Hello to all who've been reading this series. So sorry I didn't post sooner. Complications arose... I won't go into detail. Anyway, here is the first part. I know it's very short, but they do get longer. Just a little beginning piece. Enjoy.
Prologue:
Did you see the sky
I think it means that we've been lost
Maybe one less time is all we need
"No! I won't take you to see him!" Nathan yelled, turning away from Haley, arms crossed over his chest in exasperation.
"Baby, come on," Haley pleaded, reaching out to touch his arm. He flinched away from her. Her hands rose to her temples. They'd had this fight every day for a couple of weeks now and it was really starting to wear them thin. "Nathan," Haley tried again."I know what you think is going to happen and it won't. I promise you won't lose me. But I just, I have to say goodbye to him. I have to know it's really over. Can't you understand that?"
"No, no I really can't," he blew out. "I can't see why you have to go back there. To him. I hate that bastard. He ruined everything the last time."
A surge of pain shot through her head and her eyes closed at the sudden shock. "Nathan, Jack's really trying to change for the better. And I just, I need to see it myself to believe it, you know?"
Nathan sank onto the bed, sitting on the edge with head in his hands. Haley moved to sit next to him, rubbing his back, trying to calm him down. He didn't move to comfort her, but he didn't shake her off either. "I don't think I can do it, Haley. Not again," he mumbled. He spoke so soft, she could barely hear him. She wasn't even sure he had really wanted her to. But she had.
I can't really help it if my tongue's all tied in knots
Jumping off a bridge, it's just the farthest that I've ever been
Her voice cracked as she spoke and he could tell she was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry. I just don't think I can do this without you, Nathan. I need your support. I need you there with me."
He lifted his head slowly and looked into her gorgeous brown eyes. They were filled with tears, shining with an indescribable sadness, raw pain that cut too deep. And it broke his heart.
She gazed into his cerulean eyes and knew he didn't think he could manage to take her. She didn't know if he could either. But she knew he would eventually agree. Because he loved her too much not to.
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far
He took her in his arms and they lay back together. Her hands rested on his chest and her head lay on his shoulder, their lower bodies tangled together comfortably. His arms held her tightly. "I don't know, Hales," his voice was low. He hated to see her in pain. "There's so much I wish I could do to that guy and if I take you down there… there's no telling what'll happen."
Her head was pressed against his arm, making her voice sound muffled. "I can't do it without you, Nathan. I never want to be apart from you again. But I need to do this. I have to. And I need you to come with me."
He placed a kiss on her hair. "Just give me some time to think about it, OK, Haley?"
She nodded and leaned up to kiss him gently. When she pulled away, he could still see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Would it ever end?
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I know we're headed somewhere, I can see how far we've come
But still I can't remember anything
Let's not do the wrong thing and I'll swear it might be fun
It's a long way down when all the knots we've tied have come undone
Four days later, Nathan was at work and Haley was at home, cleaning the house. She blew out air, trying to get the hair out of her face. Sighing in frustration, she grabbed the nearest clip and put her hair up in a loose, sloppy twist and slipped out of Nathan's old jersey. Walking into their room, she pulled on a tank top, picking up a few stray pieces of clothing off the floor on her way back to the laundry room.
Suddenly, the phone rang and she groaned, setting the basket of freshly laundered clothes on the couch. She glanced at the caller ID. Didn't recognize the number. Decided to let the machine get it. Returning to the laundry, she ignored the phone. Until the voice on the answering machine stopped her.
"Hey, Haley. It's Jack. Um, I know this is kind of weird and I probably shouldn't be calling you…"
Haley bit her lip, knowing she probably shouldn't answer. Nathan would be really pissed. She snatched up the phone and brought it up to her ear. "Hello?" she whispered.
"Haley, it's Jack."
"Yeah, I know," she whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" he asked, sounding amused.
"Because Nathan might come home any minute now and I don't want him to hear me talking to you."
"Oh." Jack cleared his throat. "Listen, I know this would be sort of awkward, but I was just wondering if.. um…… maybe you could come down to see me? You can bring Nathan with you if you want," he added quickly, unsure of himself.
She sighed. Closed her eyes. "I've actually been trying to convince him to take me to see you. I'm sorry, Jack. I don't think he'll agree."
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far
There was silence for a few seconds before he continued. "Well, that's… OK, I guess. It's just… well, if I'm gonna be honest, things really aren't looking good for me right now, Haley. The doctor's are saying the last ten years have put too much stress on my heart and it's… um, it's not functioning properly. I just… I really just want to say goodbye. And apologize to you in person. Before I, you know…" he coughed, "before I'm gone."
Haley's eyes closed involuntarily and she sucked in a breath. "It's really that bad?"
She could feel him hesitate and she knew he didn't want to make her worry. "Yeah… yeah it is. I tried to… to tell myself that it wasn't. I tried to convince myself that it would all be OK. But it's pretty bad, Haley. I'm not gonna lie. The doctors aren't holding out too much hope for me and I'm not either. Not anymore. It's not pretty."
She could feel the tears welling up, but she refused to cry. "I'll see what I can do." Her voice was full of emotion and Jack hated that he made her cry.
"It'll be OK, Haley," he soothed. "And thank you."
"You're welcome," she whispered, eyes opening slowly to find Nathan standing in front of her, angry expression distorting his features.
Jack cleared his throat. It was quickly fading. "Well, I have to go get some tests done, but I guess I'll talk to you later? Bye, Haley."
"Bye," she whispered, hanging up and tossing the phone back on its cradle.
Nathan's anger quickly dissipated as he saw the tears in her eyes. "Baby, what's wrong?" he asked, wrapping her in his arms, determined to protect her.
She took in a shaky breath. "Things aren't looking good for him, Nathan. He….he's not gonna make it."
How you gonna ever find your place
Running in an artificial pace
Are they gonna find us lying face down in the sand
So what the hell now we've already been forever damned
Nathan's eyes closed. He couldn't believe this was happening. He wanted to do this for Haley. He honestly did. But he didn't think he could. There was no telling what he would do if he ever saw that bastard again. "I'm sorry I can't take you, Haley."
She breathed in deeply, her arms reaching out to hold him closer to her. "It's OK. I just, I really wish you could."
He kissed her forehead. "Me too. Me too, baby."
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A few days later, they were laying together on the couch, watching a basketball game. Haley turned to face Nathan and he gave her a sweet kiss. She smiled. "I love you, Nathan."
He laid his forehead on hers. "I love you too."
They kissed again, this time for longer. When they finally pulled apart, both were out of breath. Nathan's eyes were closed and Haley smiled again, kissing his forehead.
"Haley?" he said softly.
"Mmh?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
Anywhere you go I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far
"I'll take you to see Jack," he whispered.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked.
He nodded, eyes still closed. She kissed him deeply. "Thank you, baby. Thank you. I love you so much." She kissed him again, not able to restrain herself.
He gave a small, sad smile. "So, it's finally over?" he asked.
She nodded. "I just have to say goodbye."
"OK," he breathed, opening his eyes to look at her. She was so beautiful. He just wanted to see her happy again. And if this is what it took, then so be it.
I'll follow you down, but not that far
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So, where's all my faithful little readers? You know you want to review... ;)
I'll try to update more tonight. Oh, and lyrics were Follow You Down by Gin Blossoms. Just in case you were wondering.
P.S. For those of you who've just begun reading, this is actually the last story in a trilogy. There were two prequels. The first was Letting Go of Holding on and the second was Holding on to Letting Go. :)
Love you guys and please review. :)
