Holiday- An Instant Star Christmas Story
Chapter 9- Father Figures
Author's Note: Hi again! I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! Just a few words, and it's on to chapter 9. First, I know Christmas is over; I meant to have this "Christmas Day" chapter out by that day, but it just couldn't be ready... hope no one minds having this "holiday" go a bit longer! Seriously, I even thought about cutting or shortening this chapter, but I just couldn't... Jude's grandmother is just too cool and the rest of it too critical! Secondly, about this chapter title- I always pride myself on being 100 original. The title "Father Figure (s)" comes from the George Michael song, circa 1980's. "Supposed Rockstar" actually quoted the song first in one of her chapter titles, and I know one other person here has a story with that title. Ordinarily, I'd never ever, ever use something that's been "done" that way. But I just think it really fits here... this story is about Tommy's relationship with his own father; this particular chapter focuses on him and Stuart Harrison, as well as his own wish to have his own family. Plus, most of my chapter titles come from 1980's song lyrics... my friends don't call me "80's girl" for nothing. Try as I did, nothing else seemed to work! So, please excuse my "sharing"... then again, George Michael is actually the one "loaning" this to us all... If he only knew...
Ok... I've been silly enough... guess the cookie induced sugar high is still on! So anyway, you guys know the drill by now... read, enjoy and review!
dorothy
Chapter 9- Father Figures
In the middle of the night, the snow stopped falling, leaving a cloak of pristine, picturesque whiteness behind. Inside the Harrison home, Tommy slumbered peacefully, despite the narrowness of their couch. So deeply asleep was he, he did not hear Jude tiptoe quietly into the living room. Then again, she had no intentions of rousing him that way. It was 9:15; he did need to get up before Victoria and Sadie did. But three months on tour with him taught Jude a considerable amount about Tommy Quincy. He could get really cranky in the mornings, unless she approached him just the right way.
Jude slipped under the soft cashmere blanket next to him. As always, he woke happily to hergentle morning kiss. She then dropped her head onto his shoulder; he felt her light breath on his neck. Tommy automatically slipped his arms around her, holding her close. He knew only that he could wake up with her this way every day and never grow tired of it.
"Morning, sweetheart" he whispered, using his private nickname for her, a moniker he had never bestowed on anyone else.
"Morning, handsome" she replied.
"I can't believe you're up this early." he wondered. On tour, Jude was the complete night owl, up till all hours and not getting out of bed until noon.
"It's not that early. It's already 9:15."
"Feels earlier, somehow."
"Well, we stayed up pretty late last night. Watching those movies." Jude had remained downstairs with him until after 2:00 that morning.
"I guess I was too excited to sleep." he admitted.
"Yeah. I know. Me too." she said, unconsciously fingering her necklace. Tommy watched her and smiled.
"That looks so right on you. I knew it would."
"Of course you did. And of course it does. You gave it to me."
"Come here"
He drew her in for a long, deep kiss and Jude sighed.
"Much as I want to, we can't just lie here together. Mom and Sadie will be down soon."
"They do know I'm here?" Tommy questioned, not wanting to shock Victoria Harrison two mornings in a row.
"Yeah. But, still, you'd better get dressed. Me, too. We've presents to open and brunch to eat. Then, we're off to Dad's."
"Yeah" Tommy replied absently, his eyes slightly darkening. Jude instantly noticed that.
"I saw that look. Out with it, Quincy"
"Well, seeing your father. That's got me a little nervous." he admitted.
"Really? Why?"
"You told me how he is. How angry he got when Sadie was 18, and dated a 22 year old. Well, you're 18. And I'm even older than Sadie's boyfriend was. Two years older..." Tommy mused, stroking Jude's auburn hair.
"He's not exactly happy with me."
" I know." Jude said, honestly, and continued. "When I told my parents about us, my mom, as you know was uncomfortable. But my dad totally freaked!" Jude remembered.
"I know how tight you two were. At least, before the divorce. " Tommy began.
"Yeah. It's not quite the same now. We're not quite that close anymore. But I still love him. And some things never change. He's still overprotective."
"You're still his girl." Tommy said thoughtfully.
"I guess. Even with the babies..." Jude replied, softly.
"I don't want to cause trouble." Tommy added. "But I do want to be with you. I don't know..."
"He'll need time. But he'll see we love each other. That we're serious. He'll eventually understand just like mom did."
"He can have all the time he wants. Cause, I'm not planning on letting you go, girl."
They stared deeply into each other's eyes, surrendering irresistibly to another series of kisses. Reluctantly, Jude broke away.
"We'd better get dressed." she said, regretfully.
"Yeah. I guess you're right.
They showered and changed, finishing just as Sadie and Victoria Harrison awoke. Soon, the two women joined Tommy and Jude in the living room. He watched anxiously, as Jude distributed presents, handing his gifts to her mother and sister. Tommy carefully watched for their reactions. But Jamie's suggestions were spot-on. Sadie adored her baby-pink cashmere sweater with the jeweled neckline and Victoria went equally crazy over her Chanel#5 deluxe gift set.".
"Thank you, Jamie Andrews. I owe you one!" Tommy mentally noted.
Jude smiled blissfully, seeing three of the people she loved most so incredibly happy.
"Oh, look. I see one more present!" Victoria exclaimed, handing the red envelope to Tommy.
"This is from Sadie and me."
Surprised, Tommy took it. He had not expected anything.
"Open it!" Jude encouraged him, her blue eyes gleaming.
He did as she instructed, removing an Amazon gift certificate.
"Jude told us you love movies. That you have a big collection at home. So we figured, we'd help you make it bigger! We didn't know what you had, or which ones you wanted, so this seemed to be a good idea."
"It's great. Perfect for me. Thank you."
"Merry Christmas, Tom!" Sadie said, giving him a quick hug and a kiss on his cheek, Victoria responded similarly.
"I'm starving. Let's get brunch on the table. Then, you guys better hit the road!" she continued.
"Yes. I have to pick up Jimmy. His car's still messed up." Sadie agreed.
"So, let's get to it."
Around 2:00, Tommy carefully steered the Viper into the driveway of Stuart Harrison's home, located on the other side of town. The streets had been plowed, but the bitter cold still remained. He turned off the engine, and inhaled deeply.
Jude gently squeezed his hand, hoping to reassure him. She knew that there would be tension, but she had confidence in the two most important men in her life. Tommy and her father would find some way to work it out.
Tommy smiled at Jude, as they both got out of the car. They linked hands as they walked up to the front door. Before they could ring the bell, an older woman answered.
"Grandma!" Jude yelled, happily.
"My goodness! Look at you! Just beautiful. And the last CD you sent me! Loved it! I play it at my card games, so all my friends can hear it!"
"Bridge?" Tommy wondered, guessing from long-ago memories of his own grandmother.
"Grandma's a poker addict. Plays every week!" Jude informed him.
"Yes... I used to play with my husband. Beat him most of the time, too! Anyway, that last CD... so emotional. Pure, raw sounds... I take it this young man here is the reason why?"
"Yes. Tommy, this is my grandma Harrison..." Jude began introducing them.
"Violet" Mrs. Harrison corrected her.
"Grandma, this is my producer, Tommy Quincy." Jude continued, suddenly modest.
"Producer? Is that what you call him? Don't try to fool me young lady! Boyfriend is more like it, don't you think?"
"Well, yeah. He's that, too." Jude said, blushing.
"No need to be shy with me. I enjoy seeing two people so obviously in love. Reminds me of myself and your grandfather, rest his soul."
"He died four years ago." Jude informed Tommy.
"I'm sorry" he replied, automatically.
"Thank you. But we had a wonderful life together. Married over fifty years! I only wish everyone I love could be that fortunate." she sighed. Stuart's divorce shattered her, devastating Violet Harrison as much as anyone else in the family. She had adjusted, but remained a little wistful.
Her mind shifted to happier topics, as she beamed interestingly at Tommy.
"Producer, huh. You must tell me more about that. How do you put my granddaughter's wonderful records together?"
"Grandma used to sing, too." Jude added.
"A long time ago... I wasn't anything much... Not like her!"
"Don't believe that! She was awesome!" Jude retorted.
"Well, maybe we should just try you out. Jude could use some back-up!" Tommy joked.
Before she could respond, Stuart Harrison entered the hallway.
"Jude!" he called, warmly embracing his daughter.
"It's good to see you dad!" she burst out, returning his hug.
He broke away from her and locked eyes with Tommy. The two men stared intensely at each other.
"It's good to have you here today, Tom." Stuart Harrison greeted him, shaking his hand firmly.
"Thank you for having me." he replied, equaling Mr. Harrison's firm grip.
"Well, you are an important part of my daughter's life. We should talk. Get to know each other a bit better." Stuart continued.
"Yes" Tommy agreed, a bit uneasy.
"We'll do that later. For now, you both come sit down. Have something to drink. Get comfortable if my mother wants to talk your ear off!"
"Just asking this talented young man about his magic." Violet Harrison broke in, a twinkle in her eye.
"And I've absolutely no problem with that!" Tommy smiled charmingly at her.
"Shall we?" he asked, linking arms with Jude's grandmother, in an old-fashioned way, escorting her into the living room.
Violet Harrison was instantly and completely charmed.
"He's a keeper. Oh, if I were fifty years younger... Even forty! " she told Jude later.
Jude smiled, pleased with her grandmother's approval.
"But even if I was, it wouldn't matter." Violet continued. "He wouldn't want anyone else. He's obviously completely smitten with you, my dear."
"I know" Jude replied, then frowned.
"So, what's the problem?"
"Dad. He thinks Tommy's too old. Not right for me. I just hope he comes around." Jude confided, seeking her grandmother's support.
"He will, my dear. He's your father. He wants you to be happy. He will see that Tommy gives you that, and then he will trust him."
"You make it sound so simple." Jude marveled.
"It will be. With time. Ah, look. They're talking now."
A few minutes ago, Stuart Harrison had taken his wine glass and approached his daughter's producer-turned-boyfriend. Tommy stood alone, looking at the family pictures on the wall.
"Nice, huh?" Stuart asked.
"Yes. You have a wonderful family." Tommy replied sincerely.
"Yes. I'm lucky. Four beautiful daughters now. A wonderful and loving wife. A devoted mother. And a handsome, intelligent, energetic stepson."
Tommy nodded politely at that last comment. Jude had given him a very different picture of her stepbrother, David. She knew more about him, since they had attended high school together.
"A creep. Thought he was all that! And a total dog! Hits on every female he can!"
"Did he ever come on to you?" Tommy had wondered.
"Well, yeah. After dad moved in with Yvette. After I became famous. I guess I wasn't worth it before."
"You're right. He's a jerk. An idiot, too if he ever thought that. But if he tries anything now, he's a dead man!" Tommy promised.
"Don't worry. He won't. Not after what I said to him then!" Jude grinned at the memory.
"Good"
Stuart's voice jolted him back to the present.
"But right now, Tom, I"m interested in hearing more about you. Come, let's go chat in my den for a few moments."
Tommy walked with Stuart down to that room, trying hard not to gulp his red wine too conspicuously.
"So..." Stuart began carefully. "Jude tells me the tour is going very well."
"Yes. It's her best yet. I don't need to tell you what an incredible talent she's got. Or what an incredible person she is; that's really what makes her music so special. People can't help loving it. Loving her." Tommy replied naturally, not thinking about how much he was really disclosing.
However, the true meaning of his words did not escape Stuart Harrison.
"Is he... He's saying he loves her. My baby... and him?" Jude's father realized how honest Tommy was being, although in an indirect manner. Stuart opted to be completely truthful with him.
"Tom, I gotta tell you. When Jude told me back in August you two were together, I wasn't exactly happy. You are somewhat older than she is. More importantly, you don't exactly have a stellar reputation, especially when it comes to women."
"I know that, Mr. Harrison. I've been... a bit wild." Tommy acknowledged fairly.
"Three years you've been working with Jude. We've seen you in and out of the tabloids. With a different girl each time."
"It wasn't quite that bad. But it looks like it. I can certainly understand why you don't trust me."
"Jude was barely 18 when you two started dating. Legally, she's an adult. Able to make her own choices. Usually, I trust her. But I do have to wonder what went on all these years?"
"Nothing." Tommy assured him. "I cared about her. I would never use her. She was too young. I respected that. We never..."
"But it seemed that you didn't waste any time once she turned 18?"
"Actually, Jude turned me down for months. She didn't want me. Didn't trust me either." Tommy admitted.
Stuart smiled.
"Smart girl!"
"Yeah. I deserved that. I had to earn her trust. I hope to earn yours, too."
"Well, I'm not exactly one to judge. You know, I've made my mistakes too. Big ones! I'm just grateful Jude and Sadie are still willing to have any kind of relationship with me at all. I'd be crushed without them. Lonely. Part of me would be missing. When you're a father, you'll understand that."
"Maybe, I already do" Tommy thought, wondering for the first time if that was how James Quincy felt about him.
"Tom?" Stuart questioned, noting the distant look on his face.
"I'm sorry" Tommy refocused his attention from the image of his own father back to Jude's actual one, standing right in front of him.
"Just thinking about what you said. I guess that's why you worry about her and me. But I never mean to hurt Jude. She's everything to me." he assured Mr. Harrison.
"Yes, Tom. I believe you. Frankly, I never thought you two would last this long. There must be something important between you two." Stuart reluctantly conceded.
"You know how special she is. Is it really so hard to believe that I see it, too. I always have."
"Yes. I think you do. You aren't the creep I thought you were. But I'm still warning you. Just watch it!" Stuart threatened, with a smile on his face.
"Now, let's go back. Jude's probably worried, thinking I'm really gonna let you have it."
"Merry Christmas, Tom"
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Harrison.
"Stuart" the older man replied.
Side by side, they walked back to the living room. Stuart smiled, when he viewed the scene taking place in there.
"Kodak moment! Smile!" he yelled, taking his digital camera from his pocket and snapping a button.
Tommy smiled too. Jude and Sadie were sitting in front of the Christmas tree. Each held one of Stuart and Yvette's identical twin baby girls on their laps.
His eyes fixed on his girlfriend. His mind drifted forwards some years into the future, seeing a somewhat older Jude cradling a different infant girl in her arms. This one had her bright red hair and deep blue eyes. He saw himself beside her then, his arm around her shoulders, as she held that precious baby.
"Our child... Our family..." he fantasized, indulging the dream he abandoned years ago. For the first time ever, he could actually see it happening- but only with her.
Jude met his eyes then and smiled
"Come and see!" she called.
"Yes." Stuart added. "You go sit next to her. Jimmy, you sit next to Sadie. Let me get a picture of this."
Shrugging his shoulders, Tommy followed Stuart's directions.
"Would you like to hold her?" Jude asked, when her father finished.
"Could I? I've never..." he shyly began.
"Neither did I, before, really. But it's easy. Just hold the head like this." Jude demonstrated, before placing the baby into his arms.
Young Lucy Harrison cooed contentedly, as she looked up at Tommy.
"She likes you. She's happy." Jude commented.
"I do have a way with women." Tommy replied, smugly.
"Yeah. I guess you do. You clearly charmed all the Harrison women today." she answered, touched by the gentle way he held the baby.
"A natural. You'll make an excellent father, someday. I can always tell" Violet Harrison predicted, beaming at him.
Tommy smiled back, pleased by her confidence, even if he didn't share it.
The afternoon slipped easily into evening. Several hours later, Jude and Tommy said their goodbyes and left, driving over to his house as previously agreed. After the events of the past few days, they really wanted the time together. There was so much for them to discuss.
"So, about my dad? What did he say to you? Please tell me he wasn't too embarrassing!" Jude asked.
"No. He was fine." Tommy quickly assured her. "He was concerned I was some sort of womanizing monster preying on his innocent daughter. And considering the press I get..."
"Used to get" Jude corrected him. He patted her knee
"Used to get" he agreed. "I don't blame him. We talked. I assured him of my very honorable intentions towards you. I think he's happier now."
"Good!" Jude sighed in relief.
"I did love your grandmother. She's fun. Smart, too."
"Yeah. She's the coolest!" Jude responded, then remembered something her grandmother said.
"What?" Tommy asked, seeing the question in her eyes and her look of uncertaintly.
"Do you want kids, Tommy?" she blurted out. They had never talked about that before.
"Yes. Someday." he responded softly. "Do you?"
"Yes. Someday" Jude echoed.
"I just didn't think about it for a long time. But I do. I just didn't think it would happen. You know why."
"Yes, because of your father."
"I never thought that I would be much good that way..."
"I could understand that."
"Another reason to deal with him, for real." Tommy added, perceptively
"Because I want a future. My own family. And it won't work unless I resolve this crap with my dad" he thought silently, glancing again at Jude.
"I want you" his ruminations continued. "I know we're young. I know we're not ready. It's not our time yet. But it will be. I want you, Jude Harrison, always. You are my forever. I want us to have a family... To be a family... Someday." he realized.
Jude studied her boyfriend's face, not saying anything. She loved his soft, dreamy look; she could stare at it all day. She didn't know exactly what went on inside him then, only that those dreams included her. That made her even happier.
Tommy parked the car in front of his apartment.
"We're home" he said.