He's a real girl that way!" Jude responded, knowing it would get a rise out of Jamie.
"Hey! Watch it, Harrison!" Jamie protested.
"Just kidding!" she assured him.
"Anyway, you're one to talk. Just look at all this." Tommy said, surveying Jude's many parcels.
"Leave anything for anyone else?"
"Not much"
"And I suppose you expect me to help you carry all that stuff."
"Of course!" Jude grinned.
"Whatever!" Tommy shrugged his shoulders agreeably.
"I'll help. Especially with that one." he said, gesturing to the long plastic garment bag Jude pressed protectively close to her body.
"It's okay. This one, I can handle." Jude smiled.
"You just don't want me to see it." he replied knowingly, realizing it was her dress for the New Year's party.
"That's right. As you said, you gotta wait for it!" she threw back at him.
"Whatever!" Tommy repeated cheerfully.
"Come on. Let's go." Kat said.
The foursome gathered up their vast array of shopping, and left the mall.