Hey everyone I am trying to get everything in this story just the way I like it. Stick with me and please comment. It helps knowing what you have to say about all the choices I have made so far. B
Chapter 20
Jude took a deep breath and looked at the things Tommy had presented to her. He held a pen and a piece of paper she knew was the form Jessie had told her she would need to sign on her birthday. In her own hands Tommy had placed a velvet box that could hold only one thing. Jude's mind was racing. She looked to Tommy for comfort and hoped that he would help her decode what was going on. When her eyes met his Tommy could sense her confusion. For some reason seeing her eyes swim with wonder and confusion made him want to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to his bedroom. No matter what happened he knew he and Jude would always have these kind of sparks. It was the emotional sparks he was hoping would help her make her decision tonight though.
'This is the document Jessie said you would need to sign." He said pushing it towards her. She waited for an explanation for the box but none came. Finally she reached out and opened the lid. She had always thought women were silly for being so attracted and effected by jewelry, but the ring that sat in the velvet box in her hand took her breath away. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes as she stared at the ring.
"That" Tommy said from behind her pulling her a little more comfortably into his lap, "is your option."
"Tommy, we can't… is this…?" She looked to him finally hoping she could hold onto control of her emotions. Tommy took the paper work out of her hands and flipped to the second page, then he began to read.
"At the age of eighteen every person protected by the WPP must agree to refrain from any relationship with agents and other WPP persons that may be in the same unit. The only exceptions to the above mentioned rule are as follows: 1. If the persons entering the WPP are already or have previously been married. 2. If the persons in the WPP have gotten engaged before entering the WPP. 3. If the persons in the WPP get engaged before the 18th birthday of one of the persons in the relationship." Tommy took a deep breath and tried not to look at Jude. He heard her sigh and felt her eyes on him. Shyly he lowered the paper and met her stare.
"Are you proposing to me Tommy?" She asked dryly. He was a little taken aback by her tone and he swallowed hard before he answered.
"I need you Jude, I need you and I think you need me. I… I couldn't live in the same house with you and not have the option of having you in my arms. I know you are young Jude, and when I am with you I feel so young. This is such a bid decision and I hate that you have to make a decision tonight, but I needed you to have this option. The WPP will obviously have to qualify this as an engagement but if it makes you more comfortable I am happy to consider this as a promise ring. I promise to you that I won't hurt you, at least not intentionally and I am going to try every minute of my life to keep you with me." By this point in his speech Jude was looking down at the ground. He lifted her chin with his hand and saw the tears in her eyes. "What else can I do for you Jude?" He asked sincerely.
"I am so confused Tommy. Here we are in this cocoon, it feels so safe being with you but what about the rest of the world? What about when we come out of hiding if we ever can? What do I say to Dean who still thinks I am with him? What do I say to my dad, Sadie, Jamie? I love you Tommy I really honestly do, but I know that if you ever hurt me again I will be done. I don't think I could live without you…" She paused realizing she had just answered her own questions. "I can't live without you Quincy." She picked the ring up out of the box and placed it in his hand. "I want to make a promise to you too. I am going to try my hardest to be everything you need me to be. I promise I will not hurt you intentionally unless you leave me or hurt me again. I still have a lot of growing up to do. I am not ready to marry you yet Tommy, but I can promise you that I love and I always will and hopefully that is enough for now." Tommy brushed the tears out of both of their eyes and laid his forehead on hers.
"Promise accepted." He said leaning in to kiss her.
Later that night Jude and Tommy sat in the kitchen signing all the engagement paperwork the WPP required. Jessie sat on the other side of the table beaming at them, she felt like such a proud parent. She jumped a little when her cell phone rang and she excused herself to take the call. "Agent Bell" She answered when she had made it out into the hall. "Agent Bell I need you to evacuate Mr. Quincy and Ms. Harrison. The FBI has just informed us that three members of the Italian mob have gained access to your whereabouts. Be prepared Agent Bell this could get very messy very fast."