Hazy Shade Of Winter
Chapter Two: Christmas Past, Part 1 (Six Years Earlier)
Author's Note: First, I want to thank everyone who read this and helped get this story off to such a great start! I can't believe how many people read it, so fast. Special thanks to the review crew: Tanya, Rachel, missscarletbelle, jude-and-tommy-4eva-summer-bay, samitiny, and judetomfan101, as well as my "live ones", M, R & V who let me know I was on to a good thing here...
Oh- since the show now has webisodes and mobisodes- I've decided to call the short chapters of this story- "ficasodes"! (yeah, I'm really tired and silly today!).
Chapter Two: Christmas Past, Part 1 (Six Years Earlier)
"Time, time, time..."
"See what's become of me."
"While I looked around for my possibilities..."
"I was so hard to please..."
Tom Quincy leaned back against his leather couch. His head tilted thoughtfully, as he carefully considered the words written down in the brown leather journal in his hand. As G- Major's newly minted executive producer, he supervised all the music created by the growing and diverse range of artists and staff working at the label. He prided himself on being supportive of their efforts, but uncompromising in his demands for quality. Only the best would do.
This song clearly was it.
Diligently, he made some notes on the large pad in front of him, indicating exactly the few changes that it needed. He would discuss them with the producer at the studio tomorrow.
He would discuss them with the artist at their home that night.
An alarm buzzed in the kitchen. Rising, he walked into that room and opened the oven. He stared with satisfaction at the aromatic contents, bubbling away in the pan. After checking it carefully, he turned off the stove, pleased with himself. Activity at the studio always slowed during December. This year, he chose to take advantage of the lull by working at home and enjoying the calmer, quieter atmosphere. Tonight, he also planned to surprise his girlfriend with a romantic dinner.
"If she ever gets here..." he thought, impatient as always when it came to seeing her.
Tommy knew Jude was rehearsing with her band that afternoon and that they could easily get lost in their music for hours. He understood that, but still wished she'd come home.
To fill the time, he returned to his own work, moving on to the next song. This one featured a newer artist and required far more work. He focused intently on his task. So strong was his concentration that it remained unbroken until he heard a loud crash in the hallway.
"Dude! Will you watch out!" a frustrated male voice screamed.
"Hey, if you were lifting up your end, I wouldn't have dropped mine!" Jamie Andrews replied, logically.
"Guys, come on!" Jude reasoned with them.
"Try not to destroy my tree!"
"As you wish, princess!" Speed answered, lifting it up again.
Tommy put down his work to listen to their antics as they continued noisily down the hall. He heard keys jingling as Jude struggled to unlock the front door, while juggling several packages in her hands. Finally, she managed to open it and directed Jamie and Speed inside.
"Just bring it into the living room, ok... Oh!" she cried out.
"Surprise!" Tommy grinned smugly.
"That's just what I was trying to do..." Jude smiled back at him, and indicated the large blue spruce that their two friends still struggled with.
"I am surprised." he replied softly.
The couple remained silent for several long minutes, happily lost in their love and each other.
"Hello! Men with heavy object here!" an annoyed Speed finally interrupted.
"Oh... sorry..."
"Jude? Where do you want it?" Jamie asked.
"Right there... in the corner by the fireplace." she told him.
"Great!" he replied.
Quickly, Jamie and Speed lugged the tree over to the designated spot and set it down.
"It's just perfect! Thanks!" Jude said, hugging each of them.
"Glad to hear it! That thing was heavy!" Speed moaned dramatically, rubbing his arms.
"You couldn't have maybe picked a smaller one?" Jamie asked yet again.
"I liked this one the best! And I knew you two big, strong men could handle it!" Jude teased them.
"Stop it before I hurl!" Tommy insisted. But he was still smiling.
"Please! You're just jealous of our manly charms!" Speed baited him.
"Dude! Whatever!" Tommy replied. He had grown used to Jude's guitarist's dramatics on their last tour and actually enjoyed them now.
"Anyway... you'll need a really large tree for all the stuff she bought." Jamie told him, indicating the boxes and bags still in her arms, which Jude now put down next to the tree.
"Decorations!" she told Tommy proudly. "Lights... ornaments... candles. Everything..."
"So much..." he replied.
"Actually... there's two more bags downstairs in the car..."
Tommy shook his head, as Jude sweetly kissed his cheek.
"Don't worry! You'll love it!" she promised.
" I already do. I love you."
"Anyway... Jude, we gotta get going." Jamie said, easily picking up on the growing excitement between her and Tommy.
"Sure?" she asked.
"I don't know..." Speed began.
"What's that I smell?"
"Chicken cacciatore." Tommy told him.
"Dude! You can make that?" Speed asked, clearly impressed.
"Yes, I can. But just for two."
"No worries, dude!" the guitarist laughed. "Me and Jamester have places to be."
"Yeah." Jamie confirmed.
"Patsy hates it when I'm late."
"And I've got someone special waiting for me, too..." Speed said mysteriously.
"Who?"
"A very important lady..."
"Mom!" Jamie coughed, making Jude and Tommy laugh.
"Anyway... Later, lovebirds!" Speed called out cheerfully, as he and Jamie left the apartment.
"Alone at last..." Tommy murmured, drawing Jude close to him and kissing her. Her arms wrapped around him as she returned his passion.
"You made us dinner..." she whispered between kisses, as incredible, tantalizing smells wafted into the room.
"If I'd known about that... I'd have come home sooner..."
Tommy just smiled lovingly at her, as she continued.
"I can't think of a better night... First, we eat. Then, we decorate this tree..."
"And then..."
"I'm sure we'll... think of something..."