A week after we returned home, everything felt like it was returning to normal as I walked down the stairs of my house one more time to a birthday surprise as, to my horror, Sadie and mom sang the Happy Birthday song as I walked out the door to head to the studio to begin recording my third album. My second had been a huge success. The sales were off the chart. I made it to the studio to find a big birthday cake and a very happy looking staff as we entered the studio to start to record. It was late afternoon when we finally stopped and Tommy pulled me aside to show me an article in the local newspaper. "Jude Harrison, Canada's New Biggest Celebrity Celebrates Her Eighteenth Birthday with a Bam as her record sales blow the charts. Congratulations, Jude. Keep them coming," it read as I grinned happily and silently patted myself on the back. We had come a long way to this momentous point. I sat down to read it again.
"Come on." Tom said with a grin as he threw down the paper and pulled me up by my hand. It was my birthday today and I had already gotten good news and a brand new platinum album. What could possibly be any better?
"Where are we going?" I asked with a laugh as he led me hurriedly out of the studio.
"To celebrate." He said with a wry grin and a shrug of his shoulder before leading me to his parked viper outside. I grinned at the rush he was in before sliding into the seat and buckling myself in securely. He didn't speak at all as he drove until we pulled into the parking lot of a popular tavern across town. Climbing out and walking around to the passenger side of the car, Tom opened my door and offered me his hand like a gentleman. I quirked a brow thoroughly impressed at his formality, which he continued to demonstrate as he led me into the club. I just grinned up at him absent-mindedly as he led me to the bar and said something in a low tone to the bartender, indicating two of something with his fingers. When the bartender placed two alcoholic beverages on the counter in front of us, I looked at Tom with a whimsical expression as he lifted his glass and saluted me.
"Are you trying to get me drunk, Tom Quincy?" I asked with a smirk as Tom picked up my glass and banged it against his before handing it to me with fanciful relish.
"Do I have to?" He said with an inclination of his head as I laughed softly to myself. He knew the answer to that question. Lifting my glass up to the light, I peered at the reflection of bubbles that marred its frothy top before downing it in a couple of gulps.
"Let's find out shall we?" I said with a chuckle as Tom and I ordered another round. We hadn't even made it to round three before my head said 'stop.' I had never been very good at holding my drink, and I was already woozy enough to realize I was drunk. Tom ordered a few more before I noticed he was well on his way to being smashed too.
"I think we need to order a cab and leave your viper here for the night." I said with a hiccup as I giggled before placing my hand over my mouth. Tom chuckled.
"I think you're right." He said with a sloppy grin as he asked the bartender if we could call a cab. The bartender smiled at us knowingly as he reached for the phone, and Tom and I swayed crazily across the room as we made our way out the door to wait. The world was spinning crazily, and I vaguely remember Tom asking me something very important, but since I wasn't really sure exactly what it was, I just nodded my head and hoped that I wasn't agreeing to something outlandish. I sighed in relief as the cab pulled up to the curb, and I climbed in rather sloppily. I must have dozed in and out during the drive because the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of some sleepy looking man repeating words I wasn't sure I would remember while Tommy placed a gold band around my finger. Looking at it, I barely recognized it as an old signet ring of his that he wore occasionally. What the hell was going on here? I looked up into Tommy's bloodshot eyes just as the man behind us said on a sigh,
"I now pronounce you man and wife."
