Part 2

Part 2

If you think that I don't love you, you're just wrong

And that don't matter now anyway

I couldn't bear to see you up there with a white dress on

Here's my vow to you

I'll stay away

That night, Hamilton couldn't sleep. Instead, he spent the early hours of the morning on the balcony of his southern California beach front apartment. The memory of her still lingered in his mind. It had been 13 years since he first met her, but the feelings were still the same. The wonderful times they spent together, repeating in his mind like a broken record. He looked out at the ocean, the waves crashing onto the shore. Unlike before, the tears were falling freely now, unabashedly and uncontrollably. He thought back to that day, that uncharacteristically warm October day in New York when he told Jake it was over. As he recalled the scene, he couldn't even remember why he did it. He lied to her, told her he didn't love her anymore, that he was "tired" of it all, and needed to see what else was out there for him. I don't love you anymore? What a lie. Good one Ham. Good one.

That conversation grew realer and realer in his mind. It was like he was there again, with her, destroying the only love he had ever known. He had broken her. He saw it now and knew from the beginning that he would, but it didn't stop him.

Jake cried softly and simply said, "Okay. Okay. I guess I can't keep you if you don't want me anymore. But I, I..."

Hamilton moved closer to her, but she stepped backed. Her bottom lip was quivering and drops of liquid fell onto her cheeks. Regaining her composure and finished her thought by saying, " I love you. But we both know I can't make you stay so..I'm just going to have to learn how to live without you."

She hugged him and looked into his piercing blue eyes one last time.

"Goodbye Jake," he whispered, gripping her tightly in his arms.

Emotions overpowering her, she sobbed deeply, "Goodbye Hamilton."

The memory made him groan in agony. He remembered her walking off without even turning back. That was the last time he ever saw her. Days after that, he moved to Los Angeles, where his photography career blossomed. But his success didn't make up for all he had given up. He had left Jake to find what else was out there for him. But he never found it. He had given her up--and she WAS what was out there for him.

I remember when in a lover's whisper you said

No other man would ever share your bed

Well we both know that's not been so

And I wish I'd never let you go now

You found a better man instead

I wish you health and wealth and a white house on a hill and I

I hope you raise a family

Little boy and a little girl, a little more joy in this little old world

Well, that'd be enough for me

Now here he was. Alone. Far away from everyone he loved. Everyone that mattered to him. Scout, Bella, Will...and Jake. He had just lost touch, calling and writing only on birthdays and holidays. Hamilton was lonely--he had brought it upon himself. He broke Jake's heart and cut himself off from the people that cared about him. Even though he knew it would hurt him, there was only one thing left to do. Go back. Go back and face her.