A/N: Congratulations! You have earned a centennial review reward from the CRRBD program. What this means is you will get an update everyday for 3 days- today, tomorrow, and Tuesday! This could be the start of everyday updates if you can get to the next centennial marker before the third day, so put your review caps on! I'll try to think of some good questions to make it easier to say something.
I know a lot of you guys are probably bummed about all the rumors circling about season 7. But what I like about fanfic is it gives us a chance to rewrite all the things we dont like about the show. Or keep going with the things we do like. It happened before to me with Lois and Clark, but 10 years later thanks to fanfiction, I can still watch an episode of my favorite show with each new story posted. So writers keep writing, and readers, keep reading, and there will always be a good OTH story in the fanfic world, even if its not on screen.
Ok, off my soapbox now.
This goes out to bkworm52, who was looking forward to the song. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but now, wait no longer. Here's a whole chapter full of songs! Enjoy! :)
This is a heavy lyric section. I included them all because they tell a story, kind of like Lucas' progression of begging put to song, so I think you should read them. Having said that, I seldom actually read lyrics myself, so my feelings won't be hurt if you don't actually read them, and just read the story in between. I had fun just picking the ones for this chapter, because they said in just one song what pages of dialogue may not be able to get across.
Props to Brian McKnight for singing so many songs that fit this leyton fic!
lukenpeyton4ever, its like you snuck in and read the chapter ahead of time. Give yourself a hand!
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Chapter 21 The Many Ways To Say I Love You
She must have turned the Brian McNight compilation cd over and over in her head a dozen times before she popped it into her cd player and pressed random. She turned off the lights, closed her eyes, and snuggled under the covers, ready to listen to this 'not so new artist' that spoke to Lucas. Her eyes popped open and flew to the cd player, noticing that it had played the first track anyway, as she heard the lyrics to Brian McKnight's song 'Someday, Someway, Somehow.'
I try to pull myself together,/ One lie, tore us apart.
We left so many words unspoken./ You walked away with my heart,
And I cried, I cried./ Heaven knows how much I cried.
Could you find the strength within you,/ To give me one more try.
Chorus: If I called you, would you believe what I had to say,
And if I saw you, would you, turn and run away.
If I had my way girl, you'd be with me right now.
Someday, someway, somehow./ Someday, someway, somehow.
I thought that I could go on without you./ Guess what? I was so wrong,
And I realized how much I really love you,/ And it's been far too long.
I know you cried, I know you cried./ Heaven knows how much you cried.
But can you find the strength within you,/ To give me one more try.
Chorus
So come on, don't I get my one mistake./ Let's forget about yesterday for tomorrow,
I know we've found what's at the end of the rainbow,
And it's meant to be, it's meant to be,
It was as if Lucas had written to Brian and told him what to sing, in just the right melody to touch her heart. She squelched the instinct to call him up and say 'okay'; she silenced the sound of her heart whispering 'just one more try,' and remained steadfast in her decision.
But Wednesday came, and she only made Lucas call for an hour after talking to William before picking up the phone. She rationalized it by saying she needed the sleep, so she might as well give in. The conversation went similarly as the first one, only this time, he spoke about the great turn out he had in Omaha, how Mouth was missing Millie and was thinking about coming back to Tree Hill, and what a kick he got out of explaining to the readers that his second book was about Peyton too, the love of his life, and how he was waiting for her to forgive him and come back to him.
Peyton couldn't help herself. "And what does Lindsay think about all this 'I'm in love with Peyton' talk?"
Lucas had no problem replying. "There's only one girl in my life whose opinion matters to me, and I'm talking to her. But for the record, I let her know that the Lucas and Peyton epic is not over yet."
"Does she know you are the only one who believes that?" Peyton retorted.
"Oh, you wound me deeply. I'll remind you you said that when we get back together."
"We are not getting back together, Luke."
She heard him smile over the phone. "Yes we are, because I'm not giving up this time until we do. Goodnight Peyton Eventually-will-be-Scott. I still love you."
"We are not getting back together!" she protested, but he had already hung up.
Sighing, she put the phone on the nightstand and turned to the cd player, pressing play. She was not going to be blindsided by tonight's song. The lights were on, she was still dressed, and her eyes were wide open. The words had only affected her last night because she was in that half- sleep state, where the mind believed in happily ever afters. She wouldn't be caught off guard this time, she thought, listening as 'Anytime' began to play.
I can't remember why we fell apart/ From something that was so meant to be, yeah
Forever was the promise in our hearts/ Now, more and more I wonder where you are
Chorus: Do I ever cross your mind, anytime/ Do you ever wake up reaching out for me
Do I ever cross your mind anytime/ I miss you
Still have your picture in a frame/ Hear your footsteps down the hall
I swear I hear your voice, driving me insane/ How I wish that you would call/ To say
Chorus
(No more) loneliness and heartache
(No more) crying myself to sleep
(Don't want no more) wondering about tomorrow
Won't you come back to me
Come back to me
Chorus
I miss you
"He's good." She thought to herself on Thursday after their phone conversation, as she listened to 'Try Our Love Again.'
Its been so long since I touched your face/ Its been so long since I had a taste
Its been so long since I had you here with me/ Its been so long since our yesterdays
Its been so long since you went away/ Its been so long I never thought I'd ever see you again
Chorus: So that's why, girl I don't wanna let you go/ That's why, feel this time I'll let you know
That's why, babygirl don't tell me no/ Why don't we try our love again?
So that's why, you're the one that I should be with/ That's why, miss you more than a little bit
That's why, think I've had about enough of this/Why don't we try our love again?
It's been so long it's been quite a while/ It's been so long since I seen that smile
It's been so long since I held you close to me/ It's been so long so much has changed
It's been so long girl I take the blame/ It's been so long but I knew someday I'd see you again
Chorus
I used to have you here with me/ I think about you constantly
And I just had to let you know/ Cant remember why I let you go
But here we got us a second chance/ The answers are our true romance
And we don't have to be alone/ Its time for you to come on home
Friday she thought she had him- William was staying over Jamie's house and would be able to talk to Lucas when he called for Jamie. She and Brooke had plans to go out, so she wasn't home to answer the phone, and she 'accidentally' left her cell phone in the car. It's like he knew what she was doing, she thought as she listened to Friday night's song when she returned home, 'The Only One For Me.'
You say you've seen too many things, /that turn out to be too good to be true.
Against your better judgment, opened up your heart,/ 'til you found the joke was on you.
Looking out on the rest of our lives,/ If we're gonna be together or apart
About the only way I know how to come,/is right straight from my heart.
Chorus: I want you now,/ I'll show you how/ I can be the man you need me to be
I've been around,/ but now I've found/ that you're the only one for me.
Say you'll never fall again/ You won't subject yourself to such pain
If you give me half a chance I will/ I'll never leave you standing out in the rain
But if you think that I could look you in your face and lie right/ through my teeth then turn around and walk away
Cross my heart, girl I care for you and when I look into your eyes i must say...
Chorus
I need you so/ I can't let go/ Gonna be all that I can be
I want you still/ I always will/ cause you're the only one for me
Saturday morning she woke up an checked her voice mailbox, only to have messages from him. "Don't think I don't know you're avoiding me. But its okay. I still and will always love you. 8 more days 'til I can see your beautiful face. Oh, and by the way, I know you're listening to the songs in order, so I'm gonna ask you, 'Baby, won't you show me the way back to your heart, let me see a sign to know if I'm close or far, lead me back to the road that leads back to your arms'" he sang.
She couldn't help but smile at how well he knew her; after the random feature played the first song, she listened to the rest of them in order. She frowned; now she felt compelled to listen to 'Show me the way to your heart' right then.
I remember days and nights were never cold/ Had you in my life, I had you there to hold
And I remember love warm as a summer day/ But I lost you/ And I lost my way
Now I'm in the rain/ Begging you please, please
Chorus: Baby, won't you show me the way back to your heart
Let me see a sign to know if I'm close or far
Lead me back to the road/ That leads back to your arms
Every night another lonely street/ I walk down alone
Searching for a light/ Your light to lead me home
Leave a candle in the window/ And let it shine for me
Take my hand and take these tears away
I can't take the pain/ I'm on my knees begging you please
Sunday's song, titled 'Back at One,' was just a great love song, and that why she put it on repeat as she drifted off to sleep. Not because the words put hope into her heart, not because she could imagine Lucas saying those words to her, not because she was beginning to believe he felt in his heart what the lyrics said. Those weren't the reasons at all.
It's undeniable... that we should be together...
It's unbelievable how I used to say that I'd fall never
The basics you need to know, if you don't know just how I feel,
Then let me show you now that I'm for real...
If all things in time, time will reveal...
Yeah...
Chorus: One... you're like a dream come true...
Two... just wanna be with you...
Three... girl it's plain to see... that your the only one for me...
Four... repeat steps one through three...
Five... make you fall in love with me...
If ever I believe my work is done... then I start Back at One (yeah)
So Incredible... the way things work themselves out...
And all emotional, once you know what it's all about babe...
And undesirable... for us to be apart...
Never would of made it very far...
Cause you know you've got the keys to my heart
Cause...
Chorus
Say farewell to the dark of night... I see the coming of the sun...
I feel like a little child... whose life has just begun...
You came and breathed new life
Into this lonely heart of mine...
You threw out the life line... just in the Nick of Tiimmmeeee.....
It's like he was done begging, and ready to tell her how he felt. Monday's song was 'Every Beat of My Heart.'
I could feel/ It coming from a mile away
When I opened up the door/ I saw everything that I've been waiting for, hey
Close your eyes/ I don't care what other people say
Here underneath the stars/ Now Jupiter and Mars don't seem so far away
Chorus: I want you to know/ You take my breath away
And it's been that way right from the start
I didn't know how to tell you/ That I want to love you/ With every beat of my heart
(With every beat of my heart)
Take my hand/ Don't be afraid, don't go
I want you to stay/ Just relax your mind
I promise that tomorrow will be just like today
Tuesday he was so sweet as he sang Happy Birthday to Bella over the phone. He got a little cocky when he was talking to her after she told him that little tidbit, and after she hung up with him and put on the song he chose for the day, the room got a little warm as Peyton squirmed restlessly in her bed, memories assailing her of the two of them together as she listened to 'I Belong to You.'
I want you for myself/I don't wanna have to share you with nobody else
I want you, baby/ Come to me/ Let me give you all the lovin' that you need
Chorus: I wanna touch your body/ Feel your arms around me
I wanna be your fantasy, your dream come true
I wanna need your loving' Make you my only woman
I wanna love you, love you, love you, baby
I belong to youUntil I feel your heartbeat pounding next to mine/ I've got work to do
'Til every single star up in the sky/ Knows that I belong to you
I want you satisfied/ Anything your heart desires
Let my love provide/I want you baby
Only you and I swear/ I'm gonna make you want me too
Wednesday she was his 'Everything,' and as much as she tried her hardest not to, she was beginning to believe he was serious. His dedication to winning her back and everything he had done over the month was painting a new picture of Lucas Scott, one she was finding hard to resist.
Yesterday, came in your eyes, I caught a glimpse of tomorrow
And that's when I realized, that dreams come true.
For you love there's nothing I would not do.
Do I love you? Baby, I do.
That's why,
Chorus: I'd sail across the ocean, bring you the sun./ With you I see forever, you are the one.
Girl, you're everything I need and more./ You are my everything, my everything.
For sure. My heart, beats for you./ You are a light in the darkness.
You make me feel brand new,
And looking in your eyes,/ I can tell you feel the same way too.
Do I love you? Baby, I do.
Chorus
For I may, wish I might,
To have you here in my arms for the rest of my life.
I pray that you'll stay in my heart for always.
Thursday she couldn't help but feel a spurt of anticipation. Two more days, and he'd be here. She relabeled the feeling as anticipation that she would be able to stop listening to this cd, stop answering the phone to Lucas' calls, never mind that no one was forcing her to do so in the first place. 'Biggest Part of Me' was that day's song, and it made her a little nervous as to what he had in store for her when he returned.
If you've ever had a broken heart,/ You promise yourself to never let it happen again.
Don't wanna think about it./ Don't wanna dream about it,
But it finds its way back into your head.
The "I love you's, I need you's"/ Are only words that people say,
They're just words, when they're hand in hand,/ With the games that people play, but,
Chorus: If I ever see the top of the mountain,
If never step my foot in the sea.
I promise you I love you forever,
You'll always be the biggest part of me.
Where ever you are, whatever you do I will follow,
You've changed the way that I used to think.
I promise you I'll love you forever,
You'll always be the biggest part of me.
Take a look at me, I let you have my heart.
I swore I'd never let it happen again.
I'm not mad about it, I'm kinda glad about it,
Cause I know that with you girl, I can depend.
I love you, I need you,
Are only words that people say.
They're just words, when they're hand in hand,
With the games that people play, but,
Chorus
I believe, yes I believe,
I believe in love again,
And I swear, I'll always be there.
Isn't this the way that it should be, and,
Chorus
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"You're gonna hug me tomorrow when you see me, aren't you?" Lucas said cockily.
"For what?" Peyton scoffed, smoothing back her covers and crawling into her bed.
"For the cd. For the awesome songs I handpicked especially for you, after hours and hours of listening to cd after cd for just the right song."
"Ehh, I think you needed one more hour to get it just right." Peyton teased.
"Whatever, you loved it. And you're going to hug me because let's face it, you missed me."
"Not at all, really." Peyton said, smiling softly.
"Yes, you did. I can hear the smile in your voice."
Immediately Peyton schooled her face back to neutral. Lucas laughed. "That's fine, hide your smile. I know it was there. If it makes you feel better, you can hug me under the guise of friendship. I'll know what it really means."
"In your dreams." Peyton retorted crossing her arms.
"Every night, and sometimes when I'm awake." Lucas said seriously. They sat in silence, the heaviness of those words erasing the playful mood.
"You haven't heard the last song have you?" Lucas finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Not yet" Peyton replied.
"But you're in bed, lights off?"
"How do you do that?" Peyton said, exasperated at his accuracy.
"Because I know you. I've always known you." Lucas admitted. "Put the song on repeat, and we'll listen to it together."
Peyton hesitated just a second before doing what he said. It couldn't hurt anything to listen with him, could it? She thought so, until he began to sing with Brian McKnight 'For the Rest of My Life.'
Star light, star bright,
Have you ever felt the way I feel tonight?
Sparkle in your eyes, as the diamond shines,
Guaranteeing that you'll always be mine.
Chorus: Let me tell you, for the rest of my life I'll be true.
Here to tell you this evening,
And the rest of my days and nights belong to you.
You can believe that there ain't nothing in this world that I'd rather do.
Now and forever my heart belongs to you.
Now and forever, for the rest of my life I love you.
And it's alright, go ahead and cry,
I'm so happy now that I could die.
(I understand your tears)
And you touched my soul,
More than you know.
So afraid that you would tell me.
Chorus
The countdown has begun until the day,
And I know that we're gonna be together come what may,
And if you want me and need to always be there,
Constantly, patiently, taking good care,
I'll be there, you'll know I'll be there.
And those were the words that echoed in her mind, her heart, and her soul, as she fell asleep with the music in the background and him singing softly to her his love for her.
For the rest of my life I'll be true.
And the rest of my days and nights belong to you.
You can believe that there's nothing in this world that I'd rather do.
Now and forever my heart belongs to you.
Now and forever, for the rest of my life I love you.
I love you.
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Oh no he didn't! He used music! Everybody knows how a song can Peyton's mood! But can a song change Peyton's mind?
Can she love him back yet? Yes, no? She doesn't have to, cause I know I'm loving him right now. I think he's changed for the better, but then, I wrote him. What do you think?
Oh, and another question: Lucas is singing an awful lot. Do you think he has a good voice, or is it off-key? How do you hear it in your mind?
I noticed last chapter that there are still some readers out there who want more gestures from Lucas. Man, you guys are tough. I cant imagine how pissed you were when Peyton just took him back on the show! Thank goodness for fanfiction! Anyway, I love that you are making me work to make you love Lucas- just let me know when hes won you over! :)
Lilxjames, you can use whatever you want, just give me a shoutout when you do and we're golden!
Shout out to everyone who thought Lindsay would be coming into this fic, did you see her name? You were right! Pat yourselves on the back!
You guys are really starting to read my mind. Its scary! :)