The Southern Belle

Kennedy Rose. 27 and a veternarian. Looking for love and constantly unable to find it. 

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude chuckled and said, “I don’t know how else to do it!” He pushed his hair further back, out of his eyes, and swam up to Kennedy in the water. “I’m not that guy. I know that’s how some of them flirt, but not me,” he said. “Once - when I was in middle school, I took my little brothers to the pool. Some kid trying to be all badass pushed my littlest brother Josiah in, and he couldn’t swim. I was going to teach him. So I panicked and the lifeguard got him out and now he won’t go in further than waist deep and he’s a teenager now. So - I’ll never push anyone in.” Jude looked around at the ocean, at the beautiful paradise they were staying in. “That sounds too perfect. I’d never get any work done.” Kennedy’s compliments were sweet and made Jude smile brightly. “Me? You’re the better half between the two of us. Your hair, your smile…” he leaned in for a soft kiss. “But thank you.”

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy shook her head, “That’s horrible, poor guy.. I can’t imagine how that screwed him up. Well I mean I can because you just told me, but still. That’s awful.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, “Nah, you’re pretty great.” She kissed him gently, pulling back after a few moments, “I love you.” She said quietly before going to kiss him again. There was just something about this place that was so romantic, so perfect, and there were no cameras and it was just the two of them, her saying ‘I love you’ felt more genuine to her when there weren’t cameras around. Not that it wasn’t before, but now it was just clear that she genuinely meant it, it wasn’t just for the cameras. She knew that Jude technically couldn’t say that he loved her back so, she decided to cut the tension and get him out of the awkward situation - if it was awkward for him - by splashing him gently and giggling

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Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude laughed and said, “Okay, I’ll try to remember that. At least I know what wines most people are supposed to like… I’ll know what to get them as gifts.” He knew it was stupid to talk in such absolutes but it was true - at least he could pick a good wine as a gift. With a big grin on his face, Jude jumped on Kennedy’s count, holding his breath as they plunged underwater. When he resurfaced, he whipped his head back, his wet hair splashing everywhere. He knew he probably looked like baby Tarzan, but that was fine with him.

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy popped up and pushed her hair back, resembling something of Ariel as she treaded water. She looked over at Jude and shielded her face as he whipped his hair around, “Oh my god you’re like a wet dog!” She giggled before moving her hands from her face, “Thanks for sticking to your word and not pushing me in.” She said with a wink and she swam over to the edge of the pool that looked over the island, “Can you imagine actually living here? Like waking up every day and this is what you see?” Kennedy turned and leaned against the edge so she was facing Jude. She studied him for a moment, quietly taking everything in. His wet hair, his goofy smile, his eyes, just everything about him and the moment, “God you’re so attractive..” she said quietly with a little smile, “I don’t tell you that enough do I? You are.”

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Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude smiled. “I cried because I was a teenager in way over my head. I had no idea how to deal with babies. I’d never even held one before Bee,” he explained. He smiled at the thought of Kennedy’s big, tough, very intimidating father holding a little pageant girl - it was amusing to think about. The entire setting they were in made things feel even more romantic than they had inside, and the view was absolutely spectacular.

“I like champagne, yeah. But wine… blech. Gross.” He laughed and said, “I know… weird, since champagne is technically a type of wine. But honestly… I think it’s the bubbles that help.” Jude looked at her and added, “I’m probably the only French chef who doesn’t like wine, too. But don’t tell.” Jude looked mock affronted that she’d question his integrity. “Are you kidding? I want to jump in and see how big of a splash we can make together!” he said, tugging at her hand. “Now come on! On the count of three, okay?”

[kennedyxrose]

“Oo don’t let my mom hear you say that, wine is a big deal in our house.” She joked, not really meaning it. No one cared if he liked wine or not, regardless of Kennedy, her sister, and her mother all being quasi winos, “Don’t worry your secret is safe with me, babe.” She took his hand and looked at him carefully, “Alright.. One, two... three.” Kennedy jumped, trying to pull him along with her.”

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Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude grinned as he leaned into her kiss, loving this private time the two of them got to have together. He felt like they were being so productive with their conversation, and besides that, Kennedy looked absolutely beautiful in her sundress. “God, they’re the biggest softies around her. I love it,” Jude said with a smile. He hoped they were keeping her cheerful while he was away. He knew she was getting a little impatient to get him back. “I was the same way, though. Kind of a tough guy, or I tried to be anyway. And then came Bee and suddenly I was carrying tons of pink things and getting so stressed I’d cry right along with her.” 

Jude followed Kennedy out to her deck, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. “Yeah, I’d love that,” he nodded, agreeing to her plans even though so far, none of the contestants had seemed that into drinking. It was a gorgeous place and he had Kennedy all to himself - a bottle of champagne wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. When he turned back to look at her, the dress was gone and she stood in nothing but a bikini. “You are so beautiful,” Jude said with a smile, reaching out to kiss her again. When he broke the kiss, he pulled off his shirt and held out his hand. “Let’s jump in together,” he said with a mischievous smile.

[kennedyxrose]

“I love that.. that sounds a little like my dad. I don’t know if he cried from stress, but there are plenty of pictures of him in his big tough guy demeanor, carrying my pageant dressed or wearing my crowns and I loved every single moment like that.” Kennedy gave him a soft kiss while they looked over the island, it was just so beautiful and romantic and there were no cameras, she just wanted to take advantage of every moment with him.

“Do you like champagne? I’ve realized, we’ve had wine or champagne at cocktail parties and dinners, but that doesn’t mean you actually like it.” Kennedy had gotten very good very quickly at social drinking. She smiled at him, realizing this was the least he had seen her in ever, “Thank you..” She kissed him and never wanted to break it, but they did and he pulled off his shirt and the red head smirked before taking his hand, “are you going to push me in? Or do that thing where you count to three and then I jump in and you don’t? Because do it and you’ll get splashed.”

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Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude nodded and said, “I know. You’re an amazing woman, Kennedy. I’m glad we’ve met.” He leaned in to kiss her softly and hoped she knew that he cared for her quite a bit. “Haha, I forgot about that. Now that you mention it, that might come up. but I’ll be honest… my brothers are assholes. But they’re suckers for Bee and her pout and to be fair, they’re the nicest assholes ever. They like, tease, but only because it’s how they show they care, if that makes sense?” he said. It was hard to describe Micah and Josiah other than in that very convoluted way.

“I know that,” he nodded. “I’m not upset with your answer, honestly.” Jude kissed Kennedy’s forehead and said, “It’s really sweet of you to give her that choice. That means a lot.” Jude took Kennedy’s hands in his own and looked into her eyes. “I really appreciate you saying that,” he told her with a smile. “I know how to thank you for it,” he said with a grin. “Because I’m going to thank you, that’s just the way I am.” He stood up and reached out for her, taking her hand to lead her up onto her feet. “We should swim, and then come in and cuddle up and get room service. Get some cheesecake again, what do you think?”

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy kissed him, “You’re amazing..” She rolled her eyes, “It always comes up but I can’t wait to meet them. If I get to meet them of course, they sound like fun guys. And if you helped with them they’re probably great, they’re probably just teenage boys those are all annoying. I bet Bee loves her uncles.. I bet they just melt around her.”

Kennedy raised an eyebrow before a smile crossed her face before taking his hands and getting off the couch. “That sounds perfect, let’s go.” She walked with him out to the pool, overlooking the entire island and ocean. It was gorgeous and she stopped for a minute to take in the view, “Can we drink champagne out here when the sun goes down? That sounds... super cheesy but really romantic.” The redhead looked over at him before slipping off her sundress to reveal her bikini.

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude smiled. “That’s great. That’s the mark of a good family,” he said. “And I hope you know that’s all I want for you, too. Your happiness.” Jude knew these next couple of weeks were going to be incredibly difficult, parsing out who made him the happiest, because he certainly didn’t want to hurt anyone. “I haven’t yet, but they’re coming here for the final two, to meet them. They’re bringing Bee,” Jude explained. “I think my brothers would pretend not to, and they might poke a bit of fun at your accent, but in the end they just want to see me happy so yeah, they would. My mom would love you. Bee, too.”

Jude wondered for a moment if he’d asked the wrong thing, when Kennedy sat up straight, but he let her process his question and turned to face her, focusing completely but not pressuring her for an answer. Her reply made a lot of sense to him, and he nodded as he said, “That makes sense, yeah. And it’s a really good point. And it means a lot to me that you’d want her to have that choice.” There were still worries, that maybe if something happened to Bee and she was hospitalized, that only he would be able to see her, but he also had faith that it was very unlikely that would happen. “Thank you. For being so accepting of her. And my life. I know I don’t exactly come from a really great family. There’s baggage. So thank you.”

[kennedyxrose]

“I know it is.. and I hope you know how happy being with you makes me.” Kennedy knew what the next two weeks were going to be like for everyone involved, but that didn’t change the fact that she was all in. She had let down all her walls, she had answered all his questions honestly, she had told him everything she could think of about her own life and, as much as she wnated to act like she wouldn’t, she knew she would be crushed if it didn’t end how she wanted it to, “Oh right, I forgot about that.. well the accent is a welcome change from the ‘gingers don’t have souls thing’ so bring it on.My accent isn’t that bad.. is it? Oh I hope your mom would love me..”

“It’s not that I wouldn’t want to adopt her right away, I hope you know that.” Kennedy was giving her real answers, but she hoped that they were the right ones for Jude as well, “I just don’t want her to ever feel like I forced her into something she she didn’t want. “ She placed her hand over his and squeezed it, “Everyone has some sort of baggage. You’re an amazing person and father, that’s what matters. And from what I’ve heard about your brothers and mother they seem pretty great too. You don’t have to thank me for loving you, alright? I just.. I just do.”

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude smiled. “I didn’t know that. I feel way more special now than I already did,” Jude said, not knowing that her brother was so antisocial. He really loved knowing how much her family cared - but the pressure hit him again when she said that Allison was already planning the wedding. That was a lot to live up to, especially because there were still two hearts involved aside from Kennedy’s and he may very well be letting down her whole family now, not just her, if things don’t work out. “I understand. I think if my brother had done this instead of me, I would have felt the same way. But as it stands he thinks it was dumb, so,” Jude chuckled a little. “The joke’s on him, though. Honestly.”

Nodding, Jude said, “For the record, I think you’d be an amazing mother. You were so good with Mallorie and I’m positive you’d be amazing with Bee, too.” He looked over at Kennedy, gazing into her eyes for a moment as he said, “I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about giving be another parent.” He swallowed hard before he said, “On her birth certificate - I’m the only parent listed.” He paused. “I’d never make anyone do this, but… could you see yourself considering adoption? Like, if it’s you and me at the end of this… would you adopt her and take on that legal responsibility? It’s totally fine if you say no, or would want to wait until she’s way older or something, too…”

[kennedyxrose]

“They just like seeing me happy is all.” She hoped that didn’t freak him out too much. Relationships have their up and downs, and Kennedy’s family understood taht it wasn’t just Kennedy in the equation, there was a child too. But they loved seeing her happy and supported after years of wishing it for her. She laughed, “Have you gotten to talk to him at all and explain it?” She thought for a second, “Would your brothers like me?”

Kennedy sat up, this seemed like a much more serious conversation and being cuddled up with him didn’t seem like the best move for this conversation. She thought for a few moments before speaking, “Of course I would adopt her. I told you I’d love her as my own and I mean that. But.. I think I’d wait until she was a little older and could understand what it meant. Because if she doesn’t want me to adopt her, if she still has that place in her heart for her ex, then it’s not my right to take it away from her to try and prove how much I love her. You know what I mean? It wouldn’t be fair, I don’t think, to adopt her when she doesn’t truly understand what it means.” Kennedy looked at him, trying to read his face, “does that make any sense?”

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude loved the way Kennedy could burrow right in on the couch next to him. It was adorable, and she was so cute, and being with her always put a smile on his face. “That’s really great to hear,” he said with a smile on his face. “Did - did everyone else feel that way, too? Like I fit?” Jude hadn’t ever really thought of it in those terms - but she was so right. He wanted to fit in with a family. He wanted to be part of someone else’s family the way they’d be a part of his own. “Bee would probably want to teach Mallory everything. She’s a bit bossy. But… well intentioned. It’d be adorable I really think they’d get along,” Jude explained, a smile on his face as he talked about it.

“Yeah, it was really great. They were all so kind,” Jude said with a smile. They’d been so welcoming and even Kennedy’s dad, who looked incredibly intimidating, wasn’t. He was a really good guy. “I was really nervous. Which you knew. But… Mallorie warmed to me and that meant a lot, and the talk I had with your dad…” Jude paused. “It wasn’t that I didn’t believe you, because I did. I mean, I do. That you’d love Bee as your own. But I asked your dad about it and he just completely agreed with you, that it’s something you’re ready for, and you’d be good at, and that meant a lot to me. It made me feel really good about us. Better than I already felt.”

[kennedyxrose]

She nodded quickly, “Yeah, absolutely. The fact that my brother said anything at all? That says a lot, he’s so quiet and too cool for school. The fact that he gave any sort of indication of approval shows how much he thought you belonged.” Kenendy smiled, it was the most interest her brother had shown in her life in what felt like forever, “Allison is already planning the wedding.” She shook her head and laughed softly, “Chris - her husband - he liked you a lot, he’s just a little skeptical. Not about you specifically, just about all of it. But I think it would be weird of no one was. But he liked you and he respected you which is big. And you know how my parents felt about you.” She took his hand and gave it a squeeze, “I think everyone thought you fit right in. Well Mallorie is still pretty little, she’s the perfect age to be bossed around at but she’ll fight back. Especially when it coms to dress up, but I think they’ll make it work.”

Kennedy listened to him talk about her family and finally about the conversation he had had with her father. She hadn’t asked her father about it, she wanted Jude to be the one to tell her what was said, “No I’m glad you talked to him about it. I know how important that all is to you, if you hadn’t asked I would’ve been a little worried that you weren’t as serious about me. I’m glad he helped reassure you.”

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

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Jude smiled and said, “That’s a great idea. Though… looks aren’t the most important thing, you know. To me. But it’s nice when it’s there as a perk.” He leaned in to kiss Kennedy softly and looked around her room as they walked in. The view was amazing and she looked beautiful in her sundress, and he couldn’t wait to spend the whole night with her, getting to know her even better. In a way they hadn’t gotten to do so far because of all the cameras. 

He led her to the sofa to sit down and draped an arm around her shoulders. “Thanks again for last week. I had a really good time. Your family is all so cool.” Smiling at the memory, he said, “Mallorie is such a cutie. I got so homesick but in the best way, you know?” Jude brushed his thumb over her shoulder and said, “How do you think it went?” He was really curious to know her thoughts on it, too. They hadn’t gotten much alone time at the hometown date.

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy kissed him again before falling onto the sofa next to him and cuddling into his side, enjoying the closeness without the cameras around them, “I’m so glad you had a good time. Having you there was.. amazing. It just felt like it fit, you know? and like you were supposed to be there with us.” She smiled at the mention of her niece, “She’s my world, you know? She isn’t even mine but I love that girl so much. She’s just a ray of light in all of our lives.. i mean I know you understand, with Bee. I would love to see those two together, wouldn’t you?”

 Kennedy took his hand and squeezed it a little, “Just a few more weeks and you’ll get to be home. I hope my family was kind of a good replacement in the interim?” She laughed, “Oh, babe. They absolutely loved you. Especially my mother and sister, they couldn’t stop going on and on about you. And my dad, he doesn’t talk a whole lot, but whatever he said was positive.” She looked up at him, “What did you think? I mean, you obviously felt alright about it because I’m still here, but what did you think of everything?”

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude loved how bright and happy Kennedy was all the time. Seeing her face when the door opened made him so happy, knowing that he was the source of at least some of the reason behind that smile. And being here with no cameras - that held a certain kind of excitement that he couldn’t contain. “I know, right?” he agreed, hugging her and sharing a gentle kiss with her. “You look beautiful.” He noticed the freckles on her cheeks and that she looked more relaxed and comfortable, and he couldn’t help but say, “I like this look the most. God, you’re gorgeous.” He scooped her up in another hug, arm protectively around her waist, and then looked over her shoulder at her suite.

“God, they really didn’t spare any expense, did they?” he asked, looking around, taking her hand, and leading her inside. The place was gorgeous, with a beautiful view and the sun streaming through as it set over the horizon. “How have you been? How was the trip out here?” He hadn’t seen Kennedy for a couple of days and that felt like an eternity to him - which only served as a testament to how close they’d grown over the past few weeks.

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy smiled up at him, “I thought you should see what everyday me is like, you know, when I’m not being broadcast on national tv.” She wrapped her arms around him again, letting the happiness of being with him again wash over her. It hadn’t been too long, but it had been long enough that she missed him. When something happened, she wanted to share it with him good or bad. Jude was the one she wanted to share her life with.

“No they didn’t. This place is amazing.” She let him lead her back into the suite. Kennedy still couldnt get over that this was the place they got to spend time alone at. It seemed like something out of a movie. “The trip out here was good, seeing the islands while we were flying in was gorgeous. I can’t believe this is out life for at least a week.. but I’m good! Better now that you’re here..” She looked up at him, a little smile on her face, “I missed you.”

[judevisaria-blog]

Time Well Spent - Jennedy

Jude was so excited to start his week with Kennedy. The Maldives was probably one of the most beautiful places he’d ever been, and knowing that he’d get some quality time here with Kennedy made it even better. The process was getting incredibly difficult and saying goodbye to people week by week wasn’t as easy now that he was so invested with all of them. But Kennedy had started his hometowns week off well, too, and the time they spent together in Texas had him feeling hopeful and optimistic about their possible future together. Now they’d get to explore that without any cameras around, and the thought was a wonderful one.

Jude was dressed in khaki shorts and a polo shirt, along with sandals, his hair loose in the wind with a hat propped atop it. The wind was light and cooled him down in the warm South Asian heat. He made his way to Kennedy’s private suite. It felt so weird to him to think that each contestant was on a different island, but they were. He knocked on Kennedy’s door, smiling, eager to see what awaited them when there were no cameras around.

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy was slightly shocked that she had made it past hometowns. Not that hers hadn’t gone well, it definitely had, but she had been the first one and there were three people after her. There was always the possibility that he had forgotten about how great of a time they had had. Receiving the rose had just solidified everything she had felt for him and that it was reciprocated and now they were together, in The Maldives, and most important they were there without cameras.

The redhead opted to not make herself as dolled up as she usually did when the cameras were on her. Instead to let Jude see what she looked like on a day to day basis, her freckles not covered up with makeup, her hair not perfectly curled, just in natural waves and light makeup. Kennedy had dug out a light, white sundress to keep her cool in the heat, but it was also simple and flirty and romantic as well. She had just finished getting ready when she heard Jude knock at the door. She ran over to open it, greeting him with a large smile and a kiss, “Hi.. it’s so weird to see you without all the cameras. In a good way of course.”

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy, Paradise awaits. Will you accept this rose? xoxo Jude

[kennedyxrose]

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Jennedy Hometown

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude was appreciative that Bill was so understanding, and he really felt better about this whole process and getting this close with Kennedy. He’d been worried that her family wouldn’t like him but it was clear that they kept open minds and were really open to his family and the life he had before starting this process. Jude smiled and nodded. “Thank you so much, sir. That means a lot. I appreciate you saying that,” he said, full of relief.

Jude walked into the dining room behind Bill and sat by Kennedy’s side, smiling at her as he did. “It went really well,” he whispered to her before settling in to his seat and taking the food as it was passed to him. “This looks amazing, thank you for cooking,” he said kindly to Kennedy’s mom before chuckling with the family as they talked about Kennedy’s cooking skills. “Well, she’s good at baking with chocolate… so she could survive on her own, if she had to,” he joked along with them. He smiled at Kennedy and then dug in as they were asked about their story. “I mean… what stands out to me the most when I look back at where we started and how we got here… the details don’t stand out to me nearly as much as the fact that Kennedy has just… been there for me. When things got rough and when some of the contestants showed their ugly sides… she ignored the drama and focused on making sure I was okay and that was honestly my saving grace at times.”

[kennedyxrose]

“Good! I was nervous. I mean, I knew he’d like you, but. you know.” She gave him a quck smile before taking the food that was passed. “Thank you for joining us, Jude.” Katherine said, a genuine smile at the two of them before helping herself to a baked potato. The whole family listened intently as Jude talked about Kennedy, Allison beaming the entire time, her smile almost matching Kennedy’s. Almost. Kennedy’s was definitely larger. “Well, you know. You were there for me too. The little fights with Chase and when Andrew was threatening me. You made sure that I was okay, you didn’t just brush it all aside because of your own feelings. It made a huge difference in this whole experience.” 

Kennedy was looking at him like he was the only thing in the world before her brother in law broke the silence, “That’s the most important thing in a relationship. Really, me being there for Allison, her being there for me. It is what has made our marriage work even though we’ve only been married for six years.. If you two already have that, you seem pretty set.” Kennedy smiled at Jude and, finally, her younger brother decided to add to the conversation by holding up his wine glass, “Um.. I’m not much for.. well for anything, but.. I think we should raise a glass. To Jude and Kennedy.” 

[kennedyxrose]

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Jennedy Hometown

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude listened as Bill talked about Kennedy’s way with kids, about how she’d be as a mother, and most of it was stuff he knew already. But the thing was, with a visit like this - hearing it from someone who’d known Kennedy for much longer put Jude at ease. He’d worried, coming into this, that the people he’d meet would be fake. He certainly didn’t think that of anyone who was left in the competition, but his protectiveness over Bee meant that he was going to ask these kinds of questions anyway. It was very, very important to him that he marry someone ready to become a parent.

“Thank you. I mean - I knew that, kind of. But it’s reassuring, hearing it from you, too,” Jude said with a smile. “It means she’s been genuine. Which I thought she was. I’m not saying she -” He stumbled over his words and paused to take a breath. “Sorry. Anyway. You know what I meant. I think?” He looked up at Bill, and then let him voice his own concerns. “I can see myself with her, yeah,” Jude nodded. “But, it’s more complicated than that. There are still other people involved.” He took a deep breath. “Can I promise she’s the one I’m going to marry? No. But can I promise that I won’t lead her on if I feel that somethings progressing faster with someone else? Yes. I’m always going to be honest with these people. I would never lie to Kennedy.”

[kennedyxrose]

“I’d be worried if you weren’t asking those kinds of questions for your daughter.” Bill nodded and held up a hand, “I get it.” He nodded and took in everything that Jude was saying, “I think that’s all I can ask at this point.” Bill stuck out his hand for Jude to shake, “I think you’d make a great addition to this family.”  He clapped his hand on Jude’s back before leading the way back to the dining room with the steak where everyone else was sitting. 

Kennedy’s face lit up as they walked back in and looked at Jude trying to read how the conversation went, “That smells amazing, Dad. Did Jude help? He’s an amazing chef you know, like really really good.” She beamed at Jude before starting to help herself to some of the food. “That’s right, we saw that. You’re a chef!” Katherine beamed at him while helping Mallorie with some food, “That’s exactly what Kennedy needs. She can cook, but.. i wouldn’t consider her a professional.” Kennedy chuckled, “Thank you, Mom..” Katherine continued, “Jude.. have you enjoyed your experience on the show so far then? I just want to hear everything, I’m sorry. I know I should be asking tough questions, but I just want to hear about the two of yours story. It’s much more important and you two look so happy it has to be a wonderful one.”

[kennedyxrose]

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Jennedy Hometown

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude was so grateful for Kennedy, and how well she was able to read him, all the time. That was such a comfort in stressful moments like this one, where he really badly wanted to make a good impression. “Thanks. I do. My mom’s a saint and my brothers… well, they’re becoming their own people now but they did a lot in their high school years to help me,” Jude said. He leaned over so he could grab his wallet, showing off Bee’s kindergarten picture. She had dark curly hair and olive skin just like him, and her smile was bright and cheesy, her eyes squished partially shut, she was smiling so big. Her two front teeth were missing and she wore an adorable pink dress. It always filled him with pride, showing off her photo.

Jude followed Bill out to the back and as it turned out, there really was a grill back there and he’d get to help. But he knew that this was also going to be a big conversation. If he didn’t hit it off with Kennedy’s dad, this whole thing could become messy very quickly. When Bill began speaking, Jude got nervous, but the more he spoke, the better Jude began to feel about the whole thing. “Yes, sir. I wouldn’t leave her unless I thought it was best,” he agreed. Plus, his mom had been trying at length to get him to think more about himself. “Thank you. I appreciate that,” Jude said, feeling marginally relieved. There was something on his mind, though, and he wanted to ask Bill, because he was most likely to know and have thoughts on this. “I wanted to ask… since there’s a child in the picture… is that something you could see Kennedy wanting? Being good at?” He felt he already had the answers due to her job, but she’d be stepping in to a big role - and who better to know if she’d be immediately ready to fill those shoes than her father?

[kennedyxrose]

Bill was going to ask if he had any questions, but Jude beat him to the punch. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the question, “Kennedy, although she is hard pressed to show it sometimes, has one of the biggest, most accepting hearts I have ever come across. I don’t even know where it comes from a lot of the time, her mother and I are good people, but even we don’t care as deeply as she does.” He held out a plate so that Jude could start putting the steaks on them when he was ready, “She has wanted a family her whole life. She takes the kids that she works with and treats them as her own and they love her, but she hasn’t ever given herself time to find a man who can give her what she wants.” Bill nodded, “The short answer is, yes. She’s ready, she’s going to be very good at it. The long answer is, in my opinion you couldn’t find someone with a more open heart for people and animals regardless of where they came from. She’ll treat and love your daughter as her own, there is no doubt in my mind.” He cleared his throat a little bit, “now I have a question for you. and a request as well. Can you see your future with Kennedy? And if you can’t, I ask you to let her down sooner than later.”

[kennedyxrose]

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Jennedy Hometown

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude was very conscious about whether he fidgeted too much, or whether he looked okay, because Kennedy’s family seemed like the kind to notice that. It wasn’t a bad thing, he just felt like he was under a microscope. More than anything, Jude just truly hoped he’d make a good impression on these people. “Yeah, she had an allergic reaction to walnuts, the poor thing,” Jude explained with a little more detail. “It was scary for both of us, but I’ve got my mom and my brothers who’ve helped me out so much, so I know she was in good hands until I got there.” Jude blushed a little and smiled at Kennedy when she said he was a good dad - it wasn’t the first time she’d said it but it always made him feel really proud.

Jude looked over when Mallorie toddled into the room - he was always attuned to children and where they were and what they were doing. Bee had been a very curious child, after all. It was a habit now. “Oh, thank you Mal! That’s so sweet of you. She’s going to love that,” Jude said with a smile. He had no idea if he was actually meant to take the stuffed horse back to Bee, but it was the thought that counted, and this little one seemed incredibly cute. Jude nodded when Bill asked if Jude could help him. “Absolutely,” he nodded. While he really did love cooking, especially steaks, he had a very strong feeling that they weren’t actually going to be cooking. He stood up and followed Bill, swallowing hard to calm his nerves.

[kennedyxrose]

Kennedy squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him a little bit. She knew she was the first hometown date and that Jude’s nerves must be out of control. Her family was a little much, but they just wanted both Kennedy and Jude to be the happiest that they could be. Katherine smiled warmly at the two, but mostly at Jude, “That sounds like you have a very good support system around you and your little girl. She sounds like an angel, do you have a picture?” Katherine asked, genuinely curious. She loved children, she loved people, it was just a habit to her. 

The family got up and moved towards the dining room and Kennedy gave Jude’s hand one last squeeze and a comforting smile before following her sister to the dining room and letting Jude go with her father. Bill lead the way to the deck that over looked the rest of the ranch. The horses were out of the barn and walking around the fenced in land and it all felt very country, “You know I was very skeptical when my daughters told me about their plan to have Kennedy on the show.” Bill started chuckling a little and shaking his head, “They’ve always been partners in crime and sometimes that didn’t always go according to plan.. but. I have to say. I like what I’ve seen on the show so far.” Bill handed him the tongs to cook the steaks, “You have a little girl. That shows me you are serious about this, you wouldn’t be spending so much time away from her if you weren’t and, as a father myself, that makes me feel much better.  You seem like a good man, Jude. And the way Kennedy looks at you shows me she thinks so too.”

[kennedyxrose]

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Jennedy Hometown

[judevisaria-blog]

Jude tried to take everything in while not coming off as standoffish or rude. There was honestly so much going on, and he was grateful to Kennedy for explaining things for him while he adjusted to his surroundings. He smiled at Mallorie as she spoke to him, and he said, “That’s so great! Three is the best age, isn’t it?” She was incredibly sweet, and he completely understood her shyness in this situation. She barely knew him, after all, and plus - he brought cameras into the house too, which probably didn’t help her fear at all.

Jude reached over for Kennedy’s hand when Mallorie ran away to play, and he laughed as her mom talked about chocolate and how that was the way into Kennedy’s heart. “I think it worked,” he said to her mom, before turning to face Kennedy’s dad. He seemed a bit gruff, but not too bad. He nodded and said, “They’ve been really great about letting me FaceTime with her. She’s just started Kindergarten this year so she’s had things to keep her occupied, but it’s not the same. She loves it, though, and is really excited that I’m doing this for us, sir.”

[kennedyxrose]

“It did.” Kenendy confirmed, taking his hand and smiling up at him. Kennedy watched the exchange between Jude and her father and looked over at Allison who just gave her a quick thumbs up to calm her nerves. She was assuming that that meant, based on the show, her father had liked what he had seen, “She got sick when we were in Italy, they let Jude off to go see her which was good. She needed him there without a doubt.” Bill nodded, a small smile creeping on his rather emotionless face, “I’m glad you were able to be there for her, a kid needs their parent at times like that.” Kennedy nodded in agreement, smiling up at Jude, “He’s a good dad.”

Katherine was about to suggest moving for dinner when Mallorie came over to Jude and handed him a little stuffed horse. It was one of her toys, not her favorite, but one that she did enjoy when she was playing farm, “Bee feel better.” She explained before giving a shy little smile and looking over at her mom who looked like she was about to burst with pride, “That’s really nice of you, Mallorie.” Katherine scooped up her granddaughter, “Why don’t we all move to the dining room for some dinner, hm? I’m sure we’re all hungry.” Bill stood up first, “Jude. Do you mind helping me with finishing up the steak?” He asked, making it kind of obvious that it wasn’t really a question.