Part Vingt-quatre
J&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&LJ&L
The boys had been 'alive' again for about a week, and Ray had talked to Luke about having his parents over for dinner the next evening, Saturday. Luke hadn't seen them since the dinner with Julie when they had told his dad he was, for lack of a better phrase, 'back from the dead'. He had spoken to them on the phone a handful of times, but things were a bit strained. His dad was pretty okay with everything, however his mother was having trouble with the idea of him not coming home, staying in his old bedroom, and just starting back from where things had been before he left. He couldn't do that, though, and while he was incredibly grateful to have a second chance, he knew he was so different than the boy she remembered.
'Dying made me grow up a little, but being around Julie and her family has made me grow up a lot. Not specifically because of her, or for her, but because I want to be better. I really screwed up with the Caleb thing and letting her down, and facing the idea of being wiped from existence, well, that was a big deal. I don't want to fight with my mom again, but I will not go back to that house. We would just fall into the same old pattern and start fighting again, there are little things she's said that tell me she still doesn't understand. I'm happy here, and as much as I do want to spend some time with my parents, dinner now and then feels like the best way to mend things and still be myself. I think now my dad will back me up, which is really nice.' Luke was pacing around the studio, trying to sort through if he wanted to tell his parents about the class he had picked out with Ray for the Spring semester at the community college. His mom would be over the moon, but she would make such a big deal about it only being one class. They had argued in circles about exactly this type of thing, it was part of why he ran, one class wasn't good enough, wouldn't be good enough for her. He had offered that once, back during an early fight when they were still managing to talk, rather than yell. Obviously it hadn't gone over well, or things wouldn't have escalated to him running away.
He huffed out a breath and slumped down onto the couch. 'She still sees me as her baby, not a 17- well, 18-year-old (according to my new paperwork), who can make his own choices and decisions. Maybe not always the best ones yet, but now I have people around me that are more willing to let me make my own mistakes, and they don't care if I'm not perfect.' Luke rubbed his hands over his face and then sat up tall, he knew what he had to do. 'I'm not going to worry about it. If it comes up, it comes up, and if not, that's okay too. I will be calm if she says anything, and I will remember that I have a whole group of people who are my family standing behind me. I will be kind, but firm if I need to. And things will be okay, I'm going to believe that.' He nodded decisively once and got up to head back in the house where everyone was hanging out and relaxing. He had asked for a little time to himself, and they had all respected that, it was nice.
But, he paused, there were a few other things on his mind to sort out. Ever since he and Julie had talked in the studio after he got back from Canada, so many things had fallen into place, but so many thoughts were chasing each other around in his head. She said she loved him. It was still so unbelievable, but he was trying to accept it. As confident as he appeared, or tried to appear, he was just as insecure as any other 18-year-old boy, in love with an incredible girl he really thought was too good for him. Possibly more, what with him being a ghost that was mostly human again. 'Julie was everything.' That thought rang true, but also made him re-evaluate everything he had thought about himself. 'Music was always the only thing that mattered to me. Well, aside from the guys. I suppose a better way to put it is that it was the most important thing, outside of my friends. But. I meant it when I told Julie it didn't mean anything if it wasn't with her.' He spun back, away from the door, and resumed pacing. 'Things have happened so fast. I was a optimistic 17-year-old, ready to be offered a record deal and become famous all over the world, all of that taken away by a bad street dog. Boom, I was in a dark room for what felt like only an hour, but was really 25 years. And then Julie brought me back, brought us back. I love her. There's no question of that, but so many things have changed, I've changed.'
Luke ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath and trying to organize his thoughts. 'One: I love Julie. Two: I love my friends. Alex and Reggie, surprisingly Bobby again, and even Willie, he's great and he makes Alex so happy. Three: I also love Ray, and Carlos. I was an only child, and having a little kinda-brother is actually pretty amazing. It's also different to have an adult that just cares about me because he wants to, not because he's obligated, Ray does that. And I do love my parents, but my mom has always been a little controlling, and my dad, well. He's always tried to be there, but been more quiet, not as open with his support of me, like he's not quite sure how to express himself sometimes. Argh, why do I feel so restless right now?!' He froze, suddenly realizing exactly what it was. He was unconsciously humming a new melody, tapping his fingers against his leg as he paced. 'It's a new song! I should know better than to overthink things, music always clarifies my thoughts and feelings. Now, where's my guitar?'
Striding across the floor, he grabbed his acoustic and strummed a few chords. This is what he needed.
Everything just coalesced into a melody and lyrics for him, faster than almost ever before. This was for all the people in his family, the way they were there for him no matter what. It was like he could feel the song, the harmonies forming easily in his head. It wasn't exactly a duet, but he knew it could be, with Julie's insight and input.
"When love's a battle
And life's a war
When I just can't go on fighting anymore
When I'm surrounded
And they're closing in
When I feel the bullets graze against my skin
This world's a war zone
But I've got a shield
And I won't surrender
'Cause your love feels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Hey hey
If hate is poison then loves the cure
And it's you that drives the demons from my door
When they got me cornered
Close to giving in
Oh, I feel you round me like a second skin
This world's a war zone
But I've got a shield
And I won't surrender
'Cause your love feels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Through the flames and the fire I will go
'Cause I know, yeah, I know that I'm not alone
Through the flames and the fire I will go
'Cause I know, yeah, I know that I'm not alone
Oh, what a beautiful sight whoa
A hundred thousand soldiers in the sky whoa
I don't need to worry tonight
With you by my side, yeah
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels, angels, angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Like an army of angels
Through the flames and the fire I will go
'Cause I know, yeah, I know that I'm not alone
Through the flames and the fire I will go
'Cause I know, yeah, I know that I'm not alone"
All the people inside the house right now (and a few other places)? Well, they were there for him, and as he scribbled down the words and notes of this new song, his restlessness disappeared. This was the pure feeling, the expression of his thoughts, that he had been searching for, and getting it out of his head had settled him. He sent a quick prayer up to Rose, Julie's mom, thanking her for anything and everything she might have done that got him to this moment, and given him these people, and this family.
A/N: I don't know why I'm apparently kinda a little bit salty towards Luke's mom, but I can't seem to not be? I must be channeling Ray or something. *shrug*
The song is "Army of Angels" by The Script (basically one of my favorite bands EVER)