Chapter 2: A Long Time Coming

They both opened they're car doors and exited the Hummer. Jude took in the sight surrounding her and smelled the fresh air. Tommy had brought her to the lodge. The same one that she had brought him to for his birthday. The same lodge where they had made love for the first time. The same lodge where they had fallen deeper in love than either would have ever thought possible.

The little lake was unfrozen now. The trees weren't covered with snow any longer. It was spring time. Flowers were beginning to bloom. The lake was calm and clean. The sun was out warming the earth with it's rays. The lodge stood there surrounded by trees, as beautiful as ever.

Finally, Jude turned to Tommy and met his gaze.

Jude: "I can't believe you brought me here. It's even more beautiful now than in the winter time."
Tommy: "I know. I wanted to do something special for you."
Jude: "Thank you. It looks different with all the snow gone."
Tommy: "Yeah, but it's still deserted." he said a little devious. Jude caught the tone in his voice and smiled. She leaned in and kissed him tenderly.

Finally pulling away a few seconds later Tommy: "Come on! Let's go inside."
He grabbed her hand and took out the keys from his pocket. Unlocking the door he pulled Jude inside before him.

The furniture hadn't changed but Jude couldn't believe her eyes. There were red and white roses everywhere. On all the tables. On the floor, surrounded by scented candles that were set up on all the tables but weren't lit. The smell of the flowers had filled the air mixing with the fresh grass smell from the outside. As Jude looked around taking in the smell and sight she couldn't believe what she saw when she turned to face the wall across the room.

It was a huge poster hanging across the entire wall. Astonished she read it. "Jude Harrison, will you marry me?" tears filled her eyes as she searched the room for Tommy. Her heart raced. She gasped for breath trying to steady herself.

Tommy stood by the chimney leaning against the wall, holding one single red rose in his hand watching her. Jude just stood there looking back at him as tears of joy were coming down her cheeks. Finally Tommy pushed himself of the chimney wall and began walking towards her in slow motion.

Tommy: "Jude, for as long as I can remember I knew what I wanted. Fame, fortune even groupies. When I finally got that I wanted more. What I got was you. More than I will ever deserve. You fill that gap in my heart. You make me whole. You make me a better man. It's because of you that I am the way I am today. Words can't express how much I love you. I not only want you in my life but I NEED you. When you're not with me I am lost. You're all I think about, all I dream about. You're the one for me. Jude, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

He stopped finally reaching her and held out the rose for her to grab. She stood there in shock, more tears streaming down her face. He reached in his pocket and took out a little velvet box. Facing her again, he opened it as he took one of her hands. Staring back at Jude was a beautiful platinum and diamond engagement ring. It had a big, trapezoid diamond in the middle, surrounded by little diamonds underneath. It looked so elegant and unique.
Tommy: "Do you like it? I had it specially made for you."
Jude stayed quiet a little while longer, still in shock. She had expected anything but this. Tommy always had a way of surprising her.
Tommy: "Jude? Please say something." he began to grow nervous. He wanted nothing more than for her to say anything as long as she didn't keep quiet. But all he got was a blank face staring at him as more tears streamed down.

She finally picked up her gaze that had been concentrated on the ring and faced Tommy. He stood there anxious for her to answer but crumbling inside to hear her say "Yes". Jude tried to speak but her voice failed her. She coughed a little trying to clear her throat and finally all she could manage to say was "YES" as she shock her head in approval.

Tommy's smile widened from one ear to the other. He let out a sigh letting her answer sink in and then picked her up and twirled her around the room. Eventually, he carefully set her back down on solid ground and placed the ring on her finger. Jude threw her hands around his neck and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Holding on to him like he might slip away if she let him go.

Jude: "Oh my God Tommy, I can't believe we're engaged." she beamed releasing him.
Tommy just laughed and kissed her again: "I don't ever want to be away from you again."
Jude: "Me neither. Hey, when did you do all this? And how did you rent this place in such a short time?" she asked as she looked around the room again.
Tommy: "Kwest and Amy drove up here last night and organized everything the way I had told him to. Oh, and I didn't rent it. I bought it."
Jude: "You bought it? When? Why?" she looked stunned.
Tommy: "Yes. This place holds the most special memories of my life. I couldn't give it up and I didn't want to share it with anyone except you."

Jude looked at Tommy and took him by hand. She led him in the direction of the bedroom. Tommy raised his eyebrows realizing where Jude was leading him and obediently followed. Finally reaching the bed Tommy climbed on top. Jude, underneath him, tugged at his shirt and dragged him closer, now kissing him with full force. Minutes later they both lay naked in bed sealing they're engagement with bittersweet love making. Heat filled the room. Tommy held on to Jude's warm skin under the bed sheets. Savoring the precious moments he spend with her. Caressing the woman who was soon to become his wife.

The next couple of days went by too fast. The night before they had to return Jude was in the house while Tommy was barbequing outside. It was around 10:30 PM. At last, Jude came outside in a bathing suit and joined Tommy.

Tommy: "Hey, where do you think you are going like that?"
Jude smiled: "For a swim. Want to join me?"
Tommy: "Swim? The water is still cold."
Jude: "I thought we could warm each other up afterwards but if you don't want to, suit yourself." she said teasing.

Tommy set the fork down and pulled his shirt off. He grabbed Jude's hand and together they ran towards the peaceful lake. Once inside Jude went in for a dive. Tommy swam up behind her and pulled her out of the water. She screamed. Not out of fear but out of joy. He turned her around to face him. The water was cold but she didn't care.

Tommy: "I love you, soon-to-be-Mrs. Quincy."
Jude smiled and kissed her fiancée. She shivered noticing a draft in the air.
Tommy: "Come on, it's getting cold." they swam to shore and Jude walked out in front of Tommy. He grabbed her hand to stop her. She turned around and looked at him wondering what he was thinking. The water dripping of his chest. His hair a mess yet he never looked more appealing. "This gorgeous man is going to be my husband." she thought to herself.

Tommy's gaze intensified on the woman staring back at him. Her bikini sticking to her wet body. Her hair dripping around her perfect face. "She is perfect and she is mine." he thought. Tommy approached her and they kissed. She combed his hair with her hands as he ran his hands down her back. Then, he surprisingly let go of her after only a few seconds and walked over to the Hummer. He then turned the key in the ignition and pushed some buttons on the CD player. "You're Eyes" came on. He turned the volume up and walked out of the car.

Tommy: "Dance with me!" he said as he held out a hand.
Jude: "Here? Now?"
Tommy: "Why not?"

He put his hands around her back and pulled her close. She wrapped her hands around his neck and put her head on his shoulder. Skin against skin they danced in the moonlight under the stars. The Moon's light radiated on the lake. No one was around but Tommy and Jude. That had been the most perfect week either had ever had.

End Of Flashback

Jude snapped out of her memory and turned her head away from the picture. She walked over to it and sat the frame down facing the table, so she couldn't see it any more. Brushing her tears away with her sleeve she turned around, grabbed her purse and suitcase and left the apartment. She walked downstairs where a cab was waiting for her. The driver got out, put her suitcase in the trunk as Jude hopped in the back seat.

Driver: "Where to Miss?"
Jude: "The airport." she said taking one last look at what used to be her home.