"Hey it's Tom I can't get to my phone right now if you'll leave your name number and a brief message I'll get back to you as soon as I can thanks"
"Hey Tom, it's Stuart, Jude never came home last night so I assume that she's sleeping in your guest bedroom, like I said I assume she's sleeping there. Well anywho Victoria, Sadie, and I were wondering if you and Jude could come over when you get this message we umm would like to you your present. Talk to you later, and Jude Honey I hope you slept well"
The message ended with laughter coming from Stuarts end of the phone call. While Tommy and Jude stood in the living room next to the answering machine, the call came in at 9:30 and they were now listening to it at 10.
"So I guess we should head over there right?" Tommy said looking at Jude who had a confusing look on her face.
"I guess, I just have to call the studio and tell them that I couldn't make it in today." Jude said as she made her way back to the guest room where she left her cell phone last night.
"No need, I called them while you were in the shower, So I guess our plans for breakfast are out of the question, you're dad sounded pretty serious I just hope he isn't mad that you spent the night her on your first night being back in town." Tommy said nervously he and Stuart had built a strong bond and he didn't want it ruined because of his love for his daughter.
"No, Tommy come on get real I've spent the night here many times, it's like my second home and my parents know it. So I think we should just head over there and see what they have in stored for you." Jude said smiling for she already knew what the present was and she was touched that her father decided to give it to Tommy.
"Ok whatever you say Ms. Harrison."
"I remember the last time you said that to me, when I was coming home from my first tour after I kissed Jamie in front of you."
"Yeah, would it be out of line to tell you that I was a wee bit jealous, but you know after I tried pulling you into that hug, my nose didn't stop hurting all day."
"Hey shut up" Jude said as she shoved Tommy lightly as they made there way to the elevator.
"Yeah whatever Moose Jaw."
"Hey I thought you got over that name."
"Yeah well I thought you got over that whole Ms. Harrison flashback."
"I did but oh well never mind." Jude said as she pushed the "G" button on the elevator panel.
As Tommy and Jude made their way out of Tommy's apartment complex one eager to find out what their birthday present was and the other, hoping the other would enjoy it. Tommy and Jude walked causally to the Viper and pulled out heading in the direction of the Harrison home.
"Tommy?"
"Yes, Jude"
"When are we going to pick up my mom's car."
"Oh, shit I completely forgot we can go get it now and then head over to the house."
"Yeah I think that'd save us an argument don't you think"
"Yes, I think so"
So instead of taking the exit to Jude's house they stayed on the highway heading to G-Major to retrieve the missing car. As the reached the parking lot Jude jumped out of the passenger side and raced to her mom's car making sure there were no scratched as Tommy shook his head and smirked Jude looked up at him and stunk her tongue. Both now in route the Harrison home they raced back and forth speeding past cars on the highway. Of course, Tommy made it to Jude's house first, and killed the ignition hoped out of the driver's seat and leaned against the hood of his car awaiting Jude's arrival, sure enough came the beautiful red head with a sour face as she pulled into her drive way in the spot her mother always parked it.
"Are you ready to head in and get your present."
"Of course but do you have any idea what it is."
"Yes, I do but you're seductive persuasion will not win me over." Jude said smiling at Tommy while taking his hand intertwining their fingers together and heading for the front door, only to be greeted by warm hugs from the rest of the Harrison Gang.
"Tommy Happy birthday"
"Thank you Mrs. Harrison"
"Oh please Tommy call me Victoria, we've seen each other so much you're considered family"
One more point for the Harrison family, Tommy's heart was getting fixed bit by bit each day as he embraced every member of the family while feeling completely calm and at home in their presence.
"Tom, Glad you could make it, we just got finished making some breakfast crepes it's a tradition so we thought you might like it."
"Thank you, soo Um sorry to you know hit the nail on the head, but can I get my present now?" Tommy said acting as if he was a five year old.
"Tommy, You're going to have to wait 'til after breakfast." Sadie said while punching him lightly on the arm and hugging him in a welcoming embrace.
"Well in that case, I'm starving can we eat now." Tommy said while rubbing his stomach.
"Of course come on Stuart's just putting the finishing touches on the crepes as we speak." Victoria said while rushing the three young adults into the kitchen.
They all sang "Happy Birthday" To Tommy and he couldn't help but laugh, because he had never had anyone do this for him, not even his family and he would never take this for granted. After twenty minutes of laughter and face stuffing Stuart walked in holding an envelope and handed it to Tommy. Tommy gave everyone a quizzical look and shook the envelope hearing a slight jingle in it.
"Quincy just open it already." Jude said as she grabbed his free hand in hers waiting for his reaction when he tore open the envelope his face was blank and emotionless.
"Tom, we've known you for three years now, we consider you family, you've taken care of Jude without even being asked to, and for that we will always be grateful, you have made her hopes and dreams come true, you have showed her more love than her mother and I could ever hope for, so this present to you is the deed to the Farmhouse, I remember Jude coming home from the weekend you two took when she was fifteen remembering hearing that you were reminded of the house as of your grandfather's. We realized that we haven't used it as much as we had hope to, and the last time any of us remembering going there was last year when you and Jude went there in December. So Tommy this our gift to you. The Farmhouse, consider it your first home."
As Stuart said those touching words to Tommy he couldn't help but tighten his grips on Jude's hand, and when he looked at her he had tears in his eyes.
"I can't begin to saw how grateful and thankful I am to you and your family Stuart, you guys have shown me so much care and love more than my own family and I will be forever in debt to you."
"No, Tommy you won't just make sure our little girl is happy." Stuart said as Tommy stood from his seat and gave him a hug. "Happy Birthday Son"
"Son" Tommy repeated those words as Stuart embraced him in a loving and fatherly way. All the times he had hoped for his father to hug him but never did, he couldn't help but shed a few tears of pain, and heartache. How could a family this family welcome him with open arms after the heartache he put their two daughters through all these years. Then he realized something they loved him, just as much as he loved Jude and always will.
"Thank you so much." Tommy said as he took the rounds hugging Sadie, Victoria and reaching Jude he picked her up in his arms and gave her a tender and warm loving kissing and when they parted he dug his face in the crook of her neck and spoke into her neck. "I love you so much, thank you for sharing your family's love with me." Jude could help but smile and hug him tighter as tears came to her eyes.
After hours of talking Stuart asked Tommy to talk "privately" away from the women as they chatted about why Jude seemed to be so happy and glowing.
"Tom, I have come to realize that my daughter is in love, and as a father it is hard for me to let her go, but now I realize that if I truly love her I have to."
"Umm Stuart I don't know where you're going with this."
"Say no more Tom, just listen." As Tommy nodded Stuart walked over to his desk and opened a draw and picked up a small box. "This was my mother's wedding ring, and she told me that one day a man will come into Jude's life and steal her heart and there wasn't anything or anyone could do about it. I reluctantly listened to her as she gave me a talk, about knowing that Jude's purpose in life was to love unconditionally and to make people see true love and feel the need for it also. And I see that now, that she has changed you from the first time I have met, you. I first thought of you as some Playboy out to break numerous amounts of hearts, but when you met Jude and had gotten to know her she changed you. In ways that only you know."
"Yes, she did, she made me a better person, she made me a person that I wanted to be, I wanted to be the person who was good enough for her love. She loves with her hole heart while I on the other hand take years to express my feelings and to fully trust someone, Jude she just lays everything on the line, not caring about the betrayals that may come of it."
"I knowand that's what makes her wonderful person, a beautiful young woman. So here, give this to her when the time is right, ask her to be yours for the rest of her life and you won't be disappointed with the answer." Stuart said handing the small box to Tommy he just studied Stuart's face realizing the seriousness of the talk they were having.
"Are you giving me, permission." Tommy said almost shocked and relieved at the same time, he always knew that Stuart was never very fond of the age difference between Jude and Tommy but as the years came and went he must have realized the changed that both of them had endeared.
"Yes, I'm giving you permission to marry my baby, my little girl I give you permission to take her away from me and make her happy in ways I cannot, I want you to be happy, married, have a family and make use of the home I gave you."
Tommy soaked in all the information Mr. Harrison was giving him and nodded.
"I will. I promise I will never break her heart."
"Good, now lets get back out there before we have them start worrying about our whereabouts." Stuart said while giving Tommy a firm hand shake and a pat on the back.
Tommy and Stuart both went back into the living room while the women were chatting up about fashion, music, and anything that came to mind.
"Jude, you ready to go."
"Yes, I am actually just let me go get changed and then we can go, wait where are we going?" Jude asked before reaching the bottom step of the staircase.
"Well I was thinking that we could go get a look at the house." Tommy said he wasn't sure if he should have added 'our' instead of the, not yet at least.
"Oh Ok, give me two seconds and I'll be down before you know it."
"Oh, let me make myself comfortable on the couch then."
"Hey I'm not that bad." Jude said as she pouted her way up stairs. While Tommy just shook his head.
Low and behold ten minutes later Tommy and Jude were making their way out of Jude's family's house and into the Viper heading for the destination of Tommy's new home. And Tommy thinking about the next question he was going to ask her. As they arrived at the Farmhouse after a long drive that was eating away at the both of them they finally finished pulling up the dirt road towards the house that held so many memories to them. Jude was the first out and she ran to the front door and realized this now didn't belong to her it belonged to Tommy.
"what are you waiting for Jude, you can go in."
"No I can't I just remembered this is your home." Jude said as Tommy made his way to the front door standing next to Jude's side.
"About that, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to you know" Tommy said while now facing Jude and turning her body towards him "Live here with me?" Tommy asked with hope and a hint of eagerness in his voice.
"Are you saying that you want me to move in here with you, live with you as in together?" Jude ask as she jumped into Tommy's arms saying the same words over and over again. "Yes, Yes, I will Tommy, I love you so much."
As Tommy swung him and Jude around smiles and laughter come from each other they finally came to a halt and he took the keys out of his pockets and then picked Jude up bride style and carried her into 'their home'.
Thanks so much for reading the chapter Hope you guys liked it.
Jess