A/N: Song in this is Matt James "I Hate This Song".
Chapter Six Part Two: It Was All Just a Dream…
"Jude! Wake up! It's your birthday!"
Jude moved her head from side to side, fighting her hazy mind.
"Jude come on, wake up already!"
Jude opened her eyes to find Sadie standing above her, frowning.
"Are you okay?"
Jude starred at Sadie, confused. Then looked around.
"This is my old room…" Jude said to herself.
"Do you have a new one?" Sadie asked looking at her like she lost her mind.
"You're not pregnant…" Jude looked Sadie up and down.
"God, no! Have you lost your mind?"
"It was all a dream..." Jude put her head in her hands, rubbing her eyes. "Just a dream…"
"I hope so… otherwise you've completely lost it. And I don't think mom would like to take you to the mental institute on your birthday. So c'mon and get down stairs, mom's taking us out…" Sadie said walking to the door.
"Wait…" Jude snapped her head up. "Is it my birthday?"
Sadie turned and looked a Jude, "Uh… yeah…"
"My eighteenth birthday?"
"What one did you think it was?" Sadie asked confused.
Jude's eyes opened wide as she shot out of bed.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Sadie asked watching Jude run into her bathroom.
Jude looked at herself, noticing the same clothes she woke up with in her dream. With out a thought to her puffy eyes or smudged make up, she ran past Sadie.
"Jude where are you going?" Sadie yelled after her as she ran down the stairs.
"Tommy…" Jude threw back.
"Tommy?" Sadie thought for a second then ran down the hall. "What does my boyfriend have to do with anything?"
"Jude where are you going? I was…" Victoria asked as Jude ran down the stairs and opened the door, Sadie behind her.
"I'm sorry mom, but there's somewhere I have to be." Jude turned and ran out of the house, leaving a confused Sadie and Victoria behind her.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Tommy cracked his eye open then shut it against the offending sun light.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Groaning, Tommy threw himself from the couch where he fell asleep last night. He stumbled his way through the living room and to the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"I'm coming… I'm coming, hold your damn horses." He scowled at the door while he fumbled with the locks.
When he finally opened it, he was about to say a snappy comment, but held it to himself when he saw who was at his door.
"Hi…" Jude looked away at Tommy's shocked expression.
Jude stood before him in the same clothes she had on last night, except a little crinkled. She had two tear paths colored black from her make up. Her eyes were blood shot, puffy and slightly wild.
"Jude…" It was all Tommy could say.
"Tommy we need to talk." She announced as she slipped past him and into his house.
"Jude…" Tommy rubbed his eyes as he turned around, closing the door. He wasn't ready to face this. "I can't do this right now."
Jude turned and faced Tommy. "Can't do… Tommy did last night happen? I mean did we seriously…"
He looked at her desperately. "Jude, I thought we talked about this…"
"Oh god… we did." Jude closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall.
"Jude, please, don't make this any harder…" He was pleading with her.
"Any harder, Tommy? Are you kidding me!" Jude looked at him in disbelief. She turned and walked to his living room.
"Where are you going?" He followed her.
"To sit down, I really need to." She sat down and put her head in her hands.
Tommy stood off to the side at the window. After a few seconds of thinking, Jude brought her head up and stared at him.
"Are you planning on moving to the states with Sadie?"
Tommy swung around to face Jude. "Wha… how did you…"
"Oh god…" Jude cried into her hands. "This is not happening!"
"How did you know…?" Tommy frowned at her. "Is there something I am missing here? I mean you come barging into my house after I break your heart… now you're reading my mind… What is going on?"
"I had this dream…" Jude mumbled into her hands. "You, me, Sadie, Kwest… everyone. You left, came back. Sadie and Kwest… married. You beat me… you dying. I went to New York… old man…"
"Jude, what are you talking about? You aren't making sense." Tommy walked over to her and she stood up, still talking to herself.
"There was so much going on… cheese balls… pop tarts… Luc… Luc!" Jude looked up at Tommy, eyes wide. "Oh god…"
Tommy just looked at her the same way Sadie did, like she lost her mind.
"I have to go…" Jude turned and started to walk away, but Tommy grabbed her arm and turned her around.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"I… I…" Jude couldn't form the words, but his calm gaze, gathered her courage. Taking a deep breath, she spit it out. "I'm pregnant."
"Whoa…" He let go of her as he backed up a few steps shaking his head, eyes wide. "Wait… what!"
Tommy stared at her, willing her to talk. When she didn't he did. "How do you know? It was last night! I may not know much but I know it takes longer than seven hours to know!"
Jude shook her head and watched him. "Listen Tommy, I know I sound insane, but my dream…"
"Your dream? A dream!" He was extremely upset now. "You freak me out because of a dream! Are you kidding me?"
Something in Jude snapped. "Ya know what Tommy! If you want to believe that last night never happened, then go a head and tell yourself that! You want to think I lost my mind, go a head and think that too! But if I do turn out to be pregnant, you'll be sorry! It never happened, right!" She smirked at him before turning around and marching out of his house, slamming the door on her way.
Tommy stood in shock. He didn't know what to do or think.
When Jude left Tommy's house, she went home. By the time she walked through the door, she was exhausted. She closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Jude!" Sadie came down the stairs. "Where have you been?"
"I had some, uh, stuff to take care of." Jude tried walking past Sadie, but she grabbed her arm before she could get far.
"And what did my boyfriend have to do with it?" She stared at Jude curiously.
"He's my producer, Sadie, stop getting all jealous." Jude yanked her arm away from Sadie.
"Okay…" Jude turned and started walking up the stairs. "Well, then what was wrong with you this morning? You were kinda freaking me out."
Jude stopped and looked at Sadie, silent for a moment before she spoke. "Trust me, you don't want to know." She turned and left a confused Sadie staring after her.
Jude reached her room and fell onto her bed. Closing her eyes, she tried to fall asleep. But before she could, Victoria opened her door.
"Jude! Where did you go?"
Jude sighed. "I had something I had to take care of."
"Oh well, I want to take you and Sadie out today. You know a going away, birthday thing. Your sister leaves in the morning."
"I know, mom, but I really don't feel up to it right now."
"What's wrong honey?" Victoria asked concerned.
"It's nothing; I just didn't sleep too well last night." Jude rubbed her forehead.
"Oh well, if you're sure you don't want to go…" Victoria looked at Jude, frowning. When Jude did say and thing she nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Jude breathed a sigh of relief and fell instantly asleep. The next morning she woke up and took Sadie to the airport. After a half an hour teary goodbye, Sadie got on the plane and Jude and Victoria went home. Once Jude got home, she went straight to her room and back to bed. Sleeping through another day.
For the next few weeks, Jude spent her time avoiding everyone. Georgia, EJ and Darius tried to get a hold of her to go over the tour, but she refused to answer her phone and call back. They started coming to her house, but she wasn't there. During the day she found her own haven. A place she could go and not feel alone. A place where there was nobody to disturb her. At least, there wasn't anyone.
"So this is where you've been?"
Jude didn't need to turn around to know who was standing behind her. "What do you want Tommy?"
"Everyone's worried about you." Tommy came around to stand at her side.
Jude was sitting on the same bench her and Tommy had sat on when the worked on their first song together. Only this time, Jude faced the lake and her guitar sat unused beside her.
When Jude didn't say anything Tommy looked at her. "What's going on Jude? Why are you avoiding everyone?"
She stayed silent. Tommy took a deep breath and looked back out at the water. "Does this have anything to do with that night?"
"What night Tommy?" Jude looked at him finally. "The one that never happened?"
"Jude…" He turned to face her, Jude looked away.
"Never mind, forget I said anything." She went back to watching the ships floating by the docks.
They both became quiet as they watched the ships bob in the water and the birds fly above. The water as it slapped the docks filled their silence. Neither knew what to say. Tommy was confused but didn't know how to ask his questions. Jude was worried and didn't know how to bring them up.
"Okay, I cant take this anymore." Tommy finally said facing Jude again. "What's going on with you? Ever since that day you've been acting weird, is this about that 'dream' you had?"
Jude rolled her eyes and continued to watch a seagull fly past.
"Jude, it was just a dream." Jude looked at Tommy sharply.
"Just a dream? If it was 'just a dream' then how did I know you were thinking about leaving with Sadie?" Tommy's mouth moved but no words came out. "Exactly. By the way, why didn't you leave with Sadie?"
"Jude, don't." He stopped an argument before it started. "You know, it's probably just deja-vu."
"Yeah, probably…" Jude scoffed.
"What's that suppose to mean?" He frowned.
"Do you remember the last part of our last conversation?"
"The last part…?" Tommy thought to himself, Jude smirked. It took him a few minutes but Tommy finally got her point; his jaw dropped and eyes widened. "Wha… are… you're…"
Jude watched him move his mouth a few more times, trying to come up with the words to say.
"Do you know, I-I mean for sure?" He was stuttering and his heart was beating rapidly.
"For sure, no; but I have this," Jude held up a box. "To make sure."
Tommy looked at the box and closed his eyes as he rubbed his hands over them. "This isn't happening…"
"It is, so what are you going to do about it?" Jude grabbed her guitar and hopped off the bench. She gave Tommy a look before slipping past him and walking to her car.
Running his hand through his hair, Tommy turned around and faced Jude's retreating back.
"Jude"
Jude stopped and turned around.
"I want to be there when you take it."
She looked down at the box in her and then looked back up at Tommy. "Then follow me home."
"No. Come to my place, it's safer, with your mom and all."
"Okay," Jude nodded. "Then I'll follow you."
Tommy echoed her nod and headed for his car. Jude followed him from street to street until they stopped outside his house. She got out of her car and met him at the door. They didn't speak as he opened his door and followed her in the house.
"So, where's your bathroom?" Jude turned to face him, box in hand.
Tommy looked at Jude a moment then extended his arm to the stairs. "We can use the bathroom in my room."
Jude just nodded as she led the way upstairs. When she got to the top she stopped.
"The double doors on the left"
She nodded again as she turned and opened the doors. His room, like the rest of his house was white walled. He had a king sized bed on the wall the door was on, with a navy blue and black silk sheets and comforter spread across it. There were two night stands made of black metal and glass tops. A black dresser sat on the wall left of the bed and next to the doors. Double french glass doors sat on the wall opposite of the bed. On the far wall there was a black leather couch and a glass coffee table in front of it.
Tommy watched Jude look around the room. "Is it what you thought it would be?"
Jude looked around again. "Well, it's clean."
Tommy frowned.
"So, bathroom?" Jude turned and faced him.
"Oh, right over there." Tommy pointed at the door next to his bed.
Jude turned and walked to the bathroom while Tommy sat on his bed and turned on the plasma TV opposite of his bed.
His bathroom had a sink opposite of the door and large mirror over it. When you turn left, a large jet soaking tub lay in the corner with large windows next to it. Going further there was a shower and two doors. The first door led to a large walk in closet and the second to a toilet.
"Are you okay in there?" Tommy yelled from his room.
Jude snapped out of her daze and yelled back, "Yeah." Before closing the door.
Tommy tried his hardest to concentrate on the TV, but couldn't. Getting sick of watching TV but not understanding what was happening, he laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. After a few minutes Jude came out of the bathroom and he sat up quickly.
"Now we wait." Jude said to Tommy's scared expression.
He nodded and looked away. She walked over to him and sat down beside him on the bed. Tommy was freaking out inside and Jude could read it in his eyes and all over his face. She put her hand on his, trying to comfort him. He grasped her hand tightly when it touched his. Silently they both stared at the TV before them, not seeing anything but thin air.
When the buzzer Jude had set went off, Tommy jumped. They looked over at the bathroom door in unison. Suddenly, Jude became nervous. This was the truth to her dream; was she dreaming or living another fate?
Looking at Tommy, Jude knew he wouldn't be able to get up and check. His hands were shaking and his eyes looked wild and frightened. With one last squeeze to Tommy's hand, she got up and walked to the bathroom.
When Jude came out her face was unreadable.
"W-What does it say?" Tommy was back to stuttering.
Jude quietly gave him the test and sat down beside him again. He looked at her until she sat, then he slowly looked at the test in his hand. His heart started beating faster when he saw the results.
"Oh my god…" He dropped the test and put his face in his hands. "Positive… what have I done?"
"Don't worry, it's going to be alright." Jude said rubbing his back.
"Okay? Jude, I'm dating your sister." He looked at her. "I'm your producer. You just turned eighteen. Your parents are going to kill me. Georgia is going to kill me, Darius and Kwest too for that matter."
"Bright side, EJ just might love you. After all, free publicity." Jude tried to joke, but Tommy wasn't in a joking mood.
"Jude, I'm serious. There's no way this is going to be okay."
"Yes it will Tommy." Jude tried to reason with him.
"How do you know Jude?" When she went to say something, he cut her off. "Your dream, right? Jude, that was a dream, this is real life! Things aren't all rainbows and pretty flowers in real life."
"Trust me, Tommy; my dream was anything but rainbows and pretty flowers." She was getting angry. Why won't anyone listen to me! "I know things will be okay, you just have to be willing to listen to me!"
"I can't do this… I don't have room in my life for this." He went back to rubbing his face.
"Well, it's not a 'this' Tommy! It's a baby, and if you don't have room for it then I guess you have to room for me." She got up and started walking to the door.
"Jude, wait" She stopped and faced him.
"Do you want this baby or not Tommy?" Jude asked.
"Jude… I…" He couldn't say it, but when he looked away; Jude knew his answer.
"Goodbye Tommy." Tears started poring from Jude's eyes. Her throat closed as she turned back around.
"Jude…"
She stopped one last time at the door and faced him. "At least this time you know about him. But I never thought you knowing would hurt worse than when you didn't. Don't worry; everything will be okay for you. I'm leaving anyways. Now you can tell Georgia and everyone why I left."
"Jude, please…" It was all he could choke out; tears were welling up in his eyes.
"Goodbye Quincy. Take care of my sister, because you obviously love her more than you ever will me. I was a fool to believe a dream when it came to how you felt."
With one last look at him, Jude turned and walked out of the room, down the stairs, through the door and out of his life.
The next day Jude was, once again, heartbroken on a plane. Only this time things were different. It hurt worse, there were times it was hard to breathe; but then she remembered the child she carried and knew she could make it. There was more than herself on the line. She intended to find some answers, and she was going to.
All the while, Tommy was put on the line. It was up to him to tell everyone what was going on. He walked into G-Major with a weight on his shoulders that would never be lifted.
"Tom, where's Jude?" Georgia was on him the second he walked through the doors. "You said you would get her in here."
"Well I guess I lied then, Georgia." Tommy told her softly.
"What's going on? Where's Jude?" Georgia was getting worried. Tommy's face was blank and his voice emotionless.
"Grab EJ, Darius and Kwest and I'll tell you." He turned and walked into the conference room. Georgia was confused but did as he said.
Once everyone was situated at the conference table, Tommy took a deep breath. He wasn't ready for this, but like everything else, it wasn't going to wait for him.
"Jude is gone." Tommy stated out front.
"What!" Darius exploded.
"What are you saying Tommy? Why is Jude gone?" Georgia asked putting a restraining hand on Darius' shoulder.
"She, uh, she left because of me and some, um, complicated matters." Tommy stumbled his way through his explanation. He didn't want to give them the real reasons if he didn't have to. "I don't know if or when she'll be back. I don't even know where she went."
"Somebody better damn well find her! She's going on the tour if I have to chain her to the bus!" Darius announced angrily.
"Don't worry, we'll find her." Georgia turned to Tommy. "Tom, I want you to call her, see if she'll answer."
"It's no use Georgia, she won't talk to me." Tommy stated calmly.
"Why what did you do to her?" Darius asked glaring at him.
"Nothing!" Tommy yelled.
"Yeah, I bet!" Darius yelled back.
"Okay, guys calm down." Georgia said standing. "Darius, EJ come with me. We have a mess to fix. Don't worry Tom, we'll find her."
Georgia ushered EJ and Darius from the room leaving Tommy and Kwest alone. Kwest was silent during the whole episode, but now he stood and walked over to Tommy.
"What happened?"
Tommy looked up a Kwest and sighed.
"T, man, you've got to tell me. What's going on?" Kwest tried again.
Very quietly Tommy said, "Jude's pregnant."
"What!" Kwest looked at him in disbelief. "Man, you didn't…"
Tommy looked at Kwest.
"You did." Kwest closed his eyes for a moment. "What were you thinking? What about Sadie?"
"I don't know Kwest! Okay? I don't know what I was thinking, it just sorta happened."
"Just happened? Nothing just happens, Tom." Kwest said.
"Well this did!" Tommy rose to his feet and walked away in aggravation.
"When?"
Tommy didn't turn to face him. Instead he looked a picture of Jude from her first album that was on the wall. "Her birthday."
"Well that explains a lot!" Kwest said walking towards Tommy. "What did you do for her to leave? She wouldn't just get up and leave unless there was a reason behind it."
"I told her that I didn't want the baby." Kwest stared at Tommy's back in shock. But his shock was short lived and he shoved Tommy around to face him.
"Why would you say that?"
"I don't know! I was scared; I've lived twenty-four years without having to face this. I wasn't prepared for it."
"You will never be prepared for anything that has to do with Jude. " Kwest told him annoyed. "Let's just hope you didn't screw things up worse then they seem."
Kwest shook his head and walked to the door. Before he could get far Tommy stopped him. "How can things get any worse than they are?"
Kwest looked back at him. "She could never come back."
Giving Tommy one last look, Kwest left him speechless. Throwing a chair out of his way, Tommy slammed his hands down in the table. He bit his lip keeping himself from yelling. Slamming his fist down on the table on last time, Tommy straightened up and followed Kwest out of the room.
BACK TO JUDE
This time when Jude got off the plane, there was no Jamie and Kat welcome party. She quickly grabbed her bags and caught a cab. When she finally got through the New York traffic, she had the cab driver stop at the park. Giving the man his money, she grabbed her bags and walked into the park; a guitar strapped to her shoulder and a duffle bag in her hand.
She walked for fifteen minutes before she found the bench from her dream. It was exactly how she remembered. The only thing missing was George.
Not knowing what to do next, Jude sat on the bench and looked around. She sat there for a few minutes waiting for something to happen, but nothing did. She slipped off her guitar, setting it beside her; as she began her wait.
When the sunny sky started dimming and the sun slipped back into the horizon, Jude took it as her sign to leave. So, grabbing her guitar and bag, she headed out of the park and down the streets that were eerily familiar. Out of pure instinct she made her way to a large brick building.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the third button on the pad beside the door.
"Hello?"
"Hey Andrews, open the door."
"Jude?"
"Yep, surprise!"
"What? How did you know where we lived?"
"Listen, Jamie, as much as I want to catch up with you, it's freezing out here and I am tired."
"Oh, right. I'll be right down."
"No, Jamie, it's fine. Just buzz me in."
"But Jude…"
"Just do it Andrews."
"Okay, okay, bossy aren't we?"
"Yep."
Buzz.
Jude swung the door open and marched up the stairs before her until she got to the second floor and turned left. Walking past a couple doors, she knocked briskly on the third.
Kat flung the door open and screamed. "Jude!"
Before she knew what was happening, Jude was grabbed by the arm and dragged into the apartment and smothered in hugs.
When Kat finally pulled away, Jamie grabbed Jude and hugged her tightly.
"It's good to see you Harrison." Jamie said as he let her go.
"You too Jamie." Jude turned to Kat. "And you, I have missed you both so much!"
"Ditto. Now, why are you here and how did you know where to go?" Jamie asked getting down to business.
"What I can't come visit my two best friends?" Jude asked walking further into the apartment. It was just like in her dream.
"You can, but you're a rock star now, don't you have things you have to do?" Kat asked following her. They both sat on the couch. "Like a tour?"
"Oh yeah, uh… that's been kinda put off for now." Jude hedged.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Jamie sat across from them on a chair.
"Well, uh, yeah sorta." Jude looked away.
"Jude what are you not saying? By the way, how did you know where to find us?" Kat asked curiously.
"Oh well, I kind of had this dream a couple of weeks ago… bazaar really."
"Okay… and what does this dream have to do with anything?" Kat asked slowly.
"Well, it kind of has to do with everything…" When Jamie and Kat just stared at her. Jude told them all about her dream. She could still remember it vividly, every scene, every emotion, everything.
When she was done Kat was the first to speak. "Okay so… the dream meant what?"
"I don't know," Jude said running her hand through her hair. "But so far almost everything has matched up. Where you lived, what Tommy was thinking…"
"Whoa, wait a second. So you and Tommy…" Jamie asked with wide eyes.
Jude blushed as she looked away and nodded.
"Jude! Are you kidding me! Little Tommy Q! Boyz Attacks own!" Jamie looked disgusted.
Kat threw a magazine at Jamie and grabbed Jude's arm to get her attention back on her. "So wait, you and Tommy… isn't he dating Sadie?"
"Yep," Jude said as she leaned back against the couch setting her head on the back of the couch. "About two years now."
"Did you say that so far everything has come true in your dream?" Kat asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, everything that I haven't changed one way or another." Jude spoke to the ceiling.
"Does that mean you're…" Kat trailed off, but the look Jude gave her showed that she didn't need to finish. "Well… that's definitely something…"
"You're what?" Jamie asked confused. "What's going on? Did I miss something?"
Jude looked at Jamie and rolled her eyes. Kat smirked at him, and then looked back at Jude. "So what happened? I mean you did tell him didn't you?"
"Yeah…" Jude sighed. "I told him, but…"
"But…"
"But, he freaked. He said he didn't want us." Jude said tears coming into her eyes.
"'Us' who's 'us'?" Jamie piped in. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
Kat put her hand up to stop Jamie's questions and continued to study Jude. "He told you he didn't want the baby? Are you serious?"
"Baby? What baby? Can someone please tell me what it is I am missing?" Both Jude and Kat glanced at Jamie then looked away dismissing him.
"Yeah, Kat, I am completely serious. I wish I wasn't, but I am. He doesn't want me or the baby." Jude saw Kat get mad and tried to reassure her. "Don't worry Kat, I will be fine, trust me. I don't need him, we don't."
"Jude, how can you be calm about this?" Kat asked baffled.
"Because I have to be," Jude said sitting up. "You don't mind if I use your shower, do you?"
"No, go ahead. I'm guessing you know where it is…" Jude nodded as she smiled at her.
Jamie watched stupidly while Jude grabbed her bag and walked down the hall and into the bathroom. When the door closed he looked at Kat, eyes still wide. "What baby?"
Kat rolled her eyes, got up and grabbed Jude's guitar taking it into the spare room.
"Why won't anyone answer me? Am I invisible?" Jamie asked himself looking down at his hands then back at the empty hall way.
Once Jude got out of the shower, she followed her nose into the living room where Kat and Jamie had just opened the pizza box.
"You guys read my mind." Jude announced as she headed straight for the box, a gleam in her eye.
They dug into the pizza. Kat was the first to lay back and groan after three slices and two bread sticks. Jamie was next after four slices and 5 bread sticks. They sat and watched as Jude grabbed slice after slice, bread stick after bread stick.
"Should we time her?" Jamie asked Kat staring at Jude.
Kat laughed and pushed Jamie, Jude smiled at him with food in her mouth.
"Oh, that's gross Harrison."
Jude laughed as she sat back. Resting against the couch.
"Do you want the last piece?" Jamie asked Jude.
"No, you guys can have it." Jude rubbed her stomach. "I'm pretty full."
"Kat?"
"No" Kat groaned. "I don't want to look at another piece."
"Well, I don't want it either." Jamie announced as he went to shut the lid of the box.
"Wait!" Jude stopped him and grabbed the lonely piece of pizza; shoving it in her mouth. "No need to let perfectly good food go to waste."
Jamie raised his eyebrows in amusement and Kat laughed. Jamie shook his head and grabbed the box and empty bread stick bags, taking them into the kitchen. Jude licked her lips as Jamie walked back into the room. They sat in a comfortable silence watching TV, but every so often, Jamie would stare at Jude.
"Did I grow horns on my head or something?" Jude asked Jamie annoyed.
"Huh? Oh, uh, no, no… why do you ask?" Jamie fumbled with his words.
"Because you keep staring at me" Jude said simply. "You haven't suddenly got another crush on me did you?"
"He better not" Kat said glaring at Jamie.
"No! No, I'm over that, I-I was just… uh…" He looked around hoping something would come to mind. "Seeing if…um… uh…"
"So, Kat told you?" Jude asked with amusement in her voice. "And you were trying to find something different in my appearance? I'm not even a month along, changes wont happen for a little while."
"Uh… right…" He started blushing. Jude and Kat laughed at his embarrassment. Jude pushed herself to her feet.
"Alright guys, I'm heading to bed. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night Jude."
"Night."
Jude just waved at them as she stumbled into the room and shut the door. With a sigh, she fell onto the bed and was out a second later.
The next day, Jude left Kat and Jamie's apartment to go back to the park. As she entered the park, the once perfectly still trees started rustling. The wind whipped her hair as she walked the same paths and took the same turns from her dream.
As she got closer and closer to the bench her pulse quickened. Hurrying, she almost ran to the familiar twisted path. She made a sharp turn and stopped looking at the bench. It was empty. Her hopes died.
At a slower pace she walked to the bench. Pulled out the guitar she brought with her and started playing. She didn't know what she was playing; she just went along as it came. Chords came to her as she closed her eyes. Her heart led her through the melody as she started to hum. Before long her humming became words.
"Flat on my back… I feel lower than the floor…
It's time to stop crying… My eyes are so damn sore…
I don't think I died 'cause I still feel the tears…
From the corner of my eyes to the center of my ears…"
People started stopping, tossing coins and bills into her guitar case she accidentally left open. Jude never noticed the people as they watched her. She held her eyes closed tight as she sung the words that came to her.
"And I hear myself crying… It's become my favorite song…
I know every word and every verse for every time that we were wrong…
I hear myself crying like so many times before…
The song always starts when you close the door…"
Tears slipped past her eyes as she sung. She cried for what she lost and what she gained. For herself, for her child; who was unwanted by his father. For Sadie, who will be heart broken when she finds out about what happened between her and Tommy. When she finds out about the baby. She even cried for Tommy, he was as lost as she felt. But mainly, Jude cried for herself. For the place she put herself in and the pain she was going to bring herself.
"Bags under my eyes…I don't feel alive…
I don't think I died… My soul must have lied…
I still feel my tears…From the corners of my eyes…
To the center of my ears…Where I still hear your lies…"
She was tired, so tired. All she ever did was play a non stop game with Tommy. A dance that would never end; one step forward, two steps back. They never got anywhere. Circles, round and round they went. She had to stop the game, she had to. Jude's voice became raw as she let the music take over her emotions.
"And I hear myself crying… It's become my favorite song…
I know every word and every verse for every time that we were wrong…
I hear both of us crying and I hate this god damn song…
Why can't I stop what we know is wrong…?"
Jude closed her eyes tighter as she picked up the beat. The chords ringing out harshly. Using her tears to her advantage, she took a deep breath and sang deeper. Words rang from a place she was scared to go.
"Flat on my back…I feel lower than the floor…
It's time to stop crying… My eyes are so damn sore…
I don't think I died 'cause I still feel the tears…
From the corners of my eyes to the center of my ears…"
It was time for her to let that night go. If she didn't it would haunt her like it did in her dream. She couldn't live with that. Time to put that past back into the past, even if that did mean Tommy. You can't hold on to something you never had. Jude's voice reached its climax as she sung the last part.
"And I hear myself crying…It's become my favorite song…
I know every word and every verse for every time we were wrong…
I hear both of us crying… I hate this damn song…
Why can't we stop what we know is wrong…?"
Tears slipped down Jude's cheeks becoming a part of the guitar she played so passionately. The chords died as her voice faded. Only the silence of nature echoed in her stead. Still refusing to open her eyes, she kept them closed. Scared to face the world around her.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"I knew you would be back."
Jude snapped her head up and her eyes opened wide. Setting her guitar aside, she launched herself at the older man standing in front of her. She hugged him tight, scared that he would fade any second.
"George…" Jude whispered softly.
"Don't worry girl, I'm not disappearing."
Jude pulled away and looked at George warily. "What did you call me?"
He didn't even blink as he lied smoothly. "I called you little miss, why?"
Jude frowned at him and sat back down. "No you didn't. You called me 'girl', why?"
George sighed as he sat down next to her, but stayed silent. Jude was forced to break the silence.
"What is going on? How can you remember me? It was a dream." She asked confused and lost.
"Your right it was a dream. It was your own personal 'Christmas Carol' minus the Christmas and almost everything else." Jude gave him a look. "It was your own type of 'Christmas yet to come'."
"Minus the Christmas?" Jude teased.
"This is no time to be joking around, girl, this is serious." George stated.
"You just said it again, why do you keep calling me that. You never did in my dream." She said in a rush, and then asked curiously. "What's so serious?"
"Calm down, I will answer your questions. Just let me speak." When he saw Jude wasn't going to interrupt him he continued. "As I said before, your dream was a look into your future. You have a very rare chance to change your fate and Tommy's too. All you have to do is take it."
"But I have changed it." Jude told him. "I told Tommy about the baby. Doesn't that change everything?"
"I wish I could say it does, but it's not enough." George said grimly. "That boy is way too stubborn for his own good. You'll need a mule to knock some sense into him."
Jude nodded silently, thinking. "So, what is his fate now that I told him? I mean, it has to be different right? It can't be as bad as it was."
"That's what you think. But like I said, it's not enough; you don't want to see your fate at this moment. Trust me." He looked at her, sadness in his eyes.
"Why? What happens?" When all he did was shake his head, Jude grabbed his arm. "Please, what happens?"
"I'm sorry; I can only show you once." He looked at her. "There's nothing I can do from here but tell you that telling him isn't enough."
"What am I suppose to do?" Jude asked frustrated and worried.
"I don't know that's up to you, but you have to change things. Tommy's life is in your hands, and your life is just as fragile; don't forget that." Something about George seemed familiar, but she didn't know what. "I am trying to help you."
"Why? I don't get it, what's going on!" Jude didn't know what to think. The whole situation was surreal. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to make sure nothing happens to you and Tommy. You two need each other, without neither of you will be whole." George told her simply. "And that can have dire consequences."
"Do you mean Tommy's death?"
He nodded. "And his drinking. When Tommy drinks heavily he becomes a different person, a person that will hurt those who mean most to him. Try to keep him from drinking."
She nodded in response. "Why do you want us to be happy? To be together? I don't get it. Who are you?"
George sighed realizing he had to be leaving. He stood; Jude looked up at him and realized that there was absolutely nobody around. Not another soul stirred, everything was peaceful. Before turning to leave, he looked at her.
"I guess you could call me your guardian angel, I'll be watching you." George handed her something wrapped in a piece of white cloth. "Don't give up, hold strong and change fate it's in your hands now."
When he turned to leave, Jude flew after him. "George, wait!"
He stopped and turned around. "Yes?"
Jude hugged him tight whispering. "Thank you, I won't let you down."
"I know," He hugged her tightly. "I believe in you girl."
A second later he let her go and walked away; gone in less than a second. Leaving a wide eyed Jude behind. Why is he so familiar…?
She heard people around her and snapped back into reality. Looking at the cloth in her hands she frowned. Unraveling the cloth, she found a miniature portrait in half of a locket. Jude gasped as she stared at the smiling red head looking back at her.
She looks just like me… how can that be?
She then looked at the cloth in her hand. It was a handkerchief, white lace boarding the edges. Jude gently re-wrapped the half of a locket in the handkerchief and walked back to her guitar. She slipped the locket half into the small compartment in her case by the neck of the guitar and set her guitar in, locking it tight. She picked up her guitar and walked back to Kat and Jamie's pondering her overly bazaar day.
"You're going back? But you just got here!"
Jude turned and looked at Jamie. "I know but I just really need to get back. Too much was left unresolved. I can't just leave things like that."
"But…" Jamie whined.
Kat silenced him with a smack on the arm. "Jamie save it, she has to do this."
"Yeah but we never get to see her. Will you be coming back?" He looked so sad that Jude stopped putting her stuff into her bag and went and hugged him.
"Of course I'll come back. I just have to get everything worked out. Then I'll come back and take full advantage of your welcome to the point you'll want to kick me out."
"Never, Harrison." Jude smiled at him as she let go and zipped up her duffle bag.
"Okay, I'm ready."
Jamie, Kat and Jude hurried out of the apartment and into the waiting cab outside. They sat in silence all the way to the airport. Each in their own thoughts, Jude was trying to figure out what to say to Tommy when she got back.
How do you get through to someone with a skull as thick as a brick wall? Jude laughed to herself; I could always use a sludge hammer. Then again, I don't want him dead.
"What's so funny Harrison?" Jamie asked the smirking Jude.
"Huh? Oh, uh… nothing. Just thinking…" She gave him an innocent smile.
"Right…"
"We're here" The cab driver announced.
They got out of the cab; Jude grabbed her guitar and bag. The three of them stood facing each other.
"So this is it." Jamie said.
"Yep, but I'll be back. Plus you can always come visit me." Jude gave them a small smile.
"We'll miss you" Kat said hugging Jude tightly.
"I'll miss you guys too." She said softly.
When Kat let go, Jamie grabbed Jude and pulled her in for a big bear hug. "Have a safe flight."
"I'll try." Jude was let go of and made her way to the doors. Before she entered the airport Jude turned and waved to them. Jamie and Kat waved back, Jamie put his arm around Kat like he was saying goodbye to his child. Giving them one last smile, Jude turned and entered the airport. She ran for her gate, making it just in time.
Through the flight Jude worried over what she was going to say to Tommy. What do you say to someone who told you that he didn't want the child you carried? Jude thought: How do I get him to come around? Will he even talk to me… what about Sadie? I don't think I am ready for this. Well, ready or not, it's happening, there's no turning back. If he cares for me like I think he does, then he'll pull through. No matter how scared… right? Oh, I wish I knew…
Hours later when the plane landed, she was still worried about what to say to Tommy. She got off the plane as quickly as she could and grabbed her guitar and bag. Once she caught a cab she headed home. Pulling up to her house she paid the cab driver and went inside.
"Mom? Are you home?" Jude called out.
"Jude?" Victoria called from the kitchen. "Is that you honey?"
"Yeah mom, it's me." She called back.
Then Victoria came running to her and wrapped her in a hug. "I am so glad you're home!"
Jude laughed a little. "I was only gone like three days."
"But it felt like three years to me. I'm not used to an empty house." Victoria let her go and stepped back a little. "Are you hungry? How are Kat and Jamie? I tried calling your phone."
Jude took every question as it came to her. "No I'm not hungry. Kat and Jamie are great and my phone is here. I forgot to grab it."
"Oh, well, Georgia has been trying to find you. She said she needed to talk to you about your tour."
"I forgot about her, I'll talk to her later." Jude said as she turned to head upstairs.
"Jude, I really think you should go talk to her now." Victoria yelled after her.
Jude stopped and sighed. "You're right. I'll just drop my stuff off and head out to the studio."
"Okay honey, I'm going to the store to pick up some groceries." Her mom yelled as Jude disappeared up the stairs.
"Okay mom, see you when I get home." Jude yelled back as she entered her room. She put her guitar against one wall and tossed her bag against another.
Jude groaned as she fell onto her bed. "I am so tired."
Her hand hit something hard. Leaning up, she spotted her phone. She flipped it open to see missed calls from Georgia, Darius, EJ and Kwest. She scrolled down a little and found two calls from Tommy.
Hmm… I wonder what he wants…
Jude jumped out of bed and grabbed her car keys and purse. After she had everything she skipped down the stairs and out to her car. She hurried out of the drive way and to G-Major. Once she got there she spotted the famous blue Viper and parked next to it. On her way past it, she ran her fingers over the bright blue paint smiling to herself. She was still smiling when she entered the doors to the building. EJ spotted her the second she entered and was running to her.
"Jude! Where have you been?" EJ asked worried and annoyed.
"I, uh, needed some time to myself." Jude tried to explain.
"Well, Darius wants to kill you and Georgia is freaking out that something happened." EJ told her as she grabbed her arm and pulled her to Georgia's office.
"Well, I'm fine and I was just in New York… EJ where are you taking me?" Jude asked as she was yanked around like a doll.
"To see Georgia. She's been worried sick." EJ told her as she shoved her through the doors announcing. "I found her!"
Georgia swung around in her chair and faced the pair. "Jude! I am so glad you're back, I have been worried sick." She got up and hugged Jude fiercely. "Don't ever do that again! Do you hear me?"
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to worry you. I just had something I had to take care of." Jude closed her eyes and hugged Georgia back. "I thought Tommy told you what was going on?"
They pulled away from each other, both confused. "No, he said something about complicated matters and left it at that. He hasn't said anything else."
Of course not, now I have to tell them all. Can't he just do one thing right? Jude thought.
"Jude! Where the hell have you been!" Darius yelled as he walked in the office.
"Oh shove it Darius, leave her alone she just got here." Georgia told him annoyed.
"Exactly why she deserves a good tongue lashing, we have plans to go over a tour to schedule. We're behind now, thanks to her." Darius shot back.
"Give her a second to breathe, Darius." Georgia told him.
"She's had enough time to breathe." Darius said then turned his attention to EJ. "Go get Tommy and Kwest; we have a tour to book."
"Wait!" Jude said stopping everyone. "There's something I should tell you guys."
They stared at her for a few seconds before Darius said. "I'm sure it can wait, cause this cant. EJ go get them, now. And meet us in the conference room."
With that EJ and Darius walked out of the room, leaving a thoughtful Georgia and a incredulous Jude.
"Does he not hear a thing I say?" Jude asked looking at the open door Darius had just exited out of.
"Nope, not unless he wants to hear it." Georgia told her. She studied Jude for a minute before speaking again. "Jude, what's going on?"
Jude turned and faced Georgia and sighed. "I don't think you want to know."
Georgia leaned back against her desk. "Whether I want to know or not is not a choice. I have a feeling I have to know."
Jude nodded and sat down in a chair before Georgia. "I can't do this tour, Georgia. I don't even know when I will be able to."
Georgia watched Jude while asking. "And why is this?"
Jude had to look away.
"Jude? Come on it can't be that bad."
Very softly Jude said, "I'm pregnant."
Georgia went very still. Jude peaked up at her and quickly glanced away from Georgia's shocked expression. She was waiting for the yelling.
"Jude?" Tommy asked as he walked into the room.
Both Jude and Georgia looked at Tommy. He stood there uncomfortably as Georgia looked between him and Jude. He felt the tension in the room. As much as he wanted to turn and run, his feet stayed planted to the floor.
"I think you both have some explaining to do." Georgia said softly.
Tommy tried to speak but his mouth would only move he couldn't form the words he wanted to say. Jude couldn't bring herself to look at Georgia so she fixed her gaze on a spot on the floor.
"What is everyone doing in here?" Darius thundered as he entered the room. "I said conference room." It took him only a second to notice something happened. "What's going on?"
Kwest and EJ entered behind Darius. Everyone stood in an awkward silence. Tommy and Jude not looking at anyone, Georgia staring at them, Darius looking between the three of them and EJ and Kwest standing to the side waiting.
"Somebody better tell me what's going on." Darius said then looked at Georgia when no answers were forthcoming. "G, what's going on?"
Georgia still didn't look at Darius. "It seems our Jude here is pregnant."
EJ gapped and Kwest closed his eyes as he shook his head. It only took Darius a second to catch onto Georgia's conclusions.
"You son-of-a-bitch!" Darius grabbed Tommy by the shirt and swung him against the wall. He held him there as he punched him straight in the face.
"Darius! No!" Jude launched herself to her feet trying to pull Darius from Tommy. But it was no use, she wasn't strong enough. Suddenly she was pushed away as Kwest grabbed Darius and tugged him away from Tommy. Darius struggled in Kwest's grip, but Kwest managed to hold him tight.
"What, you got sick of ruining your life, now you have to ruin hers!" Darius yelled. "Can't you ever think with the right head? Why must you always ruin everyone else! First my sister, now Jude!"
"Kwest, get him out of here." Georgia yelled.
Kwest did as she asked and pulled Darius out the door. Jude ran to Tommy and touched his cut lip softly.
"Ouch," Tommy hissed.
"Sorry" Jude grabbed his hand, "Come on you need something for that lip and cheek."
Jude pulled him into Studio A. She left and grabbed some ice and a wash cloth. When she entered the room again, she put the ice in his hand and directed it to his cheek. Once he had a firm grip on the ice she gently whipped the blood from his lip and face. Tommy hissed as he watched Jude.
"Why didn't you fight back?" Jude asked irritated.
"I didn't deserve to. I deserve the shit kicked out of me." He said it so softly; Jude didn't doubt he believed it. He wouldn't look at her when she looked up at him.
"You didn't deserve it, Tommy." Jude said softly, willing him to look at her.
"Yes I did. I ruined your life." He still couldn't bring himself to look at her.
"No, you didn't." Jude grabbed his chin forcing him to look at her. "You gave me the greatest gift when you gave me this baby." When Tommy looked like he was going to argue with her, Jude silenced him by taking his hand and putting it on her stomach. "This is our child, Tommy. Ours; a part of me and a part of you. We, you and I, we created this life. How can you regret that? There's no turning back, Tommy. This baby is here, whether you're ready or not, he is yours. I wouldn't give him up for anything; I want this child more than I have ever wanted anything else. I don't regret that night, and I never will."
Tommy stared at Jude. He could read the love and contentment in her eyes. He looked down at where his hand sat on her still flat belly.
His child. His and Jude's child. Their baby.
Tommy slowly smiled as he looked up into Jude's eyes. "Ours."
Jude copied his smile and jumped into his lap. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she hugged him tight. Tommy dropped the ice in his hand and held Jude to him tightly. He closed his eyes as he buried his face into her hair. Jude kissed him on the cheek and pulled back a little. Foreheads touching, they stared into each other's eyes.
"I'm sorry; for everything." Tommy whispered. "I was just so scared. I mean… it's not every day a guy is told that he's going to be a father. Especially me. It's such a big commitment; I never thought I would have children."
Jude smiled sweetly. "Well, you better get used to it cause in eight months you will officially be the father to a little blue eyed devil, but the sweetest boy ever."
"How do you know it will be a boy…?" He asked confused. "Wait, your dream right?"
Jude nodded smiling. "I named him Lucien. Luc for short."
"Interesting choice of a name." Tommy commented. "But how about little Tommy?"
Jude laughed. "I am not allowing my son to have your name; I want to be able to yell at you with out him thinking I am yelling at him."
Tommy chuckled to himself. "Well, I guess we have a little while to decide. I mean he may turn out to be a she."
"Nope, I am having a little boy." Jude said stubbornly.
Tommy just smiled at her.
"Hey lovebirds, G wants to see you." Kwest spoke from the door.
Their smiles left their faces as the pulled a part and stood up. Tommy took her hand as they left the Studio to feed themselves to the angry wolves.
They entered the conference room, looking around wearily. Darius stood on the far side of the room, Georgia was standing by him with EJ beside her. They turned to face Jude and Tommy when they entered.
Jude stopped right inside the door, scared to go any further. Tommy had the same butterflies in his stomach, but he squeezed Jude's hand giving the courage she needed.
"Tom, Jude we need to talk about this." Georgia stated. "Now we need to know where you two stand. Are you together or not?"
Jude looked at Tommy. "Together…" Tommy read her need for reassurance and smiled at her.
"Okay, now we need to sort this mess out." Darius stayed silent as he glared at Tommy.
"So first, the tour" Georgia looked at Darius and at EJ who nodded. "We're going to put that on hold for awhile. The last thing we need is for something to happen to Jude."
EJ nodded again scribbling down a few things. She looked up asking, "What about the media? They're going to find out sooner or later, we need to take control now while we still can."
Georgia nodded in agreement. "I'm leaving that up to you."
"So, is that it?" Tommy asked when they fell silent.
"For now, it is."
"So… we're free to go?" Jude hesitated.
"You're free to go to Studio A and get working." Jude and Tommy quickly turned and went to the Studio.
When they were safe behind the doors, they sighed. So far, still alive. Jude looked at Tommy grinning.
"What?" He asked, copying her grin.
"This whole thing seems so surreal, ya know? I mean in my dream nothing was this easy and now… it almost seems too easy." Her grin slipped a little. "Way too easy."
Tommy grabbed her waist and pulled her against him. Wrapping his arms around her he set his cheek on her head as she buried it into his chest.
"It's going to be fine. Besides, this is only the beginning." He whispered into her hair. "It's easy now, but it won't be later. Don't worry so much, it's not good for the baby."
Jude rubbed her face into his chest before pulling back a little with a radiant smile. "You're right. Besides, I haven't told my mom and dad yet."
"What?" Tommy looked a little freaked. "Why not? You don't want me there do you?"
"Well, that would be nice. I mean instead of killing me, they'll go straight for you." She smiled innocently.
"Jude, I don't think me being there is such a good idea. They already hate me and don't trust me with you. Now they'll despise me. You're their little girl, I'm your much older producer…" Jude pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him.
"You worry too much Quincy." Jude removed her fingers and pressed her lips there in place.
"That's enough of that you two. See that's why you two are in the predicament you're in. Too much of… that." Kwest made random hand motions, Jude and Tommy watched him in amusement. "Uh… let's get to work."
"Sure." Jude gave Tommy one last quick kiss and turned and walked to her swirly chair. Tommy followed her lead, Kwest after him. Soon they were engrossed in their work and didn't notice as the minutes swiftly shifted to hours.
"Whoa…" Kwest leaned back in his chair and checked his watch. "Already midnight, well guys, I'm off."
Getting up he stretched, clasped hands with Tommy and was out the door with a final, "See you guys tomorrow."
Jude and Tommy watched him leave then turned to each other.
"So you ready to go home?" Tommy asked.
Jude nodded. Tommy rose to his feet and held his hands out to Jude. Smiling she put her hands in his outstretched palms. He pulled her up and out of the chair in one swift motion, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. When he pulled away he faced a glowing Jude.
"We should go." She nodded in response.
Clutching her hand tight, Tommy pulled her out of the studio and through the lobby. Jude was hitting switches right and left as they charged through, turning off lights and random objects. They flew by the security guard and gave a nod as they passed through the doors. Making their way to the Viper, Jude pulled Tommy back; stopping him.
"Slow down! Where's the fire?"
"Sorry, I just couldn't wait to get home." Tommy did an antsy dance.
Jude laughed. "And whys that? Got a hot date I should know about?"
He pulled her to him by the hand, wrapping his arm around her waste. "Yep, she's really hot…"
"Oh?" Jude looked at him wide eyed. "Is she now?"
He nodded his head. "Uh-huh… extremely hot…" He whispered softly as he bent down and kissed her gently.
"Then you better hurry or she might not wait around for you." Jude whispered back.
"Oh, I think she might…" Tommy pulled away.
"Just a little cocky aren't we?" Jude smirked at him.
"Just a little."
Jude nodded, mocking him. "Yeah… just a little…"
"You had better watch it girl…" He threatened.
"What are you ganna do? Sing your nineties boy band music and kill me laughing to death?" She gave him an innocent smile as she slipped her hand into his pocket.
"Oh, you did not just say… that..." Jude slipped out of his arms and ran for the Viper. "Yeah you better run!" Tommy lunged after her.
Running towards the car, Jude glanced over her shoulder. She let out a shriek when two powerful arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
"Tommy! Let me go!" She cried out laughing.
"Never!" He growled into her neck. "You're going to pay."
She giggled as he play bit her in the neck, making growling noises. "Is this how you treat the mother of your child?"
"Oh, Jude I am so sorry!" Tommy quickly set her back on her feet like she was glass, about to be broken any second. "I didn't think, are you okay? I didn't hurt either of you two did I?"
Jude stood in a fascinated shock as Tommy ran his hands up and down her arms and over her stomach. He looked worried and anxious.
She laughed a little. "Tommy, I'm fine," He gave her a doubtful look. "Seriously, you didn't hurt me or the baby…calm down… I'm not glass. I wont break any second."
"Sorry…" He looked away sheepishly but relieved. "I just… uh…"
"It's okay, I understand." Jude grabbed his hand, leading him to the car. He gave her a small smile as she turned and walked around the car while he dug in his pocket.
"Jude, where are my keys?" Tommy looked across the roof of the car at a smiling Jude.
"Oh, I forgot…" She tossed the keys over the car, Tommy catching them in one swift motion.
He glared at her as she smiled sweetly, and pressed the unlock button. They both slipped into the car. When Tommy went to put the keys in the ignition, Jude stopped him.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Tommy gave her a blank look, she smirked. "Seat belt."
Rolling his eyes he pulled his seat belt on and slipping the key into the ignition. Jude stopped him from going any further.
"Parking brake." He sent her an 'are-you-kidding-me' look. She smiled sweetly. He let the breaking brake out and asked, "Ready?"
She sighed dramatically. "Yep."
Tommy laughed and switched gears pressed the clutch in and slammed on the gas. They flew through the parking lot and down the road, taking a few sharp corners at fifty. One more and they were speeding down the freeway. They sat in a comfortable silence, Tommy holding on to Jude's hand, laying them both in his lap. A few minutes passed before Jude heard a humming. She listened closely to the familiar tune, until she recognized it. When she did, she started laughing. Tommy glanced at her smiling and continued to hum.
"I should hate you Quincy, for singing that song." Jude said amused.
"But, I'm too cute, right?" He glanced at her again with a twinkle in his eye.
Jude nodded as she leaned towards him. "Extremely cute…" She kissed him on his cheek and then sat back as she was. Tommy continued to hum 'Hey Jude'.
They passed the next few exits silently except Tommy humming 'Hey Jude' non stop.
"Tommy, there's my exit, aren't you going to get over?" Jude asked.
"Nope." Jude looked at him questioningly. "Hot date remember?"
"Oh… I forgot… but wont she be up set when I walk in the door?" Jude asked amused.
"No, not really, two is good… but three is better. If you catch my meaning…" He winked at Jude.
Laughing, she smacked him in the arm. "That's horrible Quincy, you have no manners what so ever. You better not teach my son that disgusting stuff."
"Don't worry, my daughter isn't having a date until she's thirty. Even then, we'll discus it."
Jude looked at him curiously. "Do you really want a girl?"
He squeezed her hand. "I don't care, as long as it and you are healthy."
Jude smiled at that and sat back content. For the rest of the drive they rode in a content silence. Before they knew it they pulled up to Tommy's house. They got out and walked up to the door hand in hand. Once inside Jude yawned and made straight for the stairs, Tommy right behind her. She opened the doors and walked straight to the bed and fell on it, sighing.
"This feels nice…" She had her eyes closed so she didn't see Tommy make his way towards her.
She felt a dip in the mattress but didn't think anything of it until she felt a hand skimming over her rib cage. Lips gently caught her in a passionate kiss, causing her to moan as she wrapped her arms around the body hovering over hers. His hand slipped under her shirt, moving it up out of his way. Still intently involved in the kiss, Jude wrapped her legs around his waist, this time he groaned. He broke the kiss for a second to swiftly remove her shirt. While she tugged at his shirt, he yanked on the offending bra.
"Stupid thing…" He said huskily as he broke the kiss to see what he was doing.
Jude laughed throatily and jerked his shirt off his body. After a few moments of frustrated groans, Jude took pity on him and reached around to remove the offending garment. He gave a grateful moan as he took her mouth again. After a few minutes it wasn't enough and he heaved himself off her and started pulling at her clothes and his. Soon she was helping him and they were both nude. Together they slipped back to the bed, knocking everything off it as they lost themselves in their moment of passion.
Many hours later, Tommy was still wide away as he watched the darks sky outside lighten. Jude began to stir so he held her tighter against his chest. She sighed happily before opening her eyes and meeting his sparkling eyes.
"Morning," he whispered, scared to break the perfection of the moment.
"Morning…" She sighed again and closed her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" He asked with a twinge of worry. "I didn't wear you out did I?"
"Oh… that you did indeed…" Jude laughed a little then opened her eyes and looked him. She saw his genuine worry. "I'm great, feeling better than I have ever felt before."
He smiled at the reassurance and kissed the top of her head. They lapsed into silence. Jude with her head lying on his chest. One of her hands was captured by his as he held it tight over his heart. They were both lost in the same thoughts. Jude decided to speak first, knowing he was thinking about the same thing.
"We have to tell my parents today…"
Tommy sighed. "I know."
"What about Sadie?" Jude asked hesitantly.
He was silent. Jude rose to her knees, pulling a sheet with her and looking down at him.
"Tommy?"
He didn't look at her right away. "Yeah?"
"Who do you love? Me or Sadie?" She was dead serious. "Do you want to be with her but are now stuck with me?"
He looked at her sharply. "What! No!" He frowned at her, then sensing her mood leaned up so he was eye level with her. "I want you, Jude Harrison. Not your sister. I have wanted you for a long, long time. With or with out this baby, I want you. Please, you have to believe me… do you believe me?"
Jude nodded to herself and whispered, "I believe you."
Tommy gave her a huge grin and pulled her to him, kissing all her worries away. No sooner did he kiss her than he had her on her back and he was hovering over her. Hours later they were finally well spent and slipped out of bed. Jude had just found her clothing and had it back on her body when her cell phone started ringing.
She dug around the floor until she tracked it down under the bed.
"Hello?"
"Jude! Where are you? Are you okay!"
"Mom? Mom! Oh I am so sorry I never called last night."
"Where are you?"
"I… uh… I am at… uh…"
"You had better not lie to me! I have been worrying myself crazy because of you!"
"Mom, I have to go. I am really sorry. Can you get dad and meet me at the café for lunch?"
"Yeah sure… but…"
"Okay thanks mom! See you then!"
Jude hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief.
"So lunch?"
Jude looked up at Tommy as he came out of the bathroom ready to go. "Lunch."
He nodded and grabbed her hand, pulling her out the room. "We're late."
They arrived at G-Major in a record time of ten minutes and no tickets. Coming to a squealing stop they got out and ran into the building. Georgia glared at them and pointed to Studio A. They nodded and walked towards the door that would hold their fate for the next few hours.
Which it did. They spent the rest of the day mixing, writing and arguing. Kwest tossed in little jabs about Jude's crinkled clothes, causing himself to be bombarded with paper wads, three pencils and one pen. When lunch finally came, Jude and Tommy looked at each other apprehensively. Together they made their way out of G-Major and to the little café.
When they got there Victoria and Stuart were already seated at a small table out front. Slowly they made their way towards the table. If you happened to catch a glimpse of them, you would think they were on their way to the electric chair.
"Jude! Tommy?" Victoria said as she got up and hugged her daughter.
Jude pasted a fake smile one her face and hugged her dad too. "Mom, dad…"
"Tom, what a surprise." Stuart shook his hand.
Once they were all seated, Tommy grabbed Jude's hand under the table, sharing each others strength.
"So, how's the tour coming along? When are you headed out? How long is it? Six weeks? Three months?" Stuart asked excitedly.
"Oh about that…" Jude glanced away from her parents keen gazes. "I brought you two here to, uh, tell you some… good news..."
"Oh? Like a year long tour? That's great! Just imagine…" Stuart was stopped by Jude's shaking head.
"No not that…" She glanced at Tommy. "It's better…"
"Like what? Are you pregnant or something?" Victoria joked, looking at Stuart and they both laughed a little. Thinking their little girl was to smart for that.
Jude and Tommy looked at them silently. The smiles and laughter disappeared from their faces.
"Jude… you're not…" Victoria asked hopeful she was jumping to conclusions. "Please tell me you're not that stupid…"
Jude remained silent. Tommy squeezed her hand when she gripped his tightly.
"Oh god… you are…" Victoria closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "How did this happen, Jude?"
"What!" Stuart yelled coming out of his initial shock. "Where's the bastard that did this to you!" When there was no reply he looked at Tommy. "Tom, do you know who did this to my little girl? Do you!"
Neither Jude nor Tommy said a thing or made a move. Victoria caught the guilt that passed over Tommy's face when Stuart yelled at him.
"Oh no… please say it isn't true…" Victoria groaned looking at Jude. "It's him isn't it? It's Tom… he's the father."
Jude was speechless. She jumped when her dad bellowed even louder this time.
"What!" Stuart rose to his feet and leaned toward Tommy. "You son-of-a-bitch! You date one of my daughters and then cheat on her with the other! I'll teach you to mess with my family!"
When Stuart lunged towards Tommy, Jude pulled Tommy away from his line of attack. Victoria pulled Stuart back.
"Stuart, calm down!" Victoria yelled.
"Calm down? This… pervert took advantage of my daughter, I will not calm down!"
"Dad, please?" Jude begged.
"Mr. Harrison, I understand what your feeling. You have every right to hate me…" Tommy tried to reason with him.
"Damn right I do!" When he caught sight of Jude holding Tommy's hand he blew up again. "Don't touch my daughter you bastard, don't ever touch her again! Do you hear me! Stay the hell away from my family!" Stuart pushed Tommy away from Jude and screamed, "Leave! Get the hell away from her!"
Tommy was a little freaked out. He glanced at an astonished Jude; she had never seen her dad behave this way. When Stuart made to come after him, Tommy held his hands up and turned and walked away. Jude snapped out of her daze and saw Tommy walk off angry. When she went to chase after him, Stuart grabbed her arm.
"You don't need him, Jude. He's not worth it."
Jude stared at her father a second before yanking her arm from his grasp and snarling at him. "Let me go! He loves me dad, and I love him! You mine as well except it."
"Jude I am just looking out for you. He's going to hurt you." Stuart said softly, but Jude still saw red.
"He can't hurt me any worse than you did." Jude sneered before she turned on her heal and ran after Tommy. Leaving a hurt Stuart and thoughtful Victoria.
"Tommy! Tommy, stop!" Jude called as she ran after him down the street. He didn't stop he just kept walking. When Jude finally made it to him she grabbed his arm bringing him to a halt.
"Tommy, would you face me?" Jude tugged on his arm again.
Tommy turned and faced her but didn't meet her eyes. She studied him for a moment.
"Can you speak to me now please?" She was worried; she didn't know how he was taking everything. As much as she tried to forget it, her dream was there in the back of her mind.
He finally looked at her. "What do you want me to say? That everything is fine? 'Cause its not." Jude opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her. "Your parents hate me. Which they have reasonable cause to do, I mean I took advantage of you. Now you have to put your life on hold because of this baby, which I forced on you. If it wasn't for me, you would be doing your world tour, but no, I took that away from you."
She could only stare at him while he ranted, hating himself more with every word he said. She knew she needed to say something but for some reason, the words weren't coming to her.
"What else am I going to take away from you? Huh?" He continued as he made wild gestures with his hands. "I can't do this. I can't take your life away from you. I wish I could go back and just redo that whole night."
Before he could go any further, she put her hand over his mouth; stopping his words but forcing him to listen to her.
"I know you're upset, but Tommy, do you seriously think I would take back that night if I could?" He just stared at her, lost for words. "I wouldn't, I wouldn't give it up for all the money, all the fame, nothing. I told you once and I will tell you one more time Quincy. I want this baby, and it's the best gift anyone could have given me. Do you believe me?"
Tommy saw the fire leap into her eyes so he just nodded.
"Good, cause what's happening is happening. There's no way you can stop it. I know my parents are upset right now, but they will come around. They have to because they know it's not going to change. Now I need you to know that. I need your support more than I need theirs right now. I need to know that you won't turn and run at the first possible second. I don't want to do this alone." Jude slid her hand away from his mouth. "Will you be here Quincy or am I doing this alone?"
Tommy looked into Jude's eyes. His gut wrenched, he knew what he had to do but he was just scared. He closed his eyes preparing himself before he gave her an answer. Jude's heart dropped when his eyes slid closed. She tried to prepare herself for what he was going to say next but she just couldn't.
"No," He whispered opening his eyes and looking into hers. Tears immediately sprang into her eyes. Bringing his hands up to her cheeks he continued as he stared into her eyes. "No, you won't do any of it alone. I'm here girl, every second. I'm not leaving, I may get a little scared but I'll still find my way back to you, no matter how scared I get."
Jude gave him a joyful smile. He copied her grin and said seriously, "And I will get scared. There's no help for that."
"As long as you don't do something stupid, I am perfectly fine with you being scared." She whispered to him before she rose to her toes and kissed him softly.
"Come on, let's get back to the studio." Tommy said taking her hand and pulling her to the car. He gave her hand a kiss before releasing it. They shared the same grin as they slid into the car.
The second Jude was buckled in they shot out of the parking spot and down the road. Jude held the door handle to keep from falling into Tommy's lap. She learned long ago how to move with the car's sudden jolts. Once they were on the freeway she could safely release her hold on the handle.
Jude looked over at Tommy as he scanned the road ahead. She studied his intent expression and smiled a little. Her hand fell from the door as she laid it on her stomach. Tommy glanced up at her in time to see her look out the window. He looked at her for a moment taking in her radiant face and the hand laying softly over the place their child rested. Looking back at the road he grabbed her free hand where it lay beside her on her seat. Jude looked over and smiled softly at him when he brought their interlocked fingers to his lips. They looked at each other for a moment then looked back out the windows, fingers interlocked in Tommy's lap. No words were needed between them at that moment.
For the rest of the ride they drove in silence. Tommy pulled into his spot and slipped the keys from the ignition in one swift motion. Once the car was stopped, neither spoke as they stared out the front window.
Tommy started playing with Jude's fingers that still lay in his hand, fidgeting nervously.
" So, I was thinking…" He began, his attention planted firmly on her fingers. Jude watched him silently. "Your mom is probably really upset about this whole... situation. And I was wondering if maybe you wanted to move in…" He looked at Jude. " With me..."
Jude continued to stare at him like he lost his mind. He looked down again.
"Or not… it's not a big deal or any thing… I just thought with the baby and all…"
"Yes!" Jude squealed slipping her hand out of Tommy's and grabbed his face to give him a hard kiss.
She pulled away and grinned at him. It took him a moment to understand what happened, when he did, his face lit up as he copied her grin. They stared at each other a moment before Tommy broke the silence, "We should probably get back in there."
Jude nodded and slid her hands away from his. Both slowly got out of the car and made their way to the entrance. Their fingers entwined they walked through the lobby and to Studio A. The lobby was full of people, but they were in their own world. When the Studio door was closed they got to work, getting lost in the music.
It was ten o'clock when they finally packed up, said 'bye' to Kwest and left the Studio. Tommy was about to pass Jude's exit again when she commented.
"I really need to go home tonight, Tommy." Jude said.
He looked at her for a second before focusing back on the road. He switched his blinker on and turned off the freeway. The rest of the ride was silent until they pulled into the driveway.
"Sure you don't want to stay at my place tonight?" Tommy asked looking at the house.
"Yeah… I need to face her." Jude was staring at the house then turned to face him. He turned his attention from the house to her. "I'll see you tomorrow? We can move my things then… sound good?"
His face was expressionless as he looked at her. Jude became apprehensive as she watched his face become that hated mask.
"Quincy…?" She asked timidly.
"Huh…?" He snapped back to reality and looked away for a second. "Oh sorry… lost in thought… tomorrow. See you tomorrow."
The little grin he gave her was to put her worries to rest, but it did anything but.
"Okay…" Jude grabbed the door handle and whispered, "Night Quincy…"
He felt her tension and grabbed her face before she could leave. He kissed her hard and quick, giving a devilish grin as he pulled away. Jude looked away, and then forced herself to look at him. She gave him a small smile before getting out of the car. She heard a "Goodnight girl" but closed the door before he could say anything else.
Jude watched him drive away, suddenly not sure. Something seemed off about his behavior. Shrugging she turned towards the house. With measuring steps she made her way to the door. Once inside she spotted her mom sitting on the couch, everything silent. Unsure what to do Jude stood in front of the door.
"Jude, can you please come in here?" Victoria's voice was neutral.
Jude took a deep breath and walked into the living room. She stopped next to the couch looking at her mother wearily. Victoria motioned for her to take a seat on the chair adjacent to her. Jude sat and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. The silence that surrounded them was almost deafening.
"I don't know where to begin…" Victoria started as she looked at the wall intensely.
Jude was quiet for a moment then said softly, "Do you hate me?"
Victoria snapped her head around to look at Jude. Her head was bowed as she tried to fight the tears that pushed to escape. She could take anything the world gave her, anything at all. Only, no matter how strong she was, she couldn't live knowing her mother hated her.
Fighting her own tears, Victoria quickly went to Jude and wrapped her arms around her. She hated her daughter thinking that she could possibly hate her.
"Jude… shh…" Victoria whispered into Jude's hair as she held her head tight against her shoulder. She rocked Jude back and forth as sobs escaped her. "I don't hate you I could never hate you…"
Tears fell from Victoria's eyes as she listened to Jude cry. "Shh… I love you Jude. I will love you no matter what."
For half an hour they stayed in that position. Jude held tight against Victoria. Even after their tears had dried, they still held each other as if it was what their lives depended on. Jude was the first to pull back. She ran her hand across her eyes and cheeks clearing any trace of tears. Victoria sat back and did the same.
"So, what happens now?" Victoria asked Jude.
"I don't really know." Jude answered truthfully. "I guess I move in with Tommy and we raise the baby."
"What about marriage?" Victoria asked softly. Jude looked at her sharply.
"We haven't talked about that…" Jude told her looking away.
"Oh…" Victoria didn't know what else to say. "So, you're going to come by and talk right? I mean I would like to see you and… the, uh, baby."
"Yeah of course," Jude said still looking away.
"Good."
They lapsed into silence. Victoria wondered silently what you say to your eighteen year old rock star daughter who happened to be pregnant with her much older producer's child. There definitely weren't manuals on this sort of thing. Jude didn't know what to tell her mother. She couldn't talk of the worries she felt because then she wouldn't seem ready or old enough. She wanted her mother to be proud of her.
"Well, I think I'm going to go to bed. Big day tomorrow." Jude said as she rose to her feet.
Victoria nodded as Jude walked by her and to the stairs. She then got up and faced her, stopping her.
"Jude," She waited until Jude faced her. "If anything happens, anything at all; if you don't feel comfortable or just miss it here… you can always come home. Your room will always be waiting."
Jude gave Victoria a relieved smile and said "Thank you." Before she turned and walked up the stairs and to her room. Suddenly her heart seemed lighter knowing that she still had her mother. Even if her dad hated her, she had somebody with her.