AN: Thank you all for reading! You guys rock!
Special ANs: Thanks to the following reviewers:
scott4eva, thanks for reviewing all the time. You rock! And btw, that's a great idea. I'll have to look into killing Eden off (lol)!
Ally, because I'm cruel and I love cliffhangers! Especially when they're mine (lol)!
Shannon, there's an idea. Maybe one of these days I'll write about why Eden's so mean and nasty.
Cecapo3610, I was actually undecided about what to do with the baby and Jude's condition. So, I decided just to write and see what happened.
And to everyone else who's reading, I just wanted to thank you so much for sticking with it this far. You guys are the best! blasts Instant Star music and driving my parents crazy ;o)!
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 26: Wishing and Waiting
Minutes passed, and finally the ambulance got there. I'd tried to make Jude stop bleeding by pressing a cloth to her, but by the time the EMTs came, she'd lost a lot of blood.
"Sir, would you like to ride to the hospital with us?" one of the EMTs asked, as he and the other EMT put Jude on a stretcher and moved her up to the back of the ambulance.
I nodded numbly, as Sadie and Kwest came over.
"My sister-" Sadie cried, as Kwest tried to comfort her. The EMT looked over at the other one, who shrugged and moved over to make room for them.
The siren began blaring even before the doors were securely shut, and the ambulance sped off down the road.
I paid no attention to the driver talking over the radio. I held Jude's hand tightly, willing her to be OK. She just had to be. I'd never told her how I really felt until that very moment, when I thought I could lose her forever.
Sadie held Jude's other hand, and was crying uncontrollably, clutching it as if her life depended on it. Kwest looked grim, and rubbed Sadie's back as if to say, I'm here for you too, Jude.
We got to the nearest hospital minutes later, and were immediately rushed to the ER. The doctors wouldn't let Kwest or me go in, but Sadie was given a hospital gown and led into the room where Jude would be revived.
About half an hour later, the doctor came out. He looked weary and had blood on his robe, but other than that looked surprisingly calm.
Kwest and I jumped up, as Sadie came outside.
"Jude's gonna be just fine," the doctor said, smiling. "But she'll need a lot of rest over the next few days."
"And the baby?" Kwest asked, before I could bring it up. I looked over at him gratefully.
"Is just fine. Should be coming in about 2 months as planned." The doctor nodded and smiled again "You can all see her in the recovery room if you'd like," he said, before disappearing behind the set of doors separating the waiting room and the room Jude was in.
Kwest and I got up and followed Sadie inside.
When we got to Jude's room, Sadie was already there, talking to Jude and trying to stop crying, although this time, it was tears of relief.
"Don't you ever do that again," Sadie scolded, as Jude nodded seriously.
"Sadie, don't worry. I don't ever want to go through that again." Jude promised. Then her gaze fell on Kwest and me standing in the doorway.
"Kwest, thanks," Jude said, silently thanking Kwest for being there at her time of need.
Kwest looked down, embarrassed by Jude's appreciativeness.
"Guys, would you please excuse us?" Jude said, looking at me pointedly.
"Sure," Kwest said, glad to have an excuse to leave. "Sadie?"
"Fine," Sadie said, brushing away a tear. She leaned over and hugged Jude. "If you need anything, I'll be there ASAP, OK?"
"'K," Jude said, hugging Sadie back. She waited until Kwest and Sadie had left.
"Jude," I breathed, as I walked over and closed the distance between us within a matter of moments. I took her into my arms and held her close.
"I was so scared," I said, finally breaking down, and letting my emotions take over.
"Of what?" Jude said, trying to comfort me.
"Of losing you," I said, tears now falling from my eyes.
"Shh," Jude said, wrapping her arms around me even tighter. "It's going to take a lot more than that to keep me away from you." She stroked my back as I wept openly, and brushed my tears away with her hand.
I couldn't believe it. Here was this young woman, who, when I first met her, was this young, inexperienced girl trying to make it in a world of savvy, cruel record execs who were used to rejecting new artists left and right without so much as a blink of an eye. Since then, she'd become this beautiful young woman, whose persistence and courage made her into what millions of fans had been waiting for. What I'd been waiting for. The kind of woman who stole the spotlight, even if it was already hers to begin with. The kind of woman who never gave up, who never stopped trying. Not on life, music, love, anything.
Finally, I stopped crying, and looked at her. "Jude, I love you so much," I said, making sure she knew just how much I loved her.
"I love you too, Tommy," she said, as she moved closer and kissed me.
We kissed intensely, neither of us holding back what we felt for one another. Then I broke away as a thought popped into my head.
"Jude, as much as I hate to spring this on you, we're gonna have to move out." I said, in all sincerity.
"What? Why?" Jude looked puzzled.
"I think we've more than imposed on Kwest and Sadie, and besides, do you really want SME looking after our child?" I asked.
"You're right," Jude said, after a moment's pause. "I wouldn't want Tommy Jr. to grow up into a Speed, Kyle, or Wally." She laughed lightly, then her laughter faded away.
"So we're moving out. Where to?" Jude looked worried.
"I was thinking in with my family. You could get to know them, and they can help with the baby when we have to work." I suggested. I actually thought about this for a while now, and thought it would be a good idea.
"But then we'd be imposing on your family," Jude pointed out.
My POV: Good point. Damn, she's beautiful and smart. No wonder she's perfect for you.
"They don't mind. Anyways, you haven't gotten to know them that much, and I'd like to spend more time with them, remember?" I gave her my classic little Tommy Q face, the one I knew she couldn't resist.
Jude looked doubtful, but then she caved like a cake in an oven after the door slams. "OK, we'll try it out for a little while, and see how it goes."
"Thank you," I said, hugging her. "You don't know how much this means to me."
Jude smirked, but hugged me back anyway.
Jude's POV: If Tommy's family is anything like Tommy, I'm sure I'll love them. How bad could they possibly be?
AN: Review if you want to. I won't hold it against you if you don't.