Ok this is the climax chapter…..so may love me, some may hate me….but here it goes…also thoughts are in italics and the translations for French are in italics, for those who are un cool and don't speak French!

Koli

Cora and Jude sat at the table on the porch watching Tommy load hay for the stables. After two days everything seemed to be going well. Tommy looked up and waved at the two most important women in his life. Jude smiled and waved back and sipped her coffee.

" He really loves you, ya know."

Jude choked on her coffee not so subtly and attempted to breathe.

" Excuse me?"

" He truly loves you."

Jude heartbeat quicken as she tried to find a way to reply to such a statement.

" Well, I would hope so since we're getting married."

Cora just nodded her head as she looked out over the horizon. The sun was making its way up slowly and the air smelled of hazelnut and fresh pine.

" We've been through a lot, Tommy and I. We've been hurt and forgiveness doesn't come easy because of it. Take care of my son; He and Kevin are all I have left. Don't break his heart."

Cora set her cup on the table and walked towards Tommy. Jude leaned back in her chair and breathed deeply.

" I can't do this anymore. Not to her. Cora's amazing. I have to tell Tommy tonight."

She got up and walked into the kitchen. She rinsed out her cup and placed it in the sink. She walked over to the glass window and saw Tommy and Cora talk. Tommy stormed off angrily and headed in her direction, Cora following close behind him. Jude ran to the stairs and sat down just as they entered. The sound of the glass door slamming let her know they were in the next room.

" Je ne suis pas stupide, Tommy. Je sius qeu'elle est ta secrataire, pas femme. J'en ai assez de tes mensongez. Dis-moi est-ce que tu pretends, ou est-ce tu l'aime beaucoup."

I'm not stupid, Tommy. I know she's your secretary, not your wife. I'm sick of you lying to me. So tell me, are you really pretending or do you love he?

" Yes, ok, I love her. She's…amazing. Unlike any woman I have met. Her outlook on life is so refreshing. She doesn't look at me and see some playboy jerk off. She sees a human being. She loves like no other and she knows how fragile like can be. I haven't even had sex with her. Me of all people, mom. You have any idea how miraculous that is. I haven't been with anyone in five months, and you know why? Because I want to wait for her. I'm trying to be change for her. She makes me want to different, better. "

Jude felt her cheeks wettin' and ran up the stairs trying to get away from them. When she entered the room she grabbed her suitcase and began to pack frantically. Tommy thrashed the door open absolutely livid. He could even think straight he was so angry.

Don't corrupt her Tommy. She's a beautiful and doesn't need another heart break. She thinks she's too good for me. Her own son. She thinks I'm trying to ruin her. I love her, why can't she see that?

All the anger that was apparent on his face melted away at the sight of Jude's tears.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

" Tommy, I, uh, need to leave. I can't stay here."

Jude closed the suitcase and turned to grab the rest of her things. Tommy took her arm and pulled her into a warm hug, attempting to stop the tears. To watch her cry was worse than death.

" Hey, why the tears?"

Jude wrapped her arms around his torso and placed her cheek to his chest, listening to his heart beat. The rhythmic sound of life filled her ear, soothing her. Life. Death. The two things that separated her and Andrew. Tommy's soft steady breath moved against her, and she began to cry again. He pulled away slightly and looked down at her.

" Talk to me."

" I can't do this to him or Cora any more. I'm sorry."

" Can't do what to who?"

" This," Jude stated, spreading her arms out while motioning around her, " I can't do this to Andrew."

Tommy sighed and placed his hands in his pockets and swayed slightly.

" What exactly is this?" he questioned looking her deep in the eyes.

" You know."

" I don't."

" I heard what you said."

Tommy looked around nervously. " All of it?"

" Every word."

" It's true."

" What's true?"

" What you heard. I meant it. I am in love with you. So completely that I'm trying to be a better man for you. I stopped drinking, no more random women at bars. Once I tasted your kiss that was it for me. I only want you. One simple kiss had kept me from every other women, inspired me and caused me to feel, love, something completely different from anything I've had. "

Jude's lip tremble as tears formed.

" No Tommy, we can't. What about the press. What about Andrew?" When she said his name the floodgates opened and tears trickled down her face and dripped onto her shirt.

" Who cares what the press thing. And as for Andrew. He's dead, and I know you loved him, but you have a man of flesh and blood standing before you, pouring out his heart." Tommy placed a hand over his heart.

" I love you Jude Harrison, so much it hurts."

" I can't do this right now. I need to go. I'm sorry Tommy."

Jude took her things and left the room. Tommy made no attempt to stop her and with a heavy heart he watched her go. She needed time and for her he would wait a lifetime.

Oh I know y'all are so lovin this chapter. Yes so tell me in a review. It just gets better from here. Im telling ya. You are so gonna love it.

Koli!!!