AN: Thank you all for reading! You guys rock!
Special ANs: Thanks to my most consistent reviewers:
Ally, I couldn't wait either. OK, I could, but I was trying to make this a good one. Hope you like it!
LostXLife, I thought it was cute and sweet too! What do you think of this chapter?
Biminigirl15, that's an interesting idea. I don't know if I'll do that in this chapter. You'll just have to read it to find out.
Shannon, thanks so much for showing so much interest in my writing! This one's for you!
Camsma, I completely agree. I always wondered what would happen if you took Tommy + Jude's kids and had SME as babysitters. That would be really funny! I briefly considered making that happen, and, well, you'll just have to read it and find out.
scott4eva, thank you! Your comments make me want to keep going, at least for a little bit longer. I know this has nothing to do with the story, but I always wanted to ask you what kind of music McFly and Deacon Blue play. Oh yeah, and thanks for reviewing all the time. You rock!
cecapo3610, thanks for your review. I thought it was cute too. And I'll try and keep this up for as long as I can.
Chloe, I totally agree with what you wrote about Eden. But I'm thinking about making her play a bigger role in Jude's life. She brings enough drama to Jude just by herself. And who really does like her anyway? LOL
Tanya, that's a great idea! I'll definitely work it into the story somehow. Hope you had a great vacation!
And to everyone who's reading this, I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for reading! You all rock! blasting Instant Star music and driving my parents crazy ;o)
Does anyone know if there'll be a Season 4 or 5? I'd love to see if Jude's contract gets renewed, and she gets another 3-year contract with G Major, or if Tommy buys the Chrome Cat, changes it into another studio and signs her, and they live happily ever after.
Disclaimer: (I always forget this part) Of course I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. But I wish I did. Then we wouldn't have to wait another 6 months to see Tommy and Jude hook up (if they even do in Season 3. But I'm thinking they won't for a while…even though I hope I'm wrong.)
Chapter 25: Ambush!
7 months later…
"Tommy, can you get me some cookies?" Jude sat back in her seat and tried to be comfortable, although anyone looking at her would know that her protruding belly made her anything but.
"Sure, Jude," I said, going over to the kitchen and rummaging through the cabinets.
Since the news about her pregnancy had come out, first to Georgia and Darius and all the G Major staff, and later the public, all the attention fell on Jude these days. Shay was even pretty helpful, considering Jude's and his past, and Eden…well, let's just say she was even more ornery than usual. She craved attention, and these days, she had almost no attention except for when one of her released singles was occasionally mentioned. But most of the media's attention was on Jude, and whether she'd be coming back to perform, or whether she'd take a break and raise our child. And if she did choose to take a break, whether she'd eventually come back to write and perform.
I returned with my arms full of cookies and a pitcher of milk and a glass, which I tucked into the crook of my arm.
"Thanks, Tommy," Jude said, her eyes riveted on the cookies. As soon as I set them down, she ripped open the cookies and devoured them hungrily. I quickly poured some milk into her glass, and it wasn't long after she grabbed her glass and slurped it down as fast as she could.
"Easy, girl," I said, moving to pry the glass from her fingers. "You're going to choke."
"Tell that to our child of ours, who happens to be starving. And when it's starving, I'm starving." Jude glared at me. I knew when to back off. Never mess with a woman who's soon to give birth. The bravest man vs. a pregnant woman with violent mood swings and a bottomless appetite on the verge of delivering? I'd put my money on the pregnant woman, guaranteed.
"OK, OK," I held my hands up in surrender. Jude resumed eating and drinking like there was no tomorrow, and I left her in peace.
On the way out, I met Kwest, who was coming in to get a snack for Sadie.
"Kwest, man, don't go in there," I said, grabbing his shirt and stopping him in his tracks.
"Why?" Kwest wondered.
"Jude's in there, and she just cleaned us out on cookies and milk," I informed him.
"Again? That's the fourth time this week, and it's only Tuesday," Kwest complained. "Man, maybe we should switch her to pizzas. That should hold her for a while."
"Don't even go there, man. I'm not gonna have a 500-pound baby, and I'd bet my Viper that Jude wouldn't either." Kwest laughed as he pictured Jude and me trying to feed a massively overweight baby.
I shoved him lightly, and he laughed some more before telling me, "Relax, man, my sister had kids, and I was there for them. I had to take of her when her husband was working. Besides, I know how to keep Jude satisfied." He smiled as he pulled out a secret stash of frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts, Jude's favorite.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," I said, and Kwest shrugged as he walked inside.
Apparently Kwest had experience, because he came out a few minutes later, with chips in hand.
"Did Jude attack you to get your Pop-Tarts?" I asked, laughing as I pictured it happening.
"No, she was a perfect angel," Kwest said. As if on cue, Jude came out, and smiled at Kwest.
"Thanks for everything, Kwest," Jude said. Reaching up, she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then she turned to me, and said, "I'm ready to record anytime you are."
"Who are you, and what have you done with my Jude?" I teased her, putting my hand to her forehead.
Jude feigned her annoyance, and said, "Tommy, it's me. Here, I'll prove it," and she brought my head down to hers and kissed me soundly. Not just any kiss, but a full-on-the-mouth kiss that left you reeling, tongue and all. Kwest looked away, and joked, "Too much PDA, I'm outta here."
At that, Jude turned to him and said, "That's nothing compared to what I saw when I caught you making out with Sadie."
Kwest looked down, avoiding her gaze, and mumbled, "OK, Jude. I take that back. Pop-Tart?"
Jude's eyes lit up and she completely forgot about Kwest's comment. She ripped the Pop-Tart out of his hand, and crammed it into her mouth. Seconds later, it was gone.
Kwest laughed. "I take that as a yes?"
"OK, enough," I said, hating to be the one to spoil the moment. "Our Instant Star needs to write another hit, so let's go do it." I said, taking Jude's hand.
Kwest looked disgusted, but in a mocking way. I rolled my eyes.
"You know what I mean," I said, irritated that I spoke before I thought.
"Whatever, man," Kwest said. "Let's get to work then. I'll be there in a little bit. I want to talk to Sadie first."
"Just hurry up, OK?" I teased. Darius and Georgia had given us a relaxed schedule after Jude got back from tour. They let her write more and even relaxed my schedule as well. Maybe it's because they knew how cranky Jude could be when she was really stressed.
Jude and I walked back to the studio, only to be ambushed by Eden.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Ms. Bad Hair Bad Clothes herself," Eden smirked.
"Eden, excuse us," I said politely, biting back a response. Jude and I tried to step around her, but she blocked Jude purposely. Sadie was right. Eden did like to pick fights with people she thought were beneath her.
"Get out of my way, bitch," Eden said.
Jude got up in her face. "Make me."
I stepped between them, "Jude, maybe we should listen to her-"
But Eden interrupted by shoving Jude to the floor.
"You're not worth it," Eden spat out, as Jude hit the floor. She screamed out in pain, and clutched her stomach. "Tommy!" she cried.
My face drained of color as I realized what was happening. I cradled Jude in my arms, as she lay there, tears streaming down her face. I felt something wet and sticky underneath her, and as I moved her slightly, I saw that blood had begun to seep out from under her, and it wasn't long before she lost consciousness.
Eden gave Jude one last look of contempt, then took off running in the other direction. Moments later, people came running.
"What happened?"
"OMG!"
"JUDE!"
"Someone call 911!"
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!