Holiday- An Instant Star Christmas Story

Chapter 11- Auld Lang Syne

Author's Note: Well, this is it! The end of an era- just this chapter and another mini-chapter (epilogue) and we're done. But again, I'd like to thank everyone who supported me in this- I can't believe how popular it's been.

Happy New Year everyone! May we all share many more wonderful stories together! I hope to keep hearing from all of you through my other stories and also look forward to continuing to read yours!

dorothy

Chapter 11- Auld Lang Syne

Dressed formally in his dark suit, royal blue shirt and tie, Tommy stood in the hallway of the Harrison home, restlessly running his hand through his light brown hair. It was December 31, the night of G-Major's annual New Year's eve gala. As usual, Jude was late. Tommy smiled to himself; he had grown accustomed to this."

"Keep me waiting. Always that girl thing..." he mused. Usually, he didn't really mind, acknowledging that she was worth it.

Tonight was different and so special. Tommy felt that he waited forever for this moment. To finally attend this special event with Jude at his side. No longer would he have to watch her sharing this memorable evening with someone else; no longer would he be fated to do the same.

"This time, you're mine, girl" he thought, as a familiar tingle electrified his body.

His excitement only intensified as Jude appeared. Always the performer, she slowly descended the stairs, making a dramatic entrance. Her theatrics were completely unnecessary. From the second he saw her, Tommy stared, wide-eyed and fully mesmerized. She completely captivated him.

Jude wore a strapless, emerald green satin sheath. The bodice was heart-shaped and shirred, curving around her breasts and exposing just the right amount of the tender flesh to be enticing. Her skirt flared softly, showcasing long legs encased in lightly shimmering black stockings and rhinestone encrusted high heeled black shoes. Her dark auburn hair was curled and pulled back in a high ponytail, fastened with a jeweled bow clip. Of course, she wore Tommy's necklace and earrings, which perfectly accented the outfit. Her only other jewelry was a wide silver mesh bracelet with rhinestone accents.

Tommy remained entranced as his dream girl approached him, drifting easily into his now outstretched arms

"Pick up your jaw." she whispered, though spellbound herself. She traced one slender finger delicately down his cheek.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are tonight. You take my breath away, Jude Harrison. All I want to do is hold you and never let you go." Tommy replied, with raw emotion.

He dipped his head and kissed her lightly. Their foreheads touched as she responded.

"You can hold me as much as you want. I'm not going anywhere. Not without you. But tonight, we do have someplace to be."

"Yeah" Tommy admitted. The G-Major party constituted a huge media event.

"EJ and Georgia will kill us if we don't get there soon" he agreed. "Besides, the whole world should see how incredibly gorgeous you look right now."

"I could say the same about you. And I will." Jude proclaimed, whispering the words into Tommy's ear that made him melt.

"You are so wonderful. And incredibly handsome and sexy. I am so lucky. I just can't believe that I get to be the one with you tonight. Finally"

"Me too" Tommy agreed, flooded with the strongest happiness he ever knew.

After one more soft, but very loving kiss, Tommy reached for Jude's long black evening coat, slipping it over her bare shoulders.

"The limo's waiting" he said, slipping his arm around her to guide her to the waiting car.

Arriving finally at G-Major, they stepped back out into the black velvet night. Jude sighed.

"Ready?" she asked, knowing full well what awaited them.

"Ready" he replied confidently, lacing his fingers protectively through her own.

Outside, the bright camera lights immediately blinded them.

"Just keep smiling." Jude whispered.

"That's easy. I'm with you. I may never stop."

"Don't. I love your smile. And I love you."

"I love you too, girl"

Dodging the paparazzi, he eagerly led her inside.

"Wow!" Jude said, surveying the elaborate silver, red and white decorations, which completely transformed their record company's offices into a fairytale club.

"I don't know how EJ does it." Jude marveled. "She gets better at this every year."

"Yeah. She really does"

"Thanks!" EJ grinned, popping up behind them.

"Sneaky, EJ!" Tommy admonished her.

Their attractive publicist just laughed. Tonight, she wore a trendy black minidress with slashed sleeves.

"Hey, if you two weren't always so wrapped up in each other, it wouldn't happen. Anyway, you both look great. Now, here's what I need you to do."

"Not too much, I hope." Jude remarked.

"Not tonight." Tommy echoed her feelings.

"Please. You both know we gotta hype the rest of the tour. You two leave for the US with Spiederman in a few days. With the release of her last album, Jude's American fanbase exploded. Plus..." EJ paused dramatically, building up the suspense.

"Kevin Smith wants her."

"He does? For what?" Tommy reacted instinctively to EJ's words.

"Tommy" Jude replied, squeezing his hand.

"Seriously, EJ, what does a famous movie director want with me?"

"He's talking about having you write and sing the theme for his next film."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's here tonight and wants to meet you. I'll introduce you now. And Tom, there are some promoters here that need your personal attention. None of this should take too long!" EJ said, cheerfully.

"You'll be back in each other's arms before you know it."

"Better be!" Tommy thought.

He and Jude both shrugged, and went to take care of business.

An hour later, Tommy finished and eagerly sought out his girlfriend. Her bright green dress made her easy to spot, as she stood with Kevin Smith on the perimeter of the room. The director leaned closer and engaged her in lengthy conversation that clearly had nothing to do with music or movies.

"Gotta go break that up." he thought

Jude's eyes lit up when he approached.

"Hi" she said, kissing his cheek as his arm slipped around her slender waist.

"You know Kevin Smith." she continued.

"Yeah. We've met." Tommy's greeting was friendly enough, but the look on his face was unmistakable.

Kevin stepped back, recognizing a hint when he heard one.

"You're a lucky man. You've got a wonderful lady here. So, I think we've said what we need to and I'll leave you two alone. But Jude, I'll definitely be talking to you about that song. I think you're just the one to give us exactly what we want."

"Thanks"

"Excuse me, then."

Jude turned to Tommy, her radiant face glowing.

"Possessive, aren't you?"

"Yes. Extremely."

"Good"

"What was going on?"

"Nothing. He's just already a little wasted and unsteady. That's it. Trust me."

"I do. Speaking of." he added, grabbing two champagne flutes from a passing waiter, and handing her one.

"Here. I know you love it. And we need to celebrate."

Jude smiled, gazing deeply into his eyes as he continued.

"It's been an amazing year. These past few months with you... I can't even think of the words." he said, as their crystal glasses touched, making a soft tinkling sound.

"So, don't. Just dance with me."

"I could definitely do that."

They set their glasses down and walked towards the crowded dance floor. "Your Eyes" played and Tommy happily pulled Jude close to him.

"And I always thought you hated to dance." she remarked.

"I make exceptions to that rule. Anything to keep you in my arms." he whispered seductively.

"New year. A time for new beginnings. But we already have ours." Tommy added.

"Yeah. There's not one thing I'd change about this." Jude breathed.

His hold on her tightened, as he kissed her as deeply as he could. The spontaneous and very public display of such intense emotion stunned even Jude.

"What was that for?"

"Just me going for what I really wanted." Tommy grinned.

"Quoting your father. You really are glad you saw him, aren't you"

The couple had devoted considerable time to discussing the topic over the past few days. Right after meeting his father, Tommy reported their conversation to Jude.

"He told me that I was always stronger and smarter than he was. A better man. Cause I had the guts to go for what I really wanted. He didn't." Tommy disclosed to her.

"Makes sense" Jude nodded.

"He acted that way, because he was really unhappy. But you aren't" she added.

"No." he confirmed. "Not like him. I'm doing exactly what I want. And I'm with exactly who I want." he smiled softly at Jude, watching her love explode in her eyes.

"You were right." Tommy elaborated. "Seems as if I've already managed to avoid ending up like him."

"I guess you don't have to be afraid, then."

"Yeah. I go for what I want. And that's never going to be it. But I still don't know about seeing him. Being close to him. Or sharing my life with him. I don't know if I can trust him, ever. "

"Well, you don't have to decide that now."

"No. I need time."

But these thoughts remained completely distant as he danced closely with the woman he loved. The music changed and Jude lifted her head. She spotted someone from the corner of her eye. She hurried in that direction, easily pulling Tommy along.

"Jamie! Kat!" she yelled, hugging her two best friends. "You're here!"

"Like we'd ever refuse this! Besides, it's just not New Year's if we're not together! All three... I guess I should say, all four of us now." Kat responded, fondly.

"Thanks!" Tommy answered, with enthusiasm.

The next few hours drifted by. Tommy and Jude completely enjoyed themselves, accompanied by Kat, Jamie, Quest and his date Suki, Georgia, EJ and the Spiederman band members. At 11:50, the lights dimmed, as the evening became more intimate. The DJ spun Jude's smash hit ballad, "Take My Breath Away", the song she wrote for Tommy that summer. As always, it lured them into each others arms, holding each other as tightly as they could. They danced, fully lost in their magic, until the countdown began.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6..."

Tommy's hands tenderly cupped Jude's face, as hers locked behind his neck.

"5, 4, 3..."

Their lips slowly began to converge.

"2, 1! Happy New Year!"

Confetti streamed from the ceiling, as horns blared away. Tommy and Jude felt and heard none of it, as their mouths met and passion obliviated them.

"Happy New Year." Jude whispered, throatilly.

"Happy New Year, sweetheart." Tommy murmured back.

Their friends soon surrounded them, recklessly invading their privacy as more corks popped and champagne flowed freely. Tommy surveyed all the caring people around them. Hugs and kisses and good wishes floated easily among the group. He beamed radiantly, allowing their genuine warmth to engulf him, realizing for the first time all he had.

Jude noted his uplifted mood and the thoughtful look in his eyes. Once they were alone again, she commented on it.

"You look so happy. So peaceful." she said softly, sitting next to him in the back of their limo.

"You're right." he responded.

"I don't think I've ever seen you quite like this before. So relaxed... free..."

"Yeah, I've never felt this before. There's a weight off my shoulders. Somehow, being surrounded by everyone tonight, I discovered how much I have."

"We've good friends." Jude commented.

"Yeah. I need to remember that. Appreciate it more. And I feel closer to them now, and to your family, too. Somehow, with all this, I can let go of my anger. I don't need to hate my father. Cause he's not ruining my life anymore. But hating him could.."

"I always knew you were smart." Jude said, leaning her head against his chest.

"Yes. And my smartest move. Finally going after you. For real."

"Well, I'd have to agree with that."

"Four more days and then it's back to the road, with the Spiederman band chaperones. We won't have much privacy..." Tommy insinuated.

"We should take advantage of it." he continued.

"And we will." Jude agreed, sliding her arms around him, as the car stopped outside Tommy's apartment.

"Yeah. Starting right now..."