Chapter 30 - The Wedding
Person: "I have something to say." Jude and Tommy both turned to face whoever had just said that. The people all broke out in whispers. Jude couldn't believe who was standing before her, objecting to her marriage.
Jude: "What are you doing?" she asked nervously.
Person: "Jude, can we talk?"
Jude looked at the reverend and smiled apologetically.
Jude: "Shay, I am getting married. Can't it wait?"
Shay: "No Shorty, it can't. Please?" he pleaded.
Jude turned to Tommy: "I'm sorry. Wait just a sec." she said and walked down the alter to Shay. He grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the guests. Everyone gasped and looked at each other. Tommy stood nervously alone at the alter while his bride was off talking to another guy.
Jude: "Shay, what is going on?"
Shay started to pace back and forth: "I tried keeping quiet and letting you be happy but I can't anymore. I need you to know how I feel for you before you go any further." he said and stopped in front of her. Jude wasn't understanding anything.
Jude: "Shay, what are you talking about?"
Shay: "I love you."
Jude: "Shay, I-"
Shay: "I know. Perfect timing. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I tried letting go. I tried moving on, believe me. But you, you won't let go of me."
Jude: "I don't know what to say."
Shay: "Say the truth."
Jude looked at him, his expression carried nothing but pain and she hated being the cause for it.
Jude: "Truth? I love Tommy. I have always loved him."
Shay nodded. He knew it had been a long shot but one he had to take.
Shay: "Go Shorty. He's waiting for you."
Jude: "What about you?"
Shay: "I'll be fine. Go." he told her. Jude turned around to leave but stopped. She walked back to Shay. He looked at her. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
Jude: "I am in love with Tommy but you will always have a special place in my heart." she whispered and let go. Her comforting words made the pain a little more bearable.
He watched her walk out of his life forever. He watched her walk back into another man's arms. He watched Tommy take her hands in his. He watched her tell the reverend to continue on with the ceremony. He watched her but she never looked back his way. It was answer enough for him. He took one last look at her and walked out, broken hearted and alone.
The rest of the ceremony went out without a glitch. Jude didn't explain to Tommy what had happened but there was time for that later on. Jude and Tommy held each other's hands while the reverend spoke.
Reverend: "Now, these two young people have chosen to recite they're own wedding vows, Thomas" he said. Tommy turned to Jude and took both of her hands in his.
Tommy: "For as long as I can remember I've been looking for something. I had no idea what until you stepped into my life. You were the sun that shone in my life when it was dark and gray. You were the angel that was send to me and brought me back to life when I thought I wouldn't be able to go on. It wouldn't matter if the WHOLE world belonged to me if I didn't have to share it with. Nothing matters without you and I can't imagine life without you in it. I once said music was the most important thing in my life. I should have mentioned that you ARE my life. I love you Jude, for now and forever."
Reverend: "You may now place the ring on her finger." he said. Jude wiped the tears off her cheeks and let Tommy slip the ring on her finger.
Reverend: "Jude, you may now tell Tommy how you feel."
Jude: "When we started what we now have, it was forbidden but how could something so right be so wrong? You fought for us when I was ready to give up. You stood by my side when I thought I would crash alone. It didn't matter that I was having a bad headache or trouble writing a song because you were always there. You never judged me. You accepted me for who I am and never tried to change me. My life is nothing without you. I am nothing without you. There were times when I thought it was really over but you kept on fighting and now, deep down, I know that you will always fight for us and I love you for it. Tommy you are my life for now and forever."
Tommy stood frozen. What she had said would stay with him forever. He knew no one would ever love him the way Jude loved him. It wouldn't matter anyways because this was the woman he couldn't see himself without. Jude slipped the ring on his finger. They said they're I do's. Tommy removed the veil off Jude's face and took her in for a passionate kiss. All this time, this is what he had wanted to do. Hold her, kiss her. It didn't matter that all they're family and friends were watching. They took the other's hand and faced a satisfied crowd. Cheers and applause exploded.
Victoria, Elizabeth, Fabricio and Georgia were all in tears. They all got up and congratulated the newly-wed couple. Tommy didn't leave Jude's side for one second. The after party was filled with great food, music and laughter. It was time for the traditional father-daughter dance. The dance floor cleared. Stuart took Jude's hand and led her to the dance floor. Soft music filled the air. Stuart smiled warmly at his little girl. All eyes were on Stuart and Jude. They looked at each other both knowing that this was the moment he had to let go of his little girl. Finally, as the soft music filled the air, they began to move on the dance floor.
"Dear daughter of mine,
Don't forget you're still my sun shine.
I know you're grown, your own woman now,
Years have flown by, I don't know how.
Baby girl don't forget your dad,
Remember me from time to time and the moments we had.
Prayed this day wouldn't come,
My baby girl becomes another man's sun.
Prayed for my little girl to stay that way,
Little and mine every day.
Prayed to hold you in my arms for time to come,
Now you've become another man's only one."
Stuart held on to Jude as if he would never again get the chance to hold her. He never took his eyes off hers. With the soft voice over the stereo Stuart began to sing along to the lyrics. Jude smiled at her father. Tommy watched his bride overfilled with happiness and felt proud to have been the one to cause it.
"Baby girl listen close,
Your daddy's always here, right under your nose.
If ever you need whatever it is,
Your daddy's here to give you this.
This man may have won your heart with his charm,
But let your daddy know if he causes you harm.
Prayed this day wouldn't come,
My baby girl becomes another man's sun.
Prayed for my little girl to stay that way,
Little and mine every day.
Prayed to hold you in my arms for time to come,
Now you've become another man's only one."
The song ended. Both father and daughter were in tears. Stuart kissed Jude's cheek. She threw her hands around his neck and hugged him lovingly. All the guests clapped as Jude and Stuart made they're way off the dance floor. Jude joined Tommy again, who sat alone waiting for her. She kissed the top of his head and took a seat next to him. He took her hand in his and kissed her on the lips quickly. The music resumed and the dance floor filled with people again. Time passed and it was time for the bride and groom's dance. Kwest headed to the mixing board. Tommy stood up and helped Jude to her feet. It was hard for her to move around in the wedding dress. He took her hand in his and proudly led her to the dance floor.
He sprung her around. The dance floor cleared. Everyone surrounded them with they're eyes plastered on the happy couple. Tommy placed his hands carefully on Jude's hips as she swung her arms around his neck. Both staring the other in the eyes. Both smiling from one ear to the other. Soft melody filled the air. Jude recognized it the second it left the speakers. It was the song she and Tommy had sung together.
Jude: "You planned this?"
Tommy smiled: "Only for you." he said and kissed her cheek. Jude's voice softly filled the air. One step, two. Before they knew it both were lost not only in the music but in each other's eyes.
Jude: Now and forever is how things are going to be,
I am running home where you are waiting for me.
You picked up the pieces when I gave up hope,
Gave me a hand to grab and pulled me up the rope.
Tommy held on to Jude like someone would snatch her from him if he didn't hold on tight. She felt his warm hands both on her hips and to her back. He was pulling her closer and she let him. Now Tommy's voice filled the air. He softly sang along with it in her ear. His breath send chills down her spine.
Tommy: We were destined to be I see it all so clear,
I don't want you anywhere but here.
You glued me together when I fell apart,
You opened my mind and broke through my guard.
Both: Now and forever what comes doesn't matter,
All I need is you to make it through the rough weather.
You're my silver lining when I am under sea,
Now and Forever in your arms is where I am meant to be.
Tommy: Doesn't matter where or when the storm blows,
You're the one, my heart shows.
I'll protect you from harm, sorrow and pain,
You're the only one that keeps me sane.
Jude: Running through the fog trying to get away,
But I couldn't escape you cuz my heart wanted to stay.
Longing overcomes me every time you smile,
It brightens my day even if only for a while.
Both: Now and forever what comes doesn't matter,
All I need is you to make it through the rough weather.
You're my silver lining when I am under sea,
Now and Forever in your arms is where I am meant to be.
Jude gently pulled Tommy away from her so she'd be able to face him. Still holding on tight to him she smiled knowing he was wondering what she was doing. Her voice was now blaring through the speakers and she began to sing along to it, just for Tommy. He smiled at her. She was really his. Only his. Finally. After all this time, all the pain and heartache and all the obstacles she was here, his wife. Jude Quincy.
Jude: Now and Forever you said we'd be,
I know you love me I can see.
Your touch fills the gap that was once in my heart,
I would die if we were apart.
You are the one for me I know its true,
Simply stated I am in love with you.
Tommy pulled her to him again, his head on her shoulder. Her warmth was making him weak. Her smell was like an intoxicating drug that he was addicted to. There was no cure for it and neither was there one for Jude Harrison. Not that he ever wanted one.
Tommy: Now and Forever I promise you here,
Give me your hand I need to know you're near.
My heart races with every step you take,
I love you more each day with every move you make.
Now and Forever time will tell,
Together we've left our protect shell.
The song ended. Tommy kissed Jude fully as everyone cheered, whistled and applauded. The cake was being rolled in.
Well that was the latest. Hope you all enjoyed it. I just wanted to say thanks to al of you that send me all the great feedback. And welcome to all new readers. That's all for now..
Minela