AN: As always, thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. You guys rock! BTW, I'm going to speed things up a bit in the next chapter, because not much happens between this chapter and the next.
Special ANs: Thanks to cecapo3610, scott4eva, Camsma, Chloe, Ally, LovesRock, and Shannon for reviewing. And thanks everyone for reading this!
Disclaimer: (I always forget this part) Of course I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. If I did, Tommy wouldn't have left, and Jude and Tommy would have hooked up on their date.
Chapter 24: Is She or Isn't She?
"Ms. Harrison, we'll need to run some tests. Do you feel up to it?" The doctor asked.
"Yes, I'd like to get them over with," Jude said, her face paling at the thought of being in a hospital and having to do some tests.
The doctor laughed. "OK, then, we'll start with a pregnancy test. I usually like to do 3 or four, just to ensure their accuracy."
"OK, will it hurt?" Jude wondered.
"Not so much. You'll feel a little pain, then it'll be over before you know it," the doctor assured her.
"OK," Jude still looked a little doubtful about it.
After the procedure, Jude asked the doctor another question. "How long before we know?"
"We'll have the results pretty soon, and we'll let you know. Is there anything else you might need?" The doctor asked politely.
"No, we'll take care of her. Thank you," I said as I shook the doctor's hand again.
"It's my pleasure," The doctor nodded before leaving the room.
"Whatever happens, we're in this together. If you are, we'll deal with this. I wouldn't leave you alone to handle this by yourself. And if you aren't, we'll keep trying. OK?" I asked Jude, holding her close.
"Thank you, Tommy," Jude looked more relieved now, and hugged me. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Jude," I said, as I kissed Jude. Then we went back to Sadie's.
A couple of days later, we got a call from the doctor's office. As soon as we walked in, the doctor was waiting for us.
"Ms. Harrison, Mr. Quincy, I have the results of Jude's pregnancy test." The doctor said, after motioning for us to sit down.
I felt Jude grip my hand tightly, and I looked over at her, giving her all the support and love that I could.
"Jude, you are-"
Jude grabbed my hand and squeezed tightly. I knew she wanted this just as much as I did.
"Going to be a mother. Congratulations!" The doctor beamed at us, as I looked over at Jude. Her mouth was open, and she was in shock for a second. Then she started shrieking and jumping up and down and pulling me in for the biggest hug she'd ever given me. She also hugged the doctor, who looked a little embarrassed, but happy anyway.
"If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call me, anytime. Here's my card. Again, congrats on the baby. I'll be in touch." The doctor left shortly afterwards, and Jude leapt on me and shrieked in my ear, but I didn't care. I was going to be a dad.
Then memories came flooding back of my own childhood, and I promised that my child would have all the love and support that I could give it. But Jude would have first dibs, always. Without her, none of this would be possible. I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Congrats, girl. You're going to be a great mommy. I can tell."
Jude smiled back, and I felt my insides melt at the warmth of her love for me. "And I have this feeling that you're going to be a great daddy."
"Come on, let's go tell everyone at the studio," I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.
"OK," Jude agreed, and we left.
When we got there, the studio was as busy as it always was. We headed straight for Georgia's office, where we saw Georgia swamped with mountains of paperwork.
"Hey Georgia, you got a minute?" I said, poking my head into her office.
"What's it look like?" Georgia muttered, looking uncharacteristically grumpy.
"Just come on, OK? Where's D?" I asked.
"Probably watching the other artists practicing their dance moves." Georgia spat out. She hated doing paperwork, and from the look of it, she had a ton to do.
I walked over to where she was sitting, and grabbed her arm, pulling her up.
"Tommy, I really should finish this," she began weakly, as I smiled.
"There's something Jude and I want to tell everyone, and it's a good time for you to take a break anyway," I said to her, smiling. Georgia didn't resist, and followed me outside.
"Hey D, you got a sec?" I said, not going to take no for an answer.
Darius looked over at me. He hated being bothered, but from the tone in my voice, he knew it was something important.
"What is it?" Darius said, trying to sound disinterested.
"Wait, I gotta get Kwest and Sadie," I said, knowing they'd want to know too. Darius scowled at me and turned his attention back to the artists at work.
"I'll be back," I called out, noting that D completely ignored me.
I found Sadie and Kwest at their usual seats, and brought them back out to where Darius was.
"Attention G Major, Jude and I have an announcement to make," I said loudly. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Jude and me.
I took Jude's hand, and looked at her to continue. "Tommy and I are going to have a baby," Jude said, still in shock at the news.
Sadie, Georgia, and E.J., who happened to be nearby, started shrieking excitedly. E.J. screamed about how she had to throw a party on the spot, and started running toward the kitchen. Moments later, she came back with cups, plates, utensils, and napkins, and Sadie left to get a cake from the nearest bakery.
Darius, as collected as ever, came over and congratulated us. "Congratulations, you two. Of course, you'll still be expected to work until you can't anymore. Then when you come back, I expect you to have a few songs written and ready to record."
"You've never had a baby, have you D?" I asked, biting back a laugh.
"Ever hear of a nanny?" Darius smirked.
"Yeah, but I want our child to recognize its parents, not just see it on Christmas and New Year's." I shot back.
"Point taken. Go on, have some cookies," Darius encouraged. Jude instantly made a beeline for the dessert table, which Georgia had temporarily provided some cookies and whatever else she could find in the kitchen. We always kept a large supply of Pop-Tarts, cookies, and other snacks on hand, since Jude had a sweet tooth the size of Canada.
"Jude, slow down. Once the baby comes, you're going to be eating for two," I suggested. I wanted her to be able to fit through the door, but at the rate she was wolfing down those Pop-Tarts…
"You're right. And Sadie's going to remind me that I put on 50 pounds every day until I finally have it."
Kwest, always one to keep his emotions in check, made his way over to us. "Hey Jude, Tommy. Congrats on the baby." Jude hugged him, then I hugged him too. I don't usually hug guys, but Kwest is like the brother I never had. I can always count on him for anything, there's nothing that I wouldn't tell him, and I'd trust him with my life.
About 10 minutes later, Sadie came back with the cake, and as soon as she stepped inside the door, Jude attacked the cake.
"Jude, wait until the candles are lit," Georgia instructed. Jude did so, although she was sullen about it.
E.J. insisted on lighting the candles, and then Eden walked by.
"Congrats on your pregnancy," Eden smiled. I knew something was up. She couldn't be this nice.
"Eden, who invited you?" Jude snapped.
"Darius, of course. I just hope your baby doesn't turn out anything like you. Otherwise we'd be stuck with stupid ballads about sadness, betrayal, and constant whining about how bad life can be. Oh wait, you've got that covered." Eden smirked, then turned around. Jude made a choking sign with her hands, and I pulled them down before she could reach around Eden's neck.
"Jude, don't even think about it," I said, although I knew she was. Jude had already turned and gotten a huge slice of cake.
"Hey Eden," Jude said. Eden turned around, and Jude took her cake and smashed it into her face.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Eden shrieked.
"That's for tripping my sister," Jude paused, "and this is for being such a bitch." She wiped the cake off her face and spread it all over Eden's clothes.
"Darius!" wailed Eden. "Look what Jude just did!"
"Aww, poor baby," Jude mocked. She stopped when she saw Darius turn around and look at Eden.
Jude held her breath, then let it out quickly when Darius started laughing at her.
"Darius, don't just stand there. DO SOMETHING!" Eden commanded. But Darius roared with laughter, not being able to get over the fact that Eden had tried to wipe the cake off, and, in the process, had gotten plenty of it in her hair.
"Oh wait, you forgot the cherry on top," Sadie replied cattily, as she put some whipped cream and a cherry on top of Eden's head. Eden shot her a dirty look, and Sadie looked smug with herself.
"You're gonna pay for that, both of you," Eden vowed.
"Or what?" Kwest walked up, and put his arm around Sadie protectively. I did the same with Jude.
Eden let out a huge screech, then stalked off angrily.
"Don't worry about Eden, she just craves attention," Kwest said matter-of-factly. He was very observant of people and how they acted, and he tended to watch people more than talk to them.
"Yeah, we can handle her. It's her against the four of us." I said, bringing a smile to Jude and Sadie.
"Come on, it's time to get back to work." Jude groaned in exasperation as I pulled her back to the studio. Kwest followed, but only after he'd given Sadie a huge kiss.
Once we got there, Jude slipped on her headphones, Kwest and I assumed our seats at the soundboard, and Jude gave another nearly flawless recording session. Man, I love that girl. She's going to be a great mom. I can just feel it.
AN: So, what'd you think? Good? Bad? Love it? Hate it? I really want to know, so TELL ME! Please! And you can do that by reviewing, so REVIEW! Please and thank you!