CHAPTER 29

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Crystal set the plates on the table, smiling warmly at Jude as he joined them for breakfast.

"Nervous?"
she asked, brushing a hand over his shoulder.

Jude nodded, his gaze reflecting both excitement and apprehension.

"A bit, but having you all here makes it easier,"
he admitted, reaching for Denise's homemade muffins.

Mark raised his coffee mug in a toast. "You've worked hard for this, son. Today's your day."

Denise leaned over, squeezing Jude's hand.
"You've got this. We're all behind you, every step of the way."

In the quiet of his room, Jude paced back and forth, reciting his speech aloud. Crystal leaned against the doorway, watching him with a reassuring smile.

"You've rehearsed enough,"
she teased gently.
"It's perfect."

Jude stopped, turning to face her with a sigh.
"I just want it to be right. This means everything to me."

Crystal stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest.
"And it will be. Your passion will shine through, I promise."

Denise, Crystal, and Mark gathered in Denise's room, surrounded by makeup and excitement. Denise dabbed a bit of blush on Crystal's cheeks, her voice filled with pride.

"Can you believe he's come this far?"

Crystal grinned, catching her mother-in-law's eye in the mirror.

"I always knew he'd make it. He's unstoppable."

Mark chuckled, adjusting his tie.

"That's our boy. He's made us all so proud."

Jude stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie nervously. Crystal approached from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Well hello mr Bellingham"
she murmured, resting her head against his back.

Jude smiled, turning to face her. "Hello mrs Bellingham you look stunning. Thank you for being here with me."

Crystal brushed a stray hair from his forehead. "Mrs Bellingham,I like it."

Jude:"should we go?"

Crystal:"sure, lets check on the other"

Jude:"mom pops you ready"

Mark:"ready!"

Crystal:"Jobes you ready"

Jobe coming all messed up with his tie:
"l need help"

Crystal chuckeled and did his tie in a hurry

Crystal:"done"

Jobe:"your the best"

Crystal:"yeah smthn like that now hurry up and go to the car"

Jobe:"yes mam"

Denise:"how you do that"

Crystal"what denise"

Denise:"hiw you make them listen to you"

Crystal:"ill tell you my secret later but now we need to go"

Jude and Crystal went to their car, while Denise, Mark amd Jobe went with the ther one and drove to the venue.

As they stepped out of the car, cameras flashed around them. Jude squeezed Crystal's hand, offering her a reassuring smile.

"Ready for this?"

Crystal nodded, her gaze fixed on him.

"Absolutely. Let's do this together."

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