Hi--here's the latest installment, it's the outcome of the studio's decision. I hope you all like it! I tried to create a good decision for all of you. Thanks again for all of the reviews--I love you guys! ENJOY!
"Now that we know where you two stand and why you feel you should continue working together, let me tell you what the three of us think," Darius replied, still standing at the front of the room and looking closely at Tommy and Jude's angst-ridden faces.
"On one hand," he continued, "perhaps you should keep working together. We know that the music you create comes from the combination of both of you. You play off each other's strengths and balance each other."
He started walking slowly around the perimeter of the room as he continued.
"However, on the other hand, this is our policy and no matter how great the music is, the rules exist for a reason. And while I do trust you both, leaving you together in that studio alone at night may cause reservations from people besides the three of us."
Darius stopped and looked at Jude, adding, "Like your parents for instance. I doubt that they would be happy knowing that we would even consider allowing the two of you to work together alone at night."
Jude nodded nervously, knowing he was right about her parents, as Darius cleared his throat and headed back towards the front of the room.
"Now, the three of us have gone back and forth on this issue all week and ultimately, we felt that a vote was the best way to settle this. So that's what we did."
"And?" Tommy asked, growing impatient.
"And we were split. Georgia voted to allow you to continue working together while Liam felt that we need to be firm on the policies in place. So it was left to me to be the deciding vote."
Silence settled over the room as Tommy held Jude's hand a little tighter. Both of their hearts were beating a mile a minute as they waited in anticipation for Darius to finish.
He leaned his hands down onto the table and stared at them both intently.
"I felt split on this issue. I understand the views of both of my colleagues, but my goal is to see this studio thrive. So the decision that has been made is what is best for this studio, not necessarily what is best for anyone in this room.
"Before I tell you what that decision is, I want to make it clear that no matter what your reaction is, you both are still employed here so it will be your responsibility to continue working to the best of your abilities. Understood?" Darius asked sternly.
They both nodded and Jude let out a small breath, hearing that they were both still employed.
"So here it is. Beginning tomorrow, we are setting up something new for the two of you. A new…arrangement," Darius said, pausing and looking at Jude and Tommy's distressed faces. A 'new arrangement' definitely referred to a change, which they both considered to be bad thing. "And what is this new arrangement? It's quite simple actually. Beginning tomorrow…" Darius continued slowly.
Jude bit her lip as Tommy began tapping his foot against the floor rapidly.
"…we are making an exception to the rules around here," Darius said with a grin. "The two of you will continue working together."
Jude's eyes widened and Tommy's jaw dropped.
"What?" Jude asked quietly in disbelief.
"You two will continue working together," Darius repeated as he and Georgia smiled widely.
"Seriously?" Tommy questioned.
"Yes, seriously. Under two conditions, of course."
Tommy and Jude both took a deep breath, afraid of the conditions.
Darius started again, "One is that you are professional whenever you are in the studio. The time you spend in there is for one thing—to make music, and if there is ever any reason to doubt what is going on with the two of you, the arrangement is done. Got it?"
"Got it," they both agreed, nodding.
"And the second—you need to tell Jude's parents. Georgia tells me you still haven't, and I refuse to be part of any kind of lie with the two of you. So you need to be honest with them about this situation."
"We were planning on telling them anyway," Jude said quickly.
"Soon?" Darius questioned.
"Yes, definitely," Jude agreed.
"We can tell them tonight," Tommy said. Jude looked at him skeptically to which Tommy shrugged and said quietly, "We have to tell them eventually. Let's just get it over with."
She closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath and then looked back at him. "Okay. We'll tell them tonight."
Darius smiled and replied, "Well then, you've both got yourself a deal. As long as you keep making great music, we want you to know that we do trust you and we believe that you've deserved our respect for your work."
"Thank you!" Jude said excitedly, standing up quickly and walking over to hug Darius. He hugged her as Tommy stood up too. Jude pulled away with a wide smile and then walked over to Georgia, giving her a huge hug too. Tommy shook Darius' hand vigorously, smiling the whole time.
"Thanks, D," he said appreciatively. "We won't let you down."
"You better not," Darius warned. "And don't go hurting our girl either."
"I won't," Tommy promised. He then walked over to Georgia and gave her a hug. Liam silently got up and left the room, not wanting to join in the festivities.
After the hugging and thank you's had finished, Georgia and Darius went back to the party and left Jude and Tommy to have a moment alone. They were both smiling ecstatically, unable to contain their excitement. Jude went to hug Tommy with a squeal and he lifted her up, holding her tightly. He set her back down and brought his lips to hers, kissing her eagerly. She held him close and readily pressed her lips to his, feeling a rush of energy from the decision.
They pulled away breathlessly and gazed at each other.
"I can't believe they agreed to it," Jude said quietly, smiling.
"I know. I'm shocked," he admitted. "Can you imagine the arguments that they all got into this week?"
"No, it must've been a bloodbath!" Jude exclaimed. "All over us…"
"I know…look at the stir we caused," Tommy said, still blown away.
She leaned into him and pulled him in closely, burying her head into his chest. "And it's over. Finally."
"Or at least one huge part of it," he clarified, thinking about how they needed to talk to her parents. "How do you think your parents will react?"
Jude thought for a moment and pulled back to look at him. "Neither one will be shocked, although my mom will act like she is. My dad might not be so happy at first, but he'll get over it."
"He has to," Tommy added.
"Right," Jude agreed. "They'll both be skeptical at first, but we can win them over. If we won over the studio, they'll be a piece of cake."
"I hope you're right," he said tentatively, pulling her in for another embrace. "Let's get back out there. This is your birthday party, remember?"
"Oh right…I actually forgot it for a few minutes there," she said with a laugh. He wrapped his arm around her and walked out of the conference room, both with huge smiles on their faces.