Author Notes: Jude might seem a little off in this chapter, so just go with it. I know I promise smut in this chapter but I just could not write it where it did not seem forced, but the next chapter will have some I swear. Made up some Darius Mills family history and some family members since I know nothing about his family.
Pairing: Jude/Tommy; Kwest/Sadie; Mason/Wally; Stuart/Yvette
Summary: Thanksgiving time at the Harrison Home.
Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star or its characters.
Rate: PG-13
Season: 2
Category: Romance/Drama
Spoilers: Up to "The Jean Genie"
*************************
It was Thanksgiving, Jude rolled over on her side to suck in a deep breath as the sun hit her face. Her mother left last night for Montréal, it was getting to where she barely lived here anymore. She had spent almost the entire week with Don. It would not have been bad if this had been a normal week, but this week had not been normal. This week had been a rollercoaster of emotions and bad days. She needed her mother she needed her to tell her that it was going to be okay. She needed her to hold her and remind her that she was loved by her parents. Instead she got lonely nights in their house, well not really lonely. Tommy snuck in almost every night not wanting her to be in this big house all by herself.
Slipping out of her bed she could hear Kwest down stairs. They were determined to have this feast no matter how bad things were they needed to have this day. The only problem was no one was in the mood for celebrating. Not after all the fights, the media, and the emotional stress caused by the events. She needed to shower; a shower would help ease all her frustrations. So she went to the closet, she had to wear something nice; she had to wear a dress. This was an order from Sadie. All people attending were to be dressed nicely; she did not want to see ripped jeans or wrinkled t-shirts. Her eyes went straight for yesterday's newspaper that was still on her desk, well more like the headlines that was in big bold black print.
SME Drummer, Kyle Walsh, Still In Critical Condition
Jude knew the moment they walked into the hospital it was all going to be bad. Hell all Tommy knew was that Kyle's heart had stopped. When they got there the media was already setting up, Darius had the police there. They were ushered into a small room that the hospital set up, but Portia was no where in sight. Wally was sitting on the floor next to Mason, and Spied sat in a chair by Jamie who looked like he was praying. For a moment she didn't know if Spied was awake he was so still then he looked up and she broke.
Spied walked towards her hugging her, this was his band-mate; this was one of his best friends. Tommy took a step back knowing they needed each other, so instead he went over to Darius. Darius look was sober his eyes had been hard and cold. Jude had never seen him look this way but Tommy had. It was the look he got when Tommy told him about Angie; it was the look he got when he came to see him after Portia left him. This was Darius when he was plotting and planning; this was the Darius Mills that Tommy hated to see. This Darius Mills was ruthless and cared about nothing but winning.
"Jude sweetie you up," Sadie asked not coming into the room not knowing if she was alone or not.
"Getting ready to shower," Jude said attempting to have a normal voice. Sadie took that as proof she was alone, so she crept the door opened slowly. "He's not here Sadie, just open the door."
"Just making sure," Sadie smirked coming into the room. Sadie knew there was no way of getting of the pain Jude was feeling, but maybe she could help lesson it for today at least.
"Any word on Kyle's condition," Jude asked seeing Sadie smirk fade to a frown. Sadie looked away getting Jude to nod. "I'll take that as a no."
"Kwest said that Darius told him that Kyle was in pretty bad shape," Sadie tried to console knowing she couldn't do a good job of it. Kyle was fighting for his life. "His heart stopped three times in the first 48 hours…it's just going to take time."
Time, what was time expect the spaces in between now and the next minute. She should have asked about Portia but she refused to leave Kyle's side. Jude walked into the bathroom, Portia felt guilty, she blamed herself. Jude knew it was stupid she did nothing wrong but when it came to guilt the head never out weighed the heart. Tommy still blamed himself for Angie's death, when she was the one who got into the car drunk. Jude turned on the water as she remembering Portia ramblings.
Kyle's dad found him outside Portia apartment some how. Kyle was getting into the car when his dad stormed up toward him. It wouldn't have been so bad if Portia had not been there begging him not to go back home. So instead of going for Kyle he went straight for Portia slapping her so hard she feel to the ground hitting her head. His father went towards Portia again but Kyle interjected, pushing his father away from her. A couple who lived in Portia's apartment building saw the whole ordeal. So while the wife called the police, her husband went down stairs to break up the fight. But it was too late by the time he got to him from the sixth floor they were on. Kyle was unconscious and barely breathing, when the guy was able to get Calvin off of him. He held him down on the ground until the police came.
Portia held Kyle's head in her lap as Calvin kept yelling and screaming obscenities at her and Kyle. Portia had a minor cut on her head but Kyle on the other hand had to be rushed in to surgery. The injuries from that attack and the ones from the past finally caught up with him, he had a punctured lung, broke his right wrist and cracked a rib, plus Portia had something about his knee. Darius had put a hold on all their appearances and performances until further notice. Which sucked because they all were really looking forward to doing the Denim Jackets of Hope benefit, she even knew how she wanted to design her jacket.
As the hot water came down on her skin she hissed the water was a little hot even for her. So she added a little more cold water sighing as the burn sensation ease away. Closing her eyes she allowed the tears to fall, why was this happening to them? Their lives were getting so perfect, they were about to go back in the studio for her second album. Darius wanted to get My Sweet Time out there quick; it had been a fan favorite during their shows. She smiled as she heard the door open then close then lock.
"Sadie's going to think all we do is have sex," Jude joked as her head peeked out the curtains.
"We haven't had sex in over a week," Tommy reminded her giving her a fake pout, sex was the last thing on their minds. First with Kyle being rushed into surgery and not knowing if he was going to live or die. And now they had the Wally situation. "But I do come to you baring good news."
"Kyle," Jude said hopeful wiping the water away from her face. "Did he wake up…Is he going to be okay?"
"From what Darius said Portia could barely move to get the nurses in there," Tommy smiled seeing the spark that had been out of her eyes for the last week or so. "He's still in critical condition, but he tried to talk…Darius said the Doctors say the next 48 hours will tell them a lot."
"This is great," Jude declared getting a smile from Tommy who was also glad. Of course the smile also came from the fact that Jude was standing in front of him wet and naked. "So you going to watch or join me."
"Your dad is down stairs," Tommy told her sadly because he so wanted to get in with her. It had been the longest almost nine days of his life. Even though he had spent almost every night here, sex never came up. He just held her, told her he loved her, and that everything would be fine.
"So," Jude smirked getting him to shake his head in amusement; now this was the feisty passionate girl he fell in love with.
"I've been a bad influence on you Harrison," Tommy told her laughing going for the door. "I told Stuart I would tell you through the door then come back down…so hurry up."
******
Darius Mills stood inside of Mercy Hospital waiting for the doctor to see him. He wanted a full report on Kyle; this report would include any past injuries they could get from looking at Kyle's x-rays. He was working with Child Services to insure that Calvin Walsh not only did not get Kyle back in his custody but he also went away for the abuse. Hurting Kyle was bad enough, that in it self would cause Darius to act. Kyle was one of his artists, and when you worked for Darius Mills you became his family. But Calvin had the nerve to hit his baby sister that crossed a line that Calvin would regret he crossed. Because no one harmed his sister, if it hadn't been for Portia pleads and begging he would have destroyed Tommy after their marriage fell apart.
Darius looked up as Doctor Trevor Jillian Carter's walked in, pretending not to know him and explaining he'd be in to see him in just a moment. It seemed there was a small problem, and he was trying to fix it. Darius knew the problem it was one he had already got taken care of. Trevor Carter did not like Darius they had a very long hard and complicated past together. If it wasn't for the fact that Darius knew the Trevor was one of the best he would have had another doctor flown in. When the door opened Darius looked up at him, seeing the icy glares directed at him. All Darius could think of was, let the game begins.
"Mr. Mills unfortunately I can only disclose the information you request to Mr. Walsh's family or guardian," Trevor said failing at hiding the smirk, only to have Darius return the smirk back as he handed him a folder. "What is this?"
"Documentation that states that as of October 7, 2006 that I Darius Mills have full guardianship of one Kyle Calvin Walsh," Darius explained smiling as Trevor face turned ghost white. "So about those test results."
"How the hell did you get this," Trevor demanded knowing he must have paid someone off, or made a promise to some official.
"I don't think that is any of your business Doctor Carter," Darius said saying his title as if it was venom on his tongue.
"Who did you buy off this time Darius," Trevor asked getting Darius to meet his gaze.
Darius's dream since he was a little boy was to rule the music world. The Mills family had been in the entertainment world for decades. His father, Mathias Mills, was one of the best producers; his mother, Melody, was a singer until she settled down to have a family. His eldest brother, Maddox Mills, had gone on to be an actor and was now an award winning direction in Hollywood. Maddox was Shay's father, and he had not liked the idea of his son becoming a musician. But he finally caved after Boyz Attack fell apart, and there was little Maddox could do when Shay hit the top.
Why did Trevor hate Darius Mills, he had grown up with him that was why. His mother, Jewel Carter, was their nanny. When Portia was ten Maddox first child Shelia was born, so Jewel went to work for him. Melody decided Portia didn't need a full time nanny like baby Shelia did. The entire Mills family loved his mother. But growing up inside that house he watched as the Mills family used their money and power to get whatever they wanted. The Mills would always give his mother special gifts, including paying his tuition for college. When Trevor was able he wanted to take him mother away from that life of servitude, but she did not budge. When it came to Millis family Darius was her favorite, in her eyes he could do no wrong. That was why she was now his children's nanny, and Trevor hated him for it.
"Come on D," Trevor hissed again, this time the anger and resentment was clear in his voice. "Who did you buy off this time?"
"As you know I have three children," Darius said softly, getting a glare from Trevor. His children lived in Vancouver with their mother, who was now his ex-wife of three years, and Trevor's mother. "Two of those children happen to be adopted."
"So because you have money they just gave you Kyle," Trevor snapped disbelieving. Money ruled the world; it was one of the first things he learned from the Mills family.
"I'm a registered foster parent," Darius explained it was an old song dance of their. Darius would do something and Trevor would be hateful and try to figure out his selfish motive. "When an emergency comes up or they need a place for a child to stay for just a few days to a week they call me."
"How did you get Kyle Walsh," Trevor repeated this time showing him that he was no longer going to play this game.
"When I requested that Kyle stay with me they accepted my proposal," Darius shrugged telling the truth. This time Darius had not used any of his influences, though he was prepared to. "I know Kyle and he knows me, he trust me and he trust Portia."
"Portia is a kind woman," Trevor said, there was nothing he could say bad about her. Mainly because he had been in love with her his entire life.
"They agreed, a psychologist said it would be best for Kyle's mental health to remain with someone he knew instead of a stranger," Darius explained, the meeting had been boring and he just wanted to know if he got Kyle or not. But some old man had to go on for forty minutes on how Kyle needed special care to recover from the long term affects of the abuse.
"Bet it doesn't hurt that you paid his entire hospital bill either," Trevor offered getting Darius to look up smirking. Darius was not in the mood for this, he should be in Vancouver with his children, but he wasn't. Instead he had to explain to them what happened to Kyle and why he had to delay his visit. Luckily his ex-wife was being unusually kind, and agreed to allow him to see them on Christmas.
"TJ," Darius warned using his childhood nickname, Darius was not here to battle with his childhood rival; especially since he promised Trevor's mother if he saw him he'd be nice. And Darius would not break his promise to her--ever. "I promised Nana to treat you as you should be treated, so stop acting like we're still ten."
"Why do you still call my mother by that stupid name," Trevor groaned, Maddox could not say Nanny so he ended up called her Nana, and the name just got passed on from child to child. Even his children today call her Nana.
"Why do you call Portia Pixie," Darius asked crinkling his nose at the nickname.
The past was a cruel and unforgiving friend if you asked either of them. His mother loved the Mills children as if they were her own children. They looked upon her as if she were a member of their family as well. The people who worked for them knew that as well, she was special. Trevor sighed rubbing his eyes Darius was right, and he hated when Darius was right. Right now they were not child rivals; they were two men doing their jobs. He was the hot shot doctor that was going to save Kyle's life and Darius was his foster father. So Trevor sucked in a deep breath imaging how great it would to just hit Darius then let it out.
Motioning for Darius to sit in the chair in front of his desk Darius nodded as Trevor looked over his documentation again. He wanted to grunt he wanted to yell but he could not. If Darius was going to help save Kyle's life then he would be an adult. Opening Kyle's x-rays Trevor sucked in another deep breath. This was the hard part, he hated dying patients. He hated telling someone they were going to die, he hated when babies died, but just as much he hated child abuse cases. They tore at his heart because the victim's worse injuries were not always on the outside but the inside. Kyle had so many people who loved him, so many who wanted him to survive, but at the same time his results were no comforting right now. Today was the type of day he hated his job.
"Truthfully how Kyle survived this long is beyond me," Trevor admitted looking at Darius who had the classic Mills' stone cold face on.
"Kyle is going to want to know," Darius said before he asked the question that had been on everyone's mind. "Will Kyle be able drum again?"
"That is undecided," Trevor replied softly seeing the pain flash in Darius's eyes, Kyle lived for drumming. "Best case he'll be able to get back to light work in a minimum of five to six weeks."
"What do you mean by light," Darius asked settling back in his chair. Kyle loved to rock, they all did, music was apart of them that was what made Jude and SME so great. You not only saw their love for each other but for the music they played.
"That'll depend on Kyle's progress and what his body can handle," Trevor told him getting Darius to nod. "He'll be put into physical therapy that I'll suggest someone go with him. I'll also want to see him weekly for the first six weeks to watch his progress closely."
"If all doesn't go well," Darius asked wanting to be prepared for the worse.
"Kyle smashed an important part of his wrist, he has multiple rib fractures," Trevor began still wondering how Kyle lived through this all. "His left leg is broken, plus he had minor skull fractures that we were unaware of when he was first brought in."
"Worse case TJ," Darius demanded.
"There is a chance that he might be paralyzed in his right hand," Trevor finally confessed. Trevor stopped giving Darius time let this news hit him, when Darius looked up he began again. "We'll know more as time goes on but right now he has no feeling in his right hand. This is more and likely temporary but you should prepare for the worse."
"What is your opinion," Darius sighed rubbing his eyes, Portia was not going to like this at all. Heck no one was going to like this at all. He knew Jude was on a thin line, and he didn't know how much more she could take.
"Kyle has a lot of people rooting for him and that is good," Trevor told him smiling for the first time. Darius nodded, he didn't care what it took Kyle would survive this. "But right now it is just too soon to tell, he just woke up four hours ago. So give us 48 hours and I'll give you the cold hard truth."
*******
Tommy was sitting in the Harrison living room watching television with Stuart when they both heard foot steps. Kwest was in the kitchen putting together a feast that would go down in Harrison History. While Sadie was setting up the table and everything else as people began to show up. Stuart had never seen the reason for decorations for Thanksgiving, but Sadie didn't care. Right now the place was decorated in browns, orange and dark shades of red; it looked amazing in Sadie's mind. So far only two people had showed up but it was still early. It was barely eleven in the morning, and Sadie had given the time to show up around noon. Fixing the plates she smiled, this was going to be the best dinner of everyone's lives if it killed her.
Jude began to walk down the stairs after she fixed her high heel shoes. Then she went to put on the hoop earring that Sadie had lent her to wear with the dress. Sadie hated Jude's earring mainly because they were all mostly studs, Jude found no reason to buy any others. When she went out for events Portia got everything she wore so there was no need to buy anymore. Putting in the last earring Jude stopped as she looked around the house as she came to the end of the stairs. Sadie had gone a little over board with the decorations but Jude knew it was because everything that had been happening.
Tommy look up and smiled at the vision that walked down the stairs he smiled because she was all his. She wore a beautiful short sleeve red dress that came to her knees. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail that just showed off her heart shaped necklace she always wore. As she was walking down the stairs she was messing with her charm bracelet. It still hit him hard when he saw her, to know that she loved him that he was the one she wanted. He watched her smooth the end of the skirt portion of her dress as she looked up to look at him smiling.
Stuart grinned as Tommy stood up from his place on the couch. He watched Tommy walked in a trance to his youngest daughter who was smiling like an idiot at the sight of him. Tommy like always looked good in anything he put on. Stuart had tried to hate him, despite what he said at their lunch. They had been having a secret relationship for months. And he was not so naïve to think they were not being intimate with one another. But like any father would he played dump, what father actually wanted to admit their baby was having sex. But it was the moments like this that Tommy won him over, the moments when Jude would look at him like he held her entire world. He couldn't hate him, just like he couldn't hate Kwest.
"You look beautiful," Tommy gushed getting her to give him a small blush as she looked down at her feet then back up at him.
"Thank Sadie," Jude groaned as she bent forward to kiss Tommy lightly on the lips. "She picked the dress out."
"People should be arriving in about an hour," Sadie announced walking into the room then stopped. Jude bit back a laugh as she saw Sadie glaring at the TV, then their father. "This is supposes to be a family day, a day of tradition."
"A watching the game is tradition," Stuart smirked at her getting Tommy to nod in agreement.
"It's the pre-show," Sadie argued pointing at it. There was no way she was going to allow them to sit in front of the television all day.
"Don't even try Sadie," Jude sighed watching as Tommy went back to his seat by her father then looking at her. "Besides since the guys want to watch TV then you can come with me to pick up a couple people."
"Pick up," Sadie frowned in confusion she thought everyone already had a ride. She had made sure everyone knew exactly where the dinner was going to be.
"I called Portia to see how Kyle is," Jude explained going for her jacket and then Sadie's. "It seems that Kyle's doctor is making her leave until tomorrow morning. So I told her we'd pick her up so she could wash up before coming to dinner here."
"Okay let me tell Kwest," Sadie chirped almost skipping to the kitchen. It was times like this that reminded her that Sadie was the cheer captain last year.
"How is Kyle doing," Stuart asked finally looking up at his daughter, amazed at how beautifully grown up she looked.
"They have him sedated to help him sleep," Jude said repeating what Portia told her. "The doctors won't say anything until the 48 hours is up, they claim too much could happen before than."
"I just can't believe this is happening," Stuart exclaimed shaking his head as his eyes went back to the TV. "Calvin and I used to chaperone school events together, he always seemed like a decent man, so dedicated to his family."
No one said anything because Jude thought the same thing Calvin had always been so nice. He would come in to the classrooms and talk to the kids, teach them new games. The way Portia spoke, Kyle was not the target of his abuse Kyle's mother Helen was. It was usually emotion and verbal abuse, Kyle told her he rarely hit her. When she left them Calvin snapped, he blamed Kyle so he took his anger out on him. Calvin was obsessed about Helen, had been since the moment they met. By the time she realized what kind of man he was she was pregnant with Kyle. Finally one day she just vanished, Kyle went to school, Calvin went to work and when they came home she was nowhere to be seen. The only thing she left was a note, but all it said was Sorry Kyle.
Walking outside into the cool air Sadie chipper voice brought Jude out of her thought she sighed sadly. There was no way around this she had to do this. It was Thanksgiving it was a time to be thankful for what you had. But it was also a time of forgiving, if Kyle taught her anything it was to let go of the past. As Sadie drove to the hospital she smiled as she saw the children running around. As she saw the families playing together, the grandparents coming over, oh how she missed that. But the family she had now was just as good as the family she had last year. Jude decided to scratch that the family she had now was better because there was no lies between them anymore.
Portia held Kyle's hand as he slept; he looked so frail right now. His right wrist was put into a cast because it was broken, along with his left leg that was also broken. Moving his hair out of the way she knew he would be okay, she knew Kyle. Kyle survived years of this; he was not going to let him win now. His waist was wrapped due to his broken ribs, and they wanted to run test on his skull again. Portia heart swelled up when she found out Trevor would be his doctor. There was no better man than him, Portia had nothing but respect for him and the feeling went both ways. She knew that Trevor would go beyond the call of duty for Kyle.
Portia looked up as the door opened, she smiled as Sadie and Jude walked in. Sadie was wearing a pink skirt with a white button up blouse that curved to her figure. She got up walking towards them welcoming the hug they had waiting for her. After one more look to Kyle she frowned. She didn't want him to be alone; she didn't want him to wake up in darkness by himself. But both Darius and Trevor were kicking her out, she needed to shower and change. They walked in silence to the car; Portia was not in a talking mood. Lucky for her Sadie and Jude understood that, so instead of talking Sadie turned on some music and they drove in silence.
About twenty minutes later Sadie sat on Portia couch as Portia got ready for the dinner tonight. She wanted to know where Jude was going she wanted to know what other person needed picked up. Portia figured it was Wally, for some reason his family and him were not getting along. All Tommy or Jude would say is that it is something personal. Sadie wondered if it had to do with the band, she wondered if his parents were going to try and take him out, but she did not know. She knew that if they did Darius would fight them they signed a contact with Darius and G-Major. Looking up she frowned when she heard a knock at the door.
"Tommy what are you doing her," Sadie asked shocked to see him at the door. She figured it would take a bomb threat to get him to move off the couch.
"Jude told me to pick you guys up," Tommy sighed walking into his ex-wife's apartment. "Don't ask me why she didn't tell me, just that there was some thing she had to do alone."
"What is she up to," Sadie whispered not liking any of this one bit. Looking at Tommy Sadie could not stop the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach.
*****
Wally slipped out of his house unseen or heard of by his family. Not that they would have cared, his family had not been too receptive to the fact that he was gay. He told them several days ago, and it ended up with his little brother calling him not so nice names while his other brother slammed him to the ground. His father could not be in the same with him and his mother just smiled trying to act like everything was okay. It was just too hard for him to be here, especially since his father had decided it was best that for now they keep this quiet.
Walking down the street he sighed as he heard his brothers in the back yard. He could hear his father laughing they were playing basketball with their father watching. Usually he and his dad would play against his brothers and they always won. It pained his heart to know that he was now seen like a plague. Everyone avoided him and if they didn't his brothers would just glare and snicker. Mason told him it took time his family had a hard time dealing with it at first too. Wally hated it though he hated the fact that he felt like s stranger in his own home. Walking down the street some more he sucked in a deep breath, this week had been hell.
The first person he told was Amber he needed to be honest with her. The conversation went well actually, she didn't cry or slap him. She actually laughed at him and said finally. She loved Wally, and she could not let him go but she also knew he wasn't that into her. They hugged and he watched her walk away, then he saw her wipe the tears away. Then he went home, than his hell really began. Jude and Tommy had been there for him, Mason called them when Wally walked up to him bleeding. Wally didn't know what to do, right now he just felt like he had no one.
"Wallace," Mason yelled from his car, Wally looked up smiling as Mason pulled over. "I was coming to see if you were come to Jude's or not."
"You might want to avoid my house," Wally advised getting into Mason's car, looking back to his house down the block.
"It takes time," Mason repeated smiling as he started to turn his car around. "My mom couldn't look at me without crying for six months, and it took her over a year before she could say, my son is gay. Then another year before she could say that to someone besides me."
"Mason," Wally began, as much as he wanted to be with him he just couldn't. He had so much to figure out; he just could not be with anyone right now. Plus he didn't want to flaunt a new relationship in front of Amber's face.
"I know," Mason smiled giving him a small glance. "You want to just be friends right now, I get it."
"You're not mad," Wally asked softly, he didn't want to hurt Mason. Yet at the same time getting with him now would just be bad for them both.
"I'd only be mad if you told me you wanted to date someone else," Mason told him softly.
"I like you Mason, I really do," Wally smiled, okay he more than liked him but this was all too confusing. "I just need to figure out what it means for me to be gay before I can be with someone."
"I get that," Mason told him frowning, he wished he did that. "Like I said I am always here, always."
"That is what Jude said," Wally smiled remembering telling her about him being gay. "She and Tommy took it great, while Spied still hasn't talked to me."
"He will," Mason swore he knew Spied was just shocked. Spied was the kind of person who needed time to process things but he knew Spied would accept him.
Looking out the window Wally wondered how Kyle was going to take it, he hoped he accepted him. Wally knew that was what everyone wanted, to be accepted by those they loved. Jude and Tommy were shocked but recovered quickly; Jude told him she didn't care as long as he was happy. Plus it also explained the looks he had been sharing with Mason. Spied just looked at him, blinked a few times then pretended like he heard nothing before he made an excuse to leave. His family hated him, he could not handle if they hated him too. Spied and Kyle were like his brothers, if they could not accept him Wally didn't know if he could handle that.
Mason saw Tommy getting out of his blue viper as they pulled up to Jude's house. Portia stepped out which Mason took as a good sign, because even he knew Portia had been glued to Kyle's side. Sadie smiled as she saw Mason park his car Tommy smiled when he saw Wally. He and Jude figured that Wally would be coming today. They knew that Wally was having issues with his family about being gay, and Jude issued an always open door policy. It wasn't like her mother was ever home.
Soon all of them walked inside of the Harrison home where Spied Jamie and Patsy were now sitting. To say Sadie was shocked would have been an understatement. She had not expected Patsy to wear a dress and in a small way she wished she had not. The dress went above her knee and was a dark purple color. Patsy had a silver chain around the waist for a belt, with some fish-net stocking and her boots. What Jamie or Jude saw in her was beyond Sadie, but today was about family. And Jamie was family so his girlfriend was family. She had to actually stop herself from throwing up when Patsy settled in Jamie's lap on the couch.
"Hey there Barbie," Patsy greeted giving her a curt wave as she walked in.
"No alcohol is allowed," Sadie said sternly.
"Haven't had any yet today," Patsy swore but Sadie did not believe her. Jamie smirked at Sadie comment as he gave a nod to Wally who he was shocked to see.
"So I hear you are out of the closest," Patsy sighed getting a groan from Jamie and Spied. Patsy looked at Jamie innocently and shrugged. "What?"
"I don't think he wants people to know yet," Jamie whispered looking over at Wally and then to Mason.
"Why not, who cares," Patsy shrugged again looking at them; she titled her heads to the side as if she was looking at a piece of art. "You two actually make a cute goofish looking kind of couple."
"I only told Jamie," Spied swore to Wally who just nodded. "That was because when it sank in what you said I had to tell someone."
"It's okay," Wally sighed seeing Stuart looking at him trying to think of something to say. "Is this going to be a problem?"
"Are you talking to me or your friends," Stuart grinned knowing it was kind of to everyone.
"Is what a problem," Kwest asked coming into the room with Sadie.
"I'm gay, and no I'm not dating Mason," Wally sighed looking at Mason who gave a smile that said, not yet but he will be. "I need time to adjust to being me before I can be with someone."
"My best friend, Robert, is gay Wally," Stuart told him softly before going back to the game. "And he was gay when you people were not gay."
"Wally we're your friends, man," Jamie told him smiling. "As long as you are happy we are happy…sure it's a little of a shock but hey it's who you are."
"What about Darius," Wally asked Portia scared but she just looked at him smiling.
"You have nothing to worry about," Portia told him laughing, than he saw a twinkle in her eyes. This was a look he had not seen since they first came back from tour. "Actually he'll probably jump at it…you know a whole new fan base to conquer."
"So does this mean Amber is single now," Spied asked getting a pillow thrown at him right before Sadie popped him behind the head.
*******
Jude smoothed down the wrinkles of her dress as she looked at the address in her hand. She could hardly believe she was doing this, but the theme for today was forgiveness. So much had happened in the last year that she was not going to let it ruin her life. Getting into the elevator she saw a few people look at her, and she knew they knew who she was. She watched the numbers go up as she played with what people called Tommy's heart. It had become a joke among the people of G-major especially those who knew Tommy for years. Suddenly the door opened, Jude sucked in a deep breath as she stepped off
Apartment 6G, she looked around for it but saw nothing. Turning down the hallway she looked right at it, she could do this she was Jude Harrison. She had gone on stage with no experience and won the first Instant Star. She had won the heart of the man millions of women lusted after; she had gone as the opening act on a major tour and made it about her. She had been publicly humiliated by her cheating boyfriend but stood in front of the camera days later showing everyone she was nobody's fool. She could do this, knocking on the door she looked around as she once again fixed her dress.
"Hello," Jude smiled as the woman opened the door to stare at her shocked. "I'm Jude Harrison…but you probably know that."
"Yes," Yvette mumbled unable to believe she was standing right in front of her. "Please come in Ms. Harrison."
"Come on you're my dad's girlfriend," Jude laughed knowing Yvette was just as nervous as she was. "Call me Jude."
"Is Stuart with you," Yvette asked looking down the hallway.
"I was a horrible daughter," Jude said mocking a fake frown as she walked into her apartment. "I snuck inside my dad's jacket last night got your phone number and address…I was going to come tomorrow but decided today was better."
"You are a lot prettier in person Jude," Yvette smiled she looked like her father, both of them did except for their blond hair.
"I can only imagine the photo my dad has shown you," Jude groaned closing her eyes in horror.
"Actually I'm a fan of your music," Yvette blushed looking down. More than a fan actually she had fallen in love with Jude's voice since the first time she heard her sing. "I even went to see you in concert you were really good for someone who was on their first tour."
"Thank you," Jude blushed herself looking around her apartment until she saw the poster. "A Beatles fan a must for my dad."
"He was so shocked when I made the connection between Sadie and your name," Yvette laughed looking at the poster she had been given years ago by a friend.
Yvette had dreamed of this moment since she and Stuart had began to date again. She almost did not think it was going to happen; Jude had been so strong in her convictions not to meet her. When she wrote that letter of apology to her it was sincere, because she never meant to be the other woman. She looked at Stuart as an equal the guy she had been looking for. She never meant to fall for him, she never meant to love him, and if she could have done it different she didn't know if she could do it again. She hated herself for being that woman, for being the home wrecker.
Jude looked around the apartment some more happy that Yvette was allowing her to. She had pictures from around the world, she wondered if she had traveled to all these places. Or was that why she was travel agent, she wanted to go to all these but could not. There was a picture of her and Stuart, it was recently taken. Then one of them with Sadie and Kwest which was taken at one of the dinner Sadie set up. She turned around to look at Yvette, and she prepared herself for Jude's anger.
"We can't undo the past but we can make it so the past doesn't undo us," Jude sighed coming to stand in front of her. "My dad really cares for you, and I can see you care for him…that you love him."
"Thank you," Yvette smiled letting out a deep breath.
"Today is about family, and if you are going to date my dad that makes you family," Jude told her putting her hands on her hips. "Now before you argue if my dad has told you anything about me it is that I don't ever give up."
"Your mother," Yvette frowned knowing how Victoria Harrison would act when she found out she had been in her house.
"I love my mom but she's not here," Jude told her tearfully, Yvette frowned at the sadness in her eyes. "And even when she is that house is no longer her home, she doesn't want it to be. So I am asking you to come to my home, to have dinner with my family."
"I didn't plan on leaving," Yvette sighed not able to say no to that. Right now she wore a pair of black sweat pants and a lose fitting grey t-shirt. Stuart wasn't coming over until three, so she figured why get all dressed up. "My father is in London on business and he's the only family I got."
"I can wait," Jude said motioning for her to go get ready as she took a seat on her couch.
One hour Jude had been gone for over one hour, and Tommy had been calling her for the past ten minutes. Stuart did not like the feeling that was coursing through him right now. He called it did dad sense, because when they started tingling something was happening. He could not tell what it was but his youngest daughter was up to something. He knew it the moment he saw her come down the stairs. She had the look in her eyes she used to get right before he would walk into one of her pranks or practical jokes.
Kwest had placed plates of food around the dinning room for people to snack on while the main course was cooking. By the looks of it everyone was enjoying the food and the company. Despite the fact she wanted to be at the hospital with Kyle, Portia had sat down to play a card game with Sadie Wally and Mason. Tommy between calls was watching the game on the TV with Stuart Spied Pasty Jamie and when he wasn't in the kitchen Kwest. Stuart actually got a big kick out of Patsy's comments; though he was wondering where his daughter met her.
"We're here," Jude announced in a sing-song voice as she opened the door.
"We who," Sadie sighed not looking up, yet at the same going through everyone they knew. As far as she knew everyone they knew was here, well except for Liam and Darius. Liam was in Paris on business and Darius was at the hospital with Kyle.
"Hello everyone," Yvette greeted getting Stuart to look up shocked, then at his youngest daughter. Jude honestly wanted a camera because the look on her father's face was priceless, it almost matched the one on Tommy's. "I brought green bean casserole and a cherry pie, I hope that is okay."
"I told you they're perfect," Jude chirped taking her coat and giving her a slight push towards her father's direction.
Sadie just looked at Kwest who just looked at her then back at Yvette. They had dreamed about this they were even starting to plot ways to get Jude to meet her, but it looked like they didn't have to. Sadie knew it was loyalty to their mother that was stopping her, Yvette was hard not to like. Unlike Don she actually understood they were part of their father's life. She looked over at her father who right now was unable to speak. He looked almost like he was in a trance, for a moment there it appeared as though he stopped breathing.
Portia had never met the woman but one look at Sadie's expression told her everything. She was looking at Stuart's girlfriend dash the woman who at one time was his mistress. Standing up Portia dusted off her outfit as Mason and Wally followed suit. Much like Pasty Jamie and Spied they were confused by who this mysterious woman was. Tommy looked at Stuart then he looked at his girlfriend or at least the person who looked like his girlfriend. He watched her hang up Yvette's coat then she went for the dishes in her hands.
"I'll take them into the kitchen," Jude told her happily, she was going to treat Yvette like she would any girlfriend of her father's. She had meant what she said she wanted to look onto the future. "Did you want something to drink?"
"Please," Yvette nodded walking towards Stuart unable to believe she was here. She smiled at Sadie who she could tell was happily surprised, Kwest gave her a nod.
"What…how…what," Stuart mumbled unable to actually form full sentences at this moment. This was just too good to be true there was no way this was happening.
"She snuck my address out of your address book, came to my apartment and invited me to dinner," Yvette explained as she watched Jude walk into the kitchen. "She made it clear she was not coming back without me."
"And who are you," Patsy asked looking the woman up and down, knowing that was what everyone was thinking.
"This is Jamie Andrews and his girlfriend Patsy Sewer," Stuart began the introductions. Stuart had gone in detail several times on about the people in this room, so this was more putting faces with names for her. Of course some of them she had seen before. "These are two of Jude's bands-mates, Spied and Wally, that is the lovely Portia Mills and Mason Fox, and this gentleman right here is Jude's boyfriend Tom Quincy."
"Dad she'd have to be dead not to know who Tommy is," Jude smirked handing her a glass of something. "Kwest I put her stuff on the counter I didn't know where you wanted anything."
"That's fine," Kwest shrugged, he'd move things around as he needed to.
"Everyone this is my girlfriend Yvette," Stuart sighed looking at his youngest daughter who was smiling like a three year old Christmas.
"Are you going to let her sit dad," Jude asked seeing that no one had made a move to offer her a chair or seat.
"Right…of course," Stuart laughed getting Jude to shake her head in amazement. Yep now she could really enjoy today.
******
Jude looked around at the night's sky smiling as she walked back inside the house. Yvette had left with her father only moments ago, both wishing her a good night. It was after eleven and both of them had to be back at work tomorrow. Kwest and Sadie left only minutes before Stuart and Yvette did even though Jude offered to let them stay, but the house was crowded. It had been one of their best Thanksgiving to date, as Sadie wanted. There were no fights, everyone talked, ate, watched TV, played some games, and just enjoyed themselves. When it came times to eat everyone said a prayer for Kyle; all of them taking in a moment of silence for him and his fight to recover.
Closing the door she smiled at the sight she saw right now. Jamie and Patsy left about twenty minutes ago, to where she did not know. Spied was asleep on the couch, he had passed out fifteen minutes ago. Wally fell asleep an hour ago on the floor in front of the television, so Sadie grabbed a blanket. For safety reason Jude's dad called Wally's letting them know he was here, and if it was okay if he stayed. Portia started to not feel so well around eight so Jude took her to Sadie's old room that her mother was going to turn into a guest room. Lucky for all it still had her bed in it. Mason left before Kwest and Sadie did, he didn't want Wally's family to pick him up and see him. And Tommy was in the kitchen helping to clean up.
"Hello babe," Jude greeted walking into the kitchen.
"So you gonna explain you getting Yvette," Tommy sighed looking at her, the situation still confused him.
"Truthfully I just want to stop all the secrets," Jude sighed getting him to look at her knowingly. Jude hated secrets and lies, and now there was none between them. "I want my dad to be able to say her name without feeling like he's hurting me, I want to go to Sadie's dinners, and I want my dad to be happy…and she does make him happy."
"You made him happy today," Tommy told her softly, Stuart could not stop smiling the entire day. It wasn't hard to see that Jude gave their dad a great gift today.
"I know," Jude whispered looking down smiling widely. "Now all I have to do is not tell my mom I brought her into the house."
"This was our first thanksgiving together," Tommy smiled walking toward her sighing against her hair as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I think it was a pretty good one," Jude mumbled leaning her head against his chest. She was tired, though it was a tired from a day of fun and enjoyment she was still tired.
"I got you something," Tommy sighed getting Jude to pull back looking at him disbelieving.
"You get gifts on Christmas not Thanksgiving," Jude reminded him as he laughed going to where he put jacket.
"It's not that kind of gift," Tommy said not knowing if she would think he was fool or not.
Tommy motioned for her to sit down sucking in a deep breath. This was a tradition that his mother and father did, his grandparents and both of his older brothers did. They kept a scrap book well two them actually. The first one was of all of the first; the first date, the first of the holidays, the first family meetings, the first of their birthdays together and finally the one year anniversary. Plus various other pictures of them through out the first year together. Then the second album was like the first expect it was the first year as a married couple.
Jude watched him slowly go the bag he brought in then look up making sure no one was watching or awake yet. Jude was so tired all she wanted to do was take off this dress, and if she could get Tommy to get her out of it would be even better. Taking the hair thing she had in her hair she sighed in relief as all the pins came out. Tommy watched her and smiled, sometimes it was a wonder that this was the woman who stole his heart. There were times she seemed much older than sixteen, then other she showed her true age.
Jude opened her eyes looking up at Tommy who was smiling shyly at her. Shy and Tommy Quincy did not come hand in hand, he was anything but shy. Yet here he was acting shy, and she found it so cute. He placed what appeared to be a photo album in front of her and she smiled as she saw the title. Tommy and Jude, on the front was a picture of them. It was one of the recent ones that EJ had them take for some interview in some teen magazine that did a full story on her and SME.
"It's a picture storybook if you will of our first year together," Tommy explained opening the page, showing their first "real" date. That was a few days after her sixteenth birthday horror party when she went over to his place for movies. Tommy took a few pictures of them when they were joking around. "This is sort of a family tradition."
"Oh my goodness," Jude gushed turning the page as she saw their time together play out in front of her. "It's a scrap book…you made this."
"It's not done," Tommy told her watching her look at it amazed. Jude was in awe of the pages, she would never have thought Tommy as someone who would scrap book.
"Why didn't you tell me about this," Jude asked looking at him seeing him get that shy look again. "I didn't want you to laugh at me…Portia thought it was silly, so I never did it."
"I think it's sweet," Jude sighed looking at all the pages then back at him.
"My family does one of the first year of being married too," Tommy explained getting her to look smiling. "My grandmother makes one for the engagement/wedding if anyone else does it she gets mad. I can't tell you how many people actually ask her to help them with theirs."
"It's hard to believe we've been together this long," Jude sighed putting her hands over the pictures of them when she still had her red hair. She laughed when she saw, "Jude's New Hair Style" on the top of one of the pages.
"I just…I wanted to share this with you," Tommy told her softly watching her reaction; he smiled even bigger when he saw it was one he hoped for.
"Thank you," Jude whispered touching his face getting him to smile at her softly. "I didn't think it was possible, but this just made you even sexier."
"I love you," Tommy laughed bring her towards him for a kiss she smiled wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm not staying."
"Why not," Jude pouted. "I need help out of my dress."
"I've been such a bad influence on you," Tommy laughed bending forward to kiss her again.
"How about you come up stairs and influences me some more," Jude smirked against his lips getting him to laugh.
"I can't, not with Portia across the hall," Tommy frowned.
"Shy is such an adorable look for you," Jude laughed seeing the shy bashful look come across his face. He just blushed looking away, god help him he did love this girl.
*******
Perfection; a year ago she had thought her world perfect. She had what she thought was the perfect boyfriend, her best friends were always there, her parents were happy, her sister was well she was Sadie, and her career was actually going somewhere. Then out of no where her life took a turn for the worse. Shay her so called perfect boyfriend was a two timing dog and it seemed her father wasn't much better. Kat was somewhere in New York and wanted nothing to do with her. Sadie eloped and her mother was well she didn't know how to answer that one. So much had changed yet somehow her life now was better then it was a year ago.
She had almost everything she could want. Tommy wasn't the perfect boyfriend, yet for some reason that made him perfect for her. Sadie was happily married to the only guy who actually thought she sang like an angel. Kwest was utterly blind when it came to Sadie, it didn't matter what she wore or how she looked be thought she looked breath taking. Her father despite it infidelity was happy now, happier than he had ever been in years. Yvette was nice; she really seemed like someone Jude could learn to like. Her mother on the other hand was slowly slipping away, Jude was waiting for the moment she woke up and she was gone. Jamie was happy too; Patsy fit him in a way that didn't make sense to anyone not even her. And she had been friends with Jamie practically since the day she was brought home from the hospital. There lives was perfectly imperfect, Jude laughed knowing that made no sense. But it did leave her to wonder what other surprises awaited her.
TBC