Emotionless

Chapter Seventeen

Sorry for the short chapter!!

Jude took Tommy's hand in hers and gave him a smile, "Are you nervous?"

Tommy turned toward her; they were sitting in the car in Jude's driveway. "Would you call me a total dork if I was?"

Jude laughed and shook her head, "No, I would call you adorable."

She leaned in and kissed his lips softly. When they pulled away Tommy licked his lips, "Mmm, in that case, I feel butterflies in my stomach too." Jude laughed and leaned in to kiss him again. This time lingering a little longer. "Alright, c'mon we should get in there."

Tommy nodded, agreeing with her, and opened the door. Jude walked around the car and met him in the front; she grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about it."

Tommy nodded and they walked into the house. Vincent and Madison were running around, they had brown paper bags on their heads and bath towels tied around their necks. Vincent had a paper towel roll in his hand and he was chasing Madison, "I will turn you into a frog!!" He waved the paper towel roll and Madison squatted onto the floor, and made a 'ribbet' noise.

Jude laughed, "Hello kiddies!" They both turned around and Vincent smiled, running into her arms. Madison hopped over to her and looked up. Vincent rolled his eyes and waved the paper towel roll again, "I turn you back into Madison." Madison smiled and stood up, "Mommy!!" She yelled, jumping into her arms also.

Jude gave Tommy a smile and Vincent eyed him suspiciously. Jude walked into the living room and smiled at Kwest, "Thanks for watching them again." Kwest smiled, his smile grew when he saw Tommy walk in. "Hey man."

"Hey." Tommy responded, bumping knuckles with him. Kwest walked over and gave Jude a kiss on the cheek. "Michael took Annabel to the game so she could see all her old friends again, the kids already had lunch." Jude kissed Kwest's cheek, "You are such a lifesaver."

Kwest smiled, "I know. Bye guys." Kwest waved as he exited the house, got in his car, and headed home.

Jude sat the kids on the couch and got comfortable. "Kids, there's something important I need to talk to you about."

Tommy stood awkwardly, shoving his hands in his pocket. Vincent turned to Jude, "Mommy, who is this? Is he your boyfriend?"

Jude was taken aback by your question, "N--"

"Yes, yes I am." Tommy interrupted. Jude looked at Tommy and smiled. "But he isn't just my boyfriend. He is someone very special to you guys."

Madison looked up at Tommy, "You look familiar but I can't put my finger on it." Madison said patting her lips with her index finger. Jude laughed and ruffled her little girl's hair. "Madison, maybe he looks familiar because you look like him."

Madison's face brightened and she pointed at Tommy, "I knew it!!" Tommy smiled. Jude patted both her kids on the head, "Guys, meet your daddy."

Tommy squatted on the floor and opened his arms; Madison rushed toward him and hugged him close. Tommy wrapped his big arms around her little body, "My little girl…" He said into her hair.

"Daddy, where have you been?! I got so big while you were gone!" Madison said stepping away from him and spinning.

Tommy laughed and pulled her close again, trying to hide the tears in his eyes. When they pulled away Tommy turned to Vincent but he looked terrified.

"Daddy, whatever I did I'm sorry…" He whispered. Jude turned to her son but before she could say anything he climbed into her lap and wrapped his little arms around her tightly. "Mommy!" He cried.

Jude held him close and looked at Tommy with her eyebrows raised, surprised by this out burst. Tommy covered his face with confusion but Jude could see the hurt in his features.

"Vincent, what's wrong?" She asked, running her hand through his hair, making sure he looked up at her. "Tell me what's going on."

"Sammy's dad hits him, I was happy without a daddy. I just need a mommy."

Jude wiped tears from her eyes, "Vincent, honey, not every daddy is bad. Look at grandpa, he's my daddy and he never once hit me. He loves me, and your daddy loves you."

Vincent turned to Tommy; Tommy nodded, assuring that what Jude said was true. Vincent gently slipped out of Jude's embrace and worked his way toward Tommy. When Vincent was right in front of him Tommy spoke, "You know, I think I'm a pretty good dad. When Michael was just about your age, we had some great times."

Jude smiled and nodded when Vincent turned to her. "Remember all those baby pictures of Michael and how happy he looked, Daddy made him very happy."

Vincent smiled and turned to Tommy, "So you won't hit me like Sammy's dad did?"

Timmy let a few tears fall from his own eyes and he shook his head, "Of course not baby boy. I love you." Tommy quickly scooped up Vincent and hugged him close. Vincent giggled and wrapped his chubby little arms around his father's neck.

Annabel turned away from her old friends and walked over to Michael again, "Michael, I need to know that you forgive me."

Michael nodded; he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and smiled, "Of course. Look, I've moved past this. It's okay, we're okay."

Annabel smiled and leaned up to kiss him but Michael turned his head, "But not like that Annabel. Not again."

Annabel nodded sadly and turned back to her other friends.

Michael felt someone poke at his sides and he turned around to see Ava's smiling face.

"I saw you turn her away, I'm proud of you boy."

Michael smirked, "Why would you want me to turn her away?"

Ava blushed a little, "She's not good for you…" Her voice had dropped down to a low, intimate whisper.

Michael leaned in closer, "Well, do you happen to know anyone that is good for me?"

Ava let her smile fall off her face. She looked at Michael and took a deep breath, "All the jokes aside, I love you Michael."

Michael smiled, "I care about you so much." Michael said with a smile, but Ava's fell off her face and she turned away.

Michael hooked a finger under her chin and turned her face toward him, "I care about you, I adore you, and I. Love. You." He said slowly.

Ava smiled and leaned in to kiss him. Michael immediately responded.

People started to cheer all around them. Ava pulled away and looked around. "Our team won." She said, referring to the school football game.

Ava smiled and pulled him closer, kissing him again.

After a few minutes of kissing they both pulled away and looked around. People were swarming everywhere, trying to get to their cars and get home already.

A few team members waved Ava over and she reluctantly left Michael to talk to them.

Michael smirked when he saw her giggling and laughing with her friends, most likely about him because she kept pointing at him and blushing.

Michael felt someone gently touch his arm so he turned around and saw Annabel.

"I know there are better opportunities in California, but I think I'm going to stick around for awhile."