I woke up the day of my birthday with a smile plastered across my face, not because it was my birthday, but because we were leaving that night for L.A. I had made Sadie and mom promise not to do anything big since dad's passing had sort of thrown a shadow over the occasion, but G Majors was planning to throw a small reception once we got to L.A. I could live with that. Throwing the covers off, I jumped out of bed, literally hopped into the shower, and then threw on a pair of Jeans and a red spaghetti strap tank top before slipping on some red flip flops and pulling my hair back into a ponytail. No, I am not a ponytail type of girl, but today I was just planning on living with it. I had to meet with Darius, Portia, and the guys at the studio before we left that night as we needed to do a few finishing touches as well as costume checks before we boarded. The group going with us had grown so large that Darius had decided to charter a small, private plane for our use instead of going commercial. Privately, I was actually relieved about that since I had developed a very firm phobia of flying due to what had happened to my dad. Grabbing my suitcase, I marched downstairs in order to head to the studio. Mom and Sadie were there making breakfast and chatting as I walked over to the cupboard and grabbed a pop tart before walking towards the front door.
"Stop right there, Jude Harrison." Mom said firmly and I flinched as I turned slowly around to see three pancakes loaded with syrup, a butter square, and a single white candle sitting stoically in the center.
"You are not getting away without letting us at least say Happy Birthday, now are you Jude. That would just spoil the day for us." Sadie said jovially as I raised my brow at her and smiled.
"You are way way too perky for eight in the morning, sunshine." I said humorously as I made my way to the table and blew out the single flame in one breath.
"What did you wish for?" Sadie asked as if on cue. I shrugged and grinned.
"Fame, fortune, you know, the usual things." I said quickly although my real wish sat in the back of my mind festering like an open sore. Sadie rolled her eyes even though she grinned as she pulled the candle out of the food and handed me a fork. I started to look at my watch when a hand suddenly clasped my wrist and pulled it back down to my side.
"Don't think so, cutie. Today, time is not of the essence. And you better finish that syrupy food before I let you into the Viper." Tom Quincy said as he suddenly materialized beside me. I smiled broadly at him as he handed me a small white rose and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.
"Happy birthday." He whispered as a loud noise at the front of the living room caused all of us to jump in surprise.
"Sorry." Jamie murmured apologetically as he stumbled through the room lugging a very big suitcase.
"Taking the whole house, Andrews?" I asked with a laugh as he glared at me sullenly.
"No, thank you very much. Patsy decided it would be easier to stuff both of our clothes in one bag instead of two. Trust me, most of this is her stuff." He said quickly as the rest of us chuckled. Jamie wasn't originally supposed to be going on the trip, but it's surprising what a little horny video tape, blackmail, and Liam will equal up to. Hmmmm. Let's just say it didn't take a whole lot of persuading on my part.
"And you want him along because…?" Tommy asked surreptitiously in my ear. I smiled up at him with a knowing look on my face.
"Come on, Tommy, tell me out of everyone we know, who has caused the most comedic relief lately?" I said jokingly. Tom shrugged and grinned.
"Can't argue with you there. Having the Addams Family along will definitely perk things up a bit." Tommy said winningly. Jamie glanced up with a scowl as he straightened a strap that had fallen loose on the case.
"I heard that, you two." Jamie said with a grimace as we laughed and gathered our suitcases to place in the back of Tommy's car. I bent to pick up my two bags when Tommy suddenly brushed my hands aside and grabbed the handles.
"I've got it, Jude." He said quietly and our eyes met briefly as we both stood back up slowly.
"Well, chivalry isn't dead." I said with a small shake of my head and a fond grin as I watched him walk out the door with my bags. Mom sidled up beside me, followed my gaze with her eyes, and then smiled tenderly as she put her arm around my shoulder.
"Sometimes, the best ones are worth the wait." She said gently before placing her forehead against mine. "Happy birthday, sweetheart." I looked into her eyes and smiled before stepping away. I was painfully on the verge of tears, and I was so not going to cry on a day like this. The wind was chilly as we all headed out in two separate vehicles—Tom, Jamie, and I were in the Viper with mom and Sadie in the car behind us. Tommy had informed me once we got out to the car that Darius had decided he wanted to leave earlier. Any last minute stuff could be done when we got there that way we would have a chance to sit back and relax a little before the interview. I definitely couldn't disagree with that. Upon reaching the small airport where the charter plane was waiting, Tommy paid for the week of parking before automatically lifting his roof and locking his doors. Mom and Sadie followed suit. Out near the edge of the runway, the boys of SME were stacking suitcases in a vain attempt at what looked like a game of Suitcase Legos. Wally was stacking a small blue one on a large black one when Spied started wrestling Chad and all three fell on the pile in a haphazard mix. Not far from them, Patsy was walking around the buildings sneakily, probably looking for something to add to her already large klepto collection. I shook my head slowly as I nudged Tommy lightly on the shoulder before pointing to the group.
"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense." I said wistfully as Tommy laughed at the quip. A black limo pulled in behind us and I slid a sideways glance to Tommy as we shared a knowing look. Darius never could arrive anywhere without coming in style. Out of the vehicle, Kwest, Portia, Darius, and Liam all exited while a driver started unloading their bags from the back. Kwest walked over to us and I gave him an amused grin as he came to a stop.
"Now, how did you manage to catch a ride in the big man's stylish automobile?" I said snidely as Kwest shrugged before grinning mischievously.
"It's all in who you know." He said with a chuckle as Darius yelled for all of us to get ready to board. The crew of the company who owned the charter took our luggage and started packing it into the back of the plane as the rest of us walked over to the stairs that led into the machine's gaping belly. My nerves were on end as I took the stairs one at a time. Flashbacks to my father's news report kept flashing through my head, and I began to feel a little faint as I stepped through the door into the aisle of the plane. The lone flight attendant smiled winsomely at me as she motioned for me to take whatever seat I felt comfortable with. I glanced back at Sadie and mom, but neither seemed to notice the predicament I was in. "Please, don't let me hyperventilate." I thought to myself as I tried to take a step forward. A gentle nudging from behind me caused me to look up into Tommy's knowing gaze and he pointed to two seats near the front of the plane behind the cock pit.
"You'll have more leg room if you sit there." He said quietly as he led me over to the seats. I just nodded mutely as we sat down and watched as the rest of our odd crew boarded and took a seat. The flight attendant started speaking but hell if I knew. I saw her lips moving but that was as far as I got. Have you ever seen that movie French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline where Meg is deathly afraid of flying so she keeps running montages through her head to keep from going insane. I was so identifying with that character right now. Tommy held out a stick of gum to me as the engines roared to life.
"It helps." He said gently as I shook my head emphatically.
"Tommy, if I put that in my mouth, I will puke." I said point blank as Tommy took my hand in his and squeezed it gently.
"Just breathe, Jude. The take off is the worst part." He said as the plane began to roll down the runway. I braced myself by digging my nails into Tommy's hand as it started to lift off the ground. Tommy winced and said jokingly,
"You know, it would have been better if you had just taken the gum." I threw him a look and closed my eyes tight shut until I felt a breeze on my ear as Tom whispered,
"Jude, we're in the air now." I cracked open an eyelid and peeked out the window and sighed. Now if only I could make it through the rest of the flight. I glanced down at Tom's hands and noticed the angry welts that now marred his skin. He hadn't even complained much about the pain.
"Geez, Tom! I'm so sorry. Why didn't you say something?" I asked quickly as I took his hand in mine and leaned over to take a kleenex out of my bag to wipe it off. Tom just watched me quietly.
"It'll heal, Jude. You needed the comfort more than I needed to be comfortable." Tom said thoughtfully. I couldn't help but gape at him as something wet and very white flew through the air and landed on my foot. Oh! Ugghhhh. It was a spitball.
"Spied!" I shouted in irritation as the plane continued forward to California. What a way to start a trip…..