Chapter 26 - There They Were

The room was silent. Every pair of eyes was on Jude. No one brought themselves to say a word. Kwest jumped to his feet and pulled her to him. Jude smiled feeling welcome for the first time since she had stepped through the door.

Kwest: "It's good to have you home." he whispered.

Victoria: "Jude?" she asked, her voice trembling. She pushed herself slowly off the couch and walked towards her daughter shaking in disbelieve. Jude smiled at her mother warmly. Victoria let out a cry and ran to her daughter embracing her. Everyone looked at each other in amazement and than finally walked towards the pair. Victoria finally let go of Jude so every else could have they're turn. After endless kisses, tears and hugs it was time for an explanation.

Jude: "I know you're all wondering what's going on." she said not being able to face her family. Everyone was in tears of joy. Jude walked over to the window and finally turned towards the deadly silence.

Jude: "I got into an accident and was thrown out of the car and into the water underneath the bridge. A few hours later I was declared dead. For some reason I didn't try to prove them wrong." she said afraid of everyone's reaction. After the silence continued she went on "I left Canada because I wasn't going to come back. I wanted to disappear instead I got into this accident and things just kind of happened. I know I was wrong. I put you all through a lot and I'm sorry." Jude stopped when she saw her mother walk towards her. She stopped in front of Jude and slapped her right across the face. Jude raised her hand to her cheek in bewilderment. It burned but she knew she deserved it. Everyone was shocked at Victoria's outburst.

Victoria: "Do you have ANY idea what you put me through?" she demanded.

Jude: "I'm sorry." she whispered.

Victoria: "Sorry? You let me believe you were DEAD. How could you? How DARE you? After everything we've been through you pull something like this. My own daughter."

Jude: "Mom, I never meant to hurt you. I was going through a lot and I didn't know how to deal with it." she said tears forming in her eyes. Sadie stood up and embraced her sister lovingly. Jude cried on her shoulder. Victoria looked at Nick and than back at Jude and Sadie. She threw her arms around her daughters and cried with them. For the first time everything felt right since the phone call that had changed her life.

Victoria: "Don't you EVER scare me like that again." she said through her sobs.

All of a sudden all eyes were on Jordan. No one knew who he was. They all looked at him quizzically.

Kwest: "Jude, aren't you forgetting something?" he asked.

Jude smiled: "Oh sorry." she walked over to Jordan who looked very uncomfortable and took his hand to lead him further inside the room.

Jude: "This is Jordan. I stayed at his hotel." she said.

Jordan smiled sweetly and waved. Everyone returned his welcoming smile except Kwest. "Jordan? Tommy is not going to like this." he thought. All of a sudden the door swung open and EJ ran to Jude almost squishing her in a hug.

Jude: "Ok EJ. I'm not going anywhere." she tried to get the young woman to release her.

EJ: "Oh my God, Jude. Do you have any idea how much you scared me?" she asked finally letting go of her.

Time progressed. Everyone was there except for Tommy. Even Georgia and Andy had shown up. Jude explained why she did what she did and all was forgiven. They were just happy to have her back. EJ branched off and befriended Jordan. They seemed to hit it off right away and before the night was over EJ had convinced Jordan to let her show him around. She called it a date. Victoria demanded Jordan stay with her and Nick until he got settled in on his own. He didn't fight her on it, seeing that he had no where to go. Kwest told Jude everything that had been going on with Tommy. The fights he got into and his constant drinking. He also informed her that Chris had wrapped up her album and left G Major for good, after Tommy had told her he'd never love her.

After catching up with everyone it was time to go and see Tommy. She said her farewell, made sure Jordan was Ok with her leaving him behind and made her way to the apartment. Once there she knocked but no one opened the door. Jude catapulted herself on her toes and reached for the doorframe above the door. Bingo, she found the spare key. Once she unlocked it she walked through the door, scared to death of Tommy's reaction. Jude looked around slowly and closed the door behind her. There were beer bottles everywhere. Her broken plaque and plasma TV in a far corner. The place looked like a pig sty.

Jude: "Tommy?" she called out slowly. No answer. She walked around looking for him and calling his name but she didn't find him. One last room to check. The bedroom. She slowly opened the door and peaked her head through.

There he was hidden under the covers. The room smelled of alcohol. The blinds were closed. Jude walked over to the window and opened it letting the fresh air fill the room. It was colder outside now, the leaves were falling and the cold air entered the room instantly. Than she walked over to Tommy who was sound asleep. She sat down next to him and just watched him sleep for a while. She slowly and gently brushed a few hairs off his face and smiled to herself. He looked so peaceful that she didn't want to wake him. She'd let him rest for now.

All these night she had longed to wake up next to him. All the minutes she had spend running away when she could have been there with him, safe in his arms. All the tears she had cried and made herself feel lonely when she could have let them be together and happy. How she longed to have those strong arms around her just then. She kissed his forehead but he didn't budge. When she pulled the blanket off of his head a picture caught her eye. She picked it up. It was a picture of her and him. She smiled knowing he had slept with a picture of her. It made her feel warm inside.

Instead of waking him up she decided to just let him be for now. She picked up all the beer bottles and trash out of the bedroom and made her way to the living room. She opened all the windows and the chill caused her to tremble a little. Then she started with the living room, picking up trash and throwing it away. She made her way to the kitchen and washed the endless stack of dirty dishes. She threw everything out including the empty bottles, broken TV and the plaque. Now that everything was polished and clean it actually looked livable not to mention it smelled fresh.

Satisfied with the work she had accomplished, she walked back to the bedroom and peaked her head through the door again. Tommy was still sleeping like a baby. She smiled and walked back to the couch resting her eyes. A few minutes later she was asleep.

Endless time passed and Tommy finally woke up. Still half asleep he made his way to the bathroom and jumped straight into the shower. The cold water woke him right up. Jude heard the water running and jumped to her feet. As she looked around she realized where she was. Her whole body tensed up as the realization hit her that Tommy was about to see her for the first time, after thinking she was dead. She started to pace around in panic. Tommy ran the shampoo through his hair and let it slide down his body with the water. His muscles ached from sleeping so much. He was tense but as the water started turning warm it relaxed him. Finally he got out and wrapped a towel around his waist. As the water dripped off of him, leaving a trail, he walked back to the bedroom and threw on some sweats. He then made his way to the living room.

Jude heard him coming and froze. She stood there waiting to see him, in anticipation. The steps were getting closer. She clenched her fists, scared but happy at the same time. Her heart raced million beats per minute. She almost couldn't breath and felt the air get thinner in the room. And then there he was, stopping dead in his tracks. She looked at him. He looked at her. Neither said a word.

Just wanted to take a moment and thank you all for still reading this and for all the feedback I've been getting. It means a lot to know you all support me. So thanks

Minela