A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.
Episode 31 - Tongue Tied
Part 1
Tommy and Jude have slowly been getting their relationship back on track. They started talking again about music, what else. They stopped hiding their feelings from each other, so of course they argued a lot, but it was infinitely better than the silences they used to sit through. The physicality of their relationship consisted of handholding and stolen kisses. It was like they were back at the beginning.
Tommy made his way over to Studio C where Jude was working with Kwest. "Hey, Kwest man you mind if I talk to Jude for a second?" Tommy said nervously. "T, man you alright you're sweating?" Kwest said trying to hide the amused grin on his face. "What! Oh yeah, I'm fine. I must be coming down with something. (cough cough) And I'm contagious" Tommy said to Kwest. "Alright man I get it, you, Jude alone time" said Kwest as he got up out of his chair. "Jude, Tommy's here to see you. I'm getting some coffee, you want?" Kwest said. "Naw, I'm good thanks!" Jude said.
"Hey, Jude, you got a minute?" Tommy said. "For you, I might even have five" I said teasingly. "Ha ha very funny Harrison" Tommy said as he dug his hands into his pockets.
I put down my guitar and looked up at Tommy. "Okay, you've got my undivided attention. What's up?" I said. "So the weather's been pretty nice lately, huh?" Tommy said. "Tommy, come on, you seriously didn't come in here to talk about the weather, have you? Because if you have it means that we're gonna have to take a trip out to see Kelly and frankly I'd rather not. Whatever it is just tell me" I said with concern. "Jude, do you have any plans tonight?" Tommy said quickly. "Well, I was planning on finishing this song and then I dunno grabbing dinner and spending some quality time with the TV. Why?" I said curiously. "Well, if you're busy then…" Tommy said as he tried to make an escape. I got up off my stool and ran over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Tommy, you're acting insane and one of us is plenty; two is definitely in the category of not good" I said as I looked into his eyes, which at the moment was shifting blues. "Okay just breathe. You've done this a million times" Tommy said in his head and muttered something. "What, was that even coherent?" Jude said. Tommy shook his head to shake the cobwebs. "I said do you want to go on a date with me?" Tommy said. "Wow, now that I think about it. We've never actually gone on any dates. I mean before we got married and afterwards we were always just together. This is a big deal" I said with careful thought. "Thanks a lot Jude like I'm not already under a lot of pressure" Tommy said. "Come on Tommy the hard part is over" I said with a grin. Tommy stood there confused. "I said yes didn't I" I said. "Oh" Tommy said. "Oh" I said mocking him.
Part 2
Jude got home excited like a schoolgirl for her first date with Tommy. She had changed her outfit a ton of time and had finally settled on one she liked. She was just putting the finishing touches to her hair and make-up when she heard the doorbell. She bounded down the steps and opened the door a little breathless. Tommy stood there with flowers and chocolate. "These are for you" he said as he kissed my cheek. He offered me the crook of his arm, which I gladly took. We walked a few steps when I gasped aloud. "I hope this is okay" Tommy said hopefully in my direction. In front of us was my horse hitched up to a carriage. It was like my Cinderella fantasy had come to life. He helped me up into the carriage before getting in. "Tommy where are we going?" I said. "If I tell you then I'd have to kill you" he said with a grin. I couldn't help but laugh at his lame joke and countered "Would you like some wine with that cheese?" Tommy clutched his heart pretending to be wounded. I playfully punched him on the shoulder.
Part 3
Let me tell you those first 20 minutes in the carriage was everything I imagined. It was the next 20 minutes that I hadn't planned on. My but was getting numb and slightly bruised from all the jostling due to the potholes. Brownie was getting a little too enthusiastic and when we drove over a particularly bad pot hole that was when the axle on the wheel broke and we were stranded. Tommy and I got out of the carriage. Tommy looked forlornly at the break. "What you didn't bring a spare wheel?" I said to lighten to the mood. "You could always call triple A" I said. Tommy ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Why don't we call a cab? We can still make whatever it is you planned out for us" I said as I whipped out my cell phone. "Don't" Tommy said. "Do you have a back up plan" I inquired. "Not really?" Tommy said. "Wait, I have an idea" I said as I unhooked the carriage from Brownie. "Well are you coming" I said to Tommy as I sat atop the horse and offered him my hand.
Part 4
When we got to the restaurant we left the reins with a very confused looking valet guy. We were both still laughing when we reached the maitre d. "Hi we have reservations for two under Jude" Tommy said as he intertwined his hand with mine and brought them to his lips for a kiss. "One moment sir" said the maitre d. I'm sorry Mr. Quincy, but your reservations are for the 23rd" said the maitre d. "And" Tommy said annoyed. "Tommy today's the 22nd" I said. "Today's the…" Tommy said as the words died in his mouth. "Tommy it's no big deal, really" I said as I looked up into his eyes. "Let's just go okay" I said as I tugged on his hand.
Part 5
We ended up riding Brownie over to the lake. We were strolling around the boardwalk after "parking" our horse when we saw a hot dog stand. We ordered two hotdogs and something to drink. Tommy dug into his pocket for his wallet when his hand came up empty. I saw his distress and quickly pulled a $10 from my purse. "I got this, okay" I said. Tommy clearly embarrassed by how incredibly bad this night was going walked with his head down. I gently took his hand and we sat on the picnic bench where we had worked on our first song together. "Do you remember this spot, Jude?" he said as Jude leaned her back against Tommy's chest. "How could I forget? My parents gave me the 3rd degree after seeing those pictures of the two of us in that gossip rag" I said. Tommy looked disappointed by my answer. I turned around and really looked at him. "What I meant to say is it was right here when I first fell in love with you" I said as I touched my hand to his cheek. The moment was soon broken however when Tommy stood up on the picnic table and announced to the world that he "Loves Jude Harrison." Everyone on the boardwalk kind of gave him a funny look before going back to what they were doing. "I think you would have had the crowd with you if you held a stereo above your head?" I said teasingly. "What?" Tommy said. "You know John Cusack in Say Anything" I said. "You have so much to learn" I said with a shake of my head. "So teach me" he said with an impish grin. "You wanna get out of here?" Tommy said. "Sure" I said as we made our way back to our horse.
Part 6
We were at the front door of the house. Tommy leaned in and gave me a kiss. It had to have been at least on our top ten list. We broke apart with smiles on our faces. He looked at me expectantly. "What, do I have something in my teeth or something?" I said. "No" he said as he pulled a few strands of hair behind my ear. "Aren't you going to invite me in" Tommy said. I put my hands on my hips, "Why did someone tell you I was easy?" I said teasingly. "What! Um…no! What!" he stuttered as a look of horror was plastered on his face. "I'm just teasing, Quincy" I said as I grabbed his hand and led him upstairs.
Part 7
A trail of clothes led from the hallway to the partly open bedroom door. His lips hungrily devoured mine as the last remaining clothes were shed and we were stumbling our way to the bed. The sheets were ripped off the perfectly made bed. Things were a little more than heated when Tommy's hand blindly grabbed for the condom in the drawer. "Jude…" Tommy moaned as I playfully nipped his ear. "Tommy no interruptions" I said as I trailed kisses down his chest. "We don't have any condoms. God this is just perfect!" Tommy sighed in frustration. I stopped kissing him and sat on his chest as I stared at his eyes, which had turned a dark shade of blue-gray. "Tommy it's okay" I said trying to reassure him. "I don't know about you, but this date has been a complete disaster. This is been the worst date that I have ever been on!" Tommy said with disgust. "I didn't think it was that bad" I said. "Jude I love you, but you're the worst liar. You know that right!" Tommy said. "Believe me Tommy. It wasn't that bad. We're together. That's all that matters, okay" I said as I kissed his forehead. "You're right, I'm sorry. I just wanted everything to go perfectly you know instead of…You know what it's fine, just let me put some clothes on and I'll go buy some…" Tommy said as he picked me up by the waist and set me on the bed gently. I grabbed his wrist and really looked at him. "What is it?" he said as took my hand. "In couples' therapy, do you remember when we both said that we were happiest when it was just the three of us?" I said. Tommy shook his head. "We could have that again Tommy. Just, stay with me tonight" I said as I pulled him back into bed.
Part 8
Tommy sat there shock still for a good minute. "Tommy? Say something. You're freaking me out here?" I said as I gently put my hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I'm just…I need to get out of here" he said as he made his way to the door. "Wait!" I said. "Not now Jude!" he said harshly over his shoulder. I was trying to decide whether or not to remind him that he was stark naked, but my generous heart won out. "You might want to put some clothes on" I yelled. I heard him stop mid-way down the stairs. He ran back to the room and pulled on a pair of jeans. "Why don't these stupid things fit?" Tommy yelled out in frustration. "Um, probably because those are mine?" I said with a cough to stifle the giggle threatening to rise from my throat. "Oh" Tommy said. He quickly swiped his clothes from the ground and left in a hurry. I heard the door slam and the screech of tires fade into the night.
Part 9
I sat there with a knot in my stomach. "Is there something wrong with me? Does he not want to have a baby? He was so good with Aiden. Okay it was a work in progress. No, it's definitely not me. It's him. God, Quincy!" I yelled out in frustration. My cell phone rang and I picked it up on the second ring. "What?" I said angrily. "Um, hey, Jude, so Tommy just barged in while I was with someone" Kwest said. "So?" I said. "No, Jude I was with with someone?" Kwest said. "Oh, God, I'm sooo sorry" I said horrified. "So any information you might want to share because he's raiding my wet bar and she just locked herself in my bathroom" Kwest said with a sigh. "Okay well Tommy and I had just gotten home from our date, and we were in our bedroom and…" I said when Kwest interrupted. "Jude you sly dog you" Kwest said with a laugh. "Kwest, so not helping" I said. "Sorry (cough)" Kwest said. "So long story short we had no condoms on hand, so I told Tommy to forget about it and possibly mentioned the word baby?" I said quickly. The line went silent. "Kwest? Are you still there" I said biting my lip. "Jude I'm gonna have to call you back" Kwest said in a serious tone. "Can you hold on a sec" Kwest said. I heard him knocking and a muffled conversation. "I guess no one's getting any tonight" I said. "I heard that Jude" Kwest said. "Oh hee hee" I said. "Jude I can't tell you anything, but I'll take care of Tommy, okay" Kwest said. "Kwest, come on we've known each other for how long?" I said. "I'll take good care of him I promise" Kwest said. "What am I supposed to do in the mean time?" I said. "Don't worry" Kwest said. "Yeah fat chance" I said as I hung up the phone in disgust. Jude was a worrier; she couldn't help it; it was embedded in her DNA. She started going through her contacts list on her cell and made some calls. "I'm sorry I know it's really late, but can you please come over" I said.
Part 10
It took less than an hour for everyone to get to Jude and Tommy's house. "Hey" I said as I opened the door and was instantly enveloped in a hug. "I'm glad you all could make it" I said as I gazed at Georgia, my mom, E.J., Sadie, and Kat. They didn't arrive empty handed I can tell you that. They each brought an odd assortment of food.
Part 11
Tommy was throwing them back like he was in a Gatorade commercial. "I'm gonna need back up" Kwest thought to himself. He called up Stuart, Jamie, Jake, and Jackson on the ruse of a poker game at his apartment. They walked in carrying chips, Chinese food, and a couple six packs of beer. "I guess Tommy's already started the party without us" Jamie piped in. Kwest just gave him a knock it off look. "You know what guys I just remembered that I don't have a deck of cards" Kwest said. "You don't have a deck of cards" said Jake. "In here, I don't have a deck of cards in here" Kwest said. "I think it's in the kitchen. Can you guys help me look for it? Tommy you just stay here and continue what you're doing?" Kwest said. Tommy didn't even bother looking up. Kwest grabbed Jamie roughly by the arm and the rest of the guys followed Kwest into the kitchen. "Alright, Kwest what's really going on?" said Jackson.
Part 12
"What's wrong honey" Victoria Harrison said. "Nothing's wrong, can't a girl just invite her friends and family whom she hasn't seen in a while without the third degree?" I said. "A girl can, but you can't" said E.J. mercilessly. Everyone turned and stared at E.J. "What! I'm just saying what everybody else is thinking!" said E.J. in her defense. Sadie rolled her eyes at E.J. and began munching on the snacks she had brought. We stared as she began dipping a pickle into a jar of peanut butter and chasing it with some salsa. "Don't mock it until you try it" Sadie said as she dangled a pickle covered in peanut butter near Kat's face. Kat reluctantly took the offered pickle, made the sign of the cross, closed her eyes, and took a bite as E.J. made her way to the nearest bathroom and cried out "I think I'm going to be sick." "Hey, that's not half bad" Kat said who picked up the pickle jar. "See told ya" Sadie said as she stuck out her tongue at E.J. who had returned looking a little green. Georgia put a supportive arm around E.J. "You should see a doctor, E.J., you've been throwing up for weeks now." said Georgia with concern. Victoria Harrison looked at the girls in front of her appraisingly. "Oh my God, you're pregnant!" Victoria Harrison cried out getting a slew of different reactions. "Mom, I was going to tell you!" Sadie said excitedly before being enveloped in a hug by Victoria. "I must be pregnant if I thought pickles with peanut butter and salsa was amazing. I mean I've eaten my fair share of odd food pairings because of well Jamie, but pickles with peanut butter has never been on my radar" Kat exclaimed. "You mean Jake's the reason I've been throwing up every morning! I'm going to kill him!" E.J. fumed. That brought a round of laughter to everyone's lips except for one. I sat there feeling angry and frustrated with Tommy and utterly lonely. I felt like a stranger peaking in through a window witnessing something I had no right being part of. I sat there with my lip trembling desperately trying not to let the tears flow as everyone gave each other hugs. They were all so happy. I had to get out of there. I quietly made my way to the kitchen and made my way to the sink.
Part 13
"What's really going on is that Jude mentioned the words baby and Tommy in the same sentence" Kwest said. "No wonder he's freaking out" said Jake. Jackson smacked him hard in the back of the head. "Ow what was that for!" Jake said rubbing his head. "I'm going to be a grandfather!" said Stuart Harrison. "Okay guys focus! Tommy lost both his mother and sister in child birth" said Kwest. The group of men fell silent. Jaime grabbed a glass from the cabinet. "Andrews where are you going?" said Kwest. "If we're going to consider the possibility of losing Jude, my best friend, I'm going to need a drink" said Jaime. "Take a deep breath Andrews. Jude's not going anywhere because she's not pregnant" said Kwest. Everyone looked up at Kwest expectantly. "She's not" said Stuart. "Mr. Harrison this is going to be completely awkward, but I called Jude earlier and she said Tommy and her were in bed, they ran out of condoms, and Jude told Tommy not to bother, the word baby was thrown in there, and now here we are" Kwest said quickly and glanced at Jude's dad. "No this isn't awkward at all!" piped in Jake who ducked from Jackson's attempted back of the head hit, but didn't see the one coming from Jamie. Kwest grabbed the glass in Jamie's hand. "Hey" said Jamie that's mine. Meanwhile Jackson grabbed some more glasses from the cabinet and steered the group out of the kitchen. "I think we're all gonna need a drink" said Jackson.
Part 14
It was a good couple of minutes when Sadie came into the kitchen. She watched as her little sister washed the dishes in the sink. She grabbed the dish towel hanging from the oven door, took a deep breath, and made her way over. They continued working in silence until Sadie put the last dish back in the cabinet. She steered her little sister into a chair. "Jude why were you crying" said Sadie. "I wasn't" I said stubbornly. "Look me in the eyes and tell me you weren't" said Sadie. She gently turned my face towards her. "What has Quincy done to her this time" Sadie said as she examined Jude's puffy red rimmed eyes. "What happened Jude" said Sadie in her most comforting voice. Jude wrapped her arms around her sister and began to cry. Victoria, Georgia, E.J., and Kat quietly made their way into the kitchen and put a comforting hand on Jude. "What's wrong with me!" I cried out. "Nothing's wrong with you" said Kat. "Why doesn't he want to have a baby with me?" I said as I pulled out of Sadie's grasp and into my mom's arms. "It's not you honey" said Georgia. "Then what is it!" I said angrily. "Jude I've known Tommy for a long time. Maybe he should be the one to tell you" said Georgia. "Georgia we've known each other for a long time and I deserve to know. If you know something I'm begging you just tell me. I can handle it" I said as I steeled myself for the worst.
Part 15
Stuart Harrison walked up to Tommy and poured himself a drink. Kwest took a seat next to him and poured himself a drink and quickly drained it. "Where are the cards" Tommy slurred. "Couldn't find them" said Kwest apologetically. "That's too bad" said Tommy who hiccupped. Jackson whispered something into Jamie and Jake's ear. Before Kwest could stop them, the three of them picked up Tommy and threw him into Kwest's shower and turned on the cold water. Kwest poured himself another drink, drained it, and headed into the bathroom where he heard some colorful language coming out of his best friend's mouth.
Part 16
"He lost both his mother and sister in child birth" I said in small voice. "If I know Tommy he's probably terrified about the slightest chance of losing you" said Georgia. "I'm not going to die in child birth" I said. "It's a very real possibility…" said E.J. "You're not helping E.J." Kat said. "…for all of us" said E.J. Sadie, E.J., and Kat all looked at one another. There were a few minutes of pensive silence before it was broken by the least likely member of the group. "I almost died during labor" she said. "I had lost a lot of blood and the baby…the baby didn't make it" she struggled to say. "My husband and I were a wreck afterwards and then one day he left me. We eventually got divorced and I found myself alone" said Georgia. I walked over to Georgia and gave her a heart felt squeeze. "I was alone for a while until this angry boy walked into my life" said Georgia. "Tommy" I stated. Georgia nodded. "And then you came along a few years later" she said fondly looking down at me. "You know I always envied what you had Victoria. You raised these two amazing daughters" Georgia said wistfully. "And I always envied your relationship with Jude. You and Stuart both have this bond with Jude through music that I'll never have" replied Victoria. A look of understanding passed between the two women. "I love both of you so much" I said as I hugged both women at the same time as E.J., Kat, and Sadie all burst into tears. Victoria, Georgia, and I burst into laughter as we released each other from the hug and went over to envelope the pregnant women in a group hug and a series of "I love you's" were shared amongst the group.
Part 17
Stuart Harrison walked into the bathroom with a towel in hand. Jackson, Jaime, Jake headed out the door. Stuart gave Kwest a reassuring look, so Kwest got up and left after leaving Tommy some dry clothes. Tommy took the offered towel and dry clothes. After a few minutes Tommy looked back to normal except for the lack of hair product in his hair. "So, I hear I'm not going to be a grandfather" Stuart Harrison said in a serious tone causing Tommy to pale. "See the thing is Mr. Harrison…" Tommy said. "It's okay son, Kwest told me" Stuart Harrison said enveloping Tommy into a hug. "I don't want to lose Jude" said Tommy. "Am I being selfish?" said Tommy. "I don't have an answer for you. All I can tell you that being a father has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my entire existence" said Stuart. "What I was going to say before is that I loved being a dad with Aiden" said Tommy. "Who is Aiden?" Stuart said. "It's something all of you should hear" Tommy said as he and Stuart left the confines of the bathroom.
Part 18
Meanwhile at Jude and Tommy's house, "Since we're revealing truths tonight maybe it's time I told you guys everything like I said I would back at the psyche ward" I said. "Are you sure?" said Kat who gave my hand a squeeze. "I want to tell you what it was like being a mom…" I said which certainly got everyone's attention in the room.
Part 19
"And that's the whole story" Jude and Tommy said in two different parts of Toronto. Their audience sat there stunned, which seemed to happen quite a few times that evening.
Part 20
"I miss my girlfriend" whined Jamie. "Me too" said Jake. Jamie gave him a look. "I miss my girlfriend, E.J., not yours" Jake said. "I think we're all missing our somebody's" said Jackson. "Kwest, man will you give me a ride back to my place?" said Tommy. "Sure, man" said Kwest.
Part 21
"Just follow your heart, Jude and everything will fall into place" said E.J. Everyone looked at her surprised. "Will you all stop giving me those looks!" said E.J. "Awww, E.J., I never knew you to be a romantic!" I said as I gave her a hug. "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" said E.J who returned my hug. "We won't tell a soul" said Sadie and Kat who had their fingers crossed behind their backs. Victoria and Georgia saw this and burst into laughter. Just then the doorbell rang. The guys all filed in and hugged their girlfriends. Sadie, Kat, and E.J. whispered something into their boyfriends' ears. "They're telling them aren't they" said Victoria to Georgia. The guys burst into grins and began congratulating each other. Then Tommy strolled in. "Jude…" he said. "Tommy…" Jude said. "Jake…" Jake said. E.J. smacked him in the back of the head. "Oh I'm sorry I thought we were taking turns" said Jake with a grin on his face. "Okay everyone let's all go home and leave Tommy and Jude to work out whatever they need to work out" Georgia said as she literally had to shove people out the door. "Good luck you two" she said before shutting the front door.
Part 22
"I'm sorry" they both said at the same time causing each other to laugh. I buried my head in his chest. He breathed in the scent of her hair and sighed. "I'm the one who should be saying sorry for walking out without an explanation" said Tommy. "I want to start a family with you Jude, but I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I might lose you during child birth the way I lost my mom and my sister" he said as a tear made its way down his face. "Tommy you'll never lose me" I said. "Good because I'm never letting you go" he said as he pulled me closer to him. He loosened his hold on me and I brushed his hair away from his forehead, stood on my tippy toes, and kissed his forehead. I grabbed his hand and we slowly made our way back to the bedroom where it had all began.
Part 23
A week or two later. Tommy stayed awake long afterwards. He had a worried expression on his face and was absently stroking Jude's hair. "Go to sleep Tommy" I said. Tommy sighed. "And stop worrying" I said as I brushed my hair out of my eyes. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips and pulled him into a longer one. Quick as a cat he had me pinned. I grinned up at him mischievously. "Any regrets?" he said with a worried look in his eyes. "Never" I said as I pulled him into a kiss. "You?" I said with an equally worried look on my face. In answer he rested his hand tenderly on my stomach before sliding down and trailing kisses down my stomach. Then, he laid his head down on my stomach, wrapped his arms around me, closed his eyes, and finally gave in to sleep.