Chapter 11
Convincing Piper
Leo ran as fast as he could. His feet were aching from the force at which they hit the ground and his breathing was laboured but he couldn't stop. He was so close to the airport, it was only a few feet away and if he stopped for a break he wouldn't be able to get up again.
Suddenly, as he reached the table showing all the flight times he realised that he didn't know what flight Piper was on.
"Shit!" He cursed aloud turning away from the chart and spotting a small boy looking at him, mouth hanging open, eyes glazed over. "Erm, I mean…oh darn!"
He sighed loudly and closed his eyes, this couldn't be happening. Maybe she changed her mind and went back to the hotel. No, she was pretty clear the night before that she was leaving. Why did women have to be so complicated?
In a second he decided to go with his instincts. Turning back to the time table he saw the first flight that was leaving for San Francisco and started running toward gate 5. He ran to where a large group of people were queuing up, waiting to hand over their tickets.
"PIPER! PIPER!" He saw a pretty brunette turn to look at him as if he was crazy but when she saw who it was her facial expression softened and Leo could tell that she was trying not to smile.
"Leo, what are you doing here?" She asked extracting herself from the queue.
"You can't leave," he panted, out of breath from all that running.
"Leo please don't start," she begged.
"I lo-"
"No! Don't say it Leo. Don't make this harder." Piper looked at Leo, he was being so difficult. Didn't he realise that the sooner she left the sooner he could rebuild his life? He didn't love her! He couldn't have fallen in love with her in that short amount of time, right? She didn't love him. Or at least that's what she kept telling herself.
"I just…I want you to stay. I need you to stay." Leo was close to tears and when he looked up he saw that Piper was too.
"I can't stay here Leo," she tried to explain.
"I know you feel bad but we can make it work?" He was pleading with her now.
"No, it's not just that…I…I have a family and a job. I have a life there Leo; I can't just drop it all." They were both begging one another to give in.
"Why not? I love you." Piper sighed loudly.
"It's not that simple. I wish it was, but it's not." She paused as if she was going to say something but in the end all she said was: "I'm sorry."
Tears clouded her vision as she turned and began to walk away. She tried to hold back her sobs, there was a lump in her throat and her chest felt as though it was going to burst open at any moment.
"PIPER! PIPER!" She shook her head and reluctantly turned around to see Leo running towards her again.
"The way I see it," he began placing his hands on her shoulders so that she wouldn't walk away. "Is that it really is this simple. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you!"
"You've known me for a week Leo!" She protested. "You can't love someone in that amount of time."
"Well I do!" He yelled, trying to make her see, trying to get through to her.
Piper shook her head and turned to walk away once again. She wasn't making it very easy for him but then again he was making it difficult for her too.
"I was worried it might come to this," she heard Leo calla after her.
As she walked away she could have sworn that she could hear someone playing the guitar. Wonder where that's coming from she thought. Then it dawned on her. No! He wouldn't have! Slowly she turned around and saw them.
One of the men that Leo had danced with at the club, the one she had briefly encounter on their first meeting, the one that had called Leo Sparkle was standing with him, gently strumming a guitar. She had never heard the tune before but it was nice, then all of a sudden Leo started singing, she had never heard the lyrics to this song before either.
"I just wanna tell ya,
The feelings that I feel,
I'm just tryin' to convince ya,
That these feelings are so real
Yeah
I don't wanna be without you,
Don't even wanna try,
I'm gonna try and make you laugh,
Cos, darling' I hate to see you cry
And I just wanna say,
Your smile lights up my day,
Your laugh: music to my ears,
Let's not forget your perfect rear
Take a leap of faith,
Give this love a chance,
Stay here with me, it's love,
I'll give you a great romance
So gimmie a big ol' Piper smile,
Wipe away your tears, all gone,
Stay here with me, it's love,
Why else would I write this song?
And I just wanna say,
Your smile lights up my day,
Your laugh: music to my ears,
Let's not forget your perfect rear
Let's not forget your perfect rear"
Piper couldn't help but laugh, trust Leo to sing about her rear and in a public place. As she thought this she became aware of the clapping that was coming from the crowd of onlookers. Leo was blushing and she couldn't help but join him.
He walked over to her shyly. She tried to hide her smile but it was hopeless, as soon as he was near her she started grinning from ear to ear. Gently, he wiped her tears away.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too…but…"
Leo's face fell and Piper's heart suddenly broke.
"But…I still have to go."
She turned away, she couldn't' see the pain in his eyes. What was she doing? Why was she breaking his heart? Why the hell was she breaking her own heart? She whipped around to see Leo walking away with his head hung low, shoulder sagging and feet trailing along the ground. Most of the crowd had dispersed, feeling bad for watching Piper break someone's heart.
"LEO!" She screamed as loud as she could. "LEO!"
He stopped and turned around as Piper ran up to him and that's when she noticed. His cheeks were wet, he was crying. She had actually made him cry.
Lunging forward, she threw herself into his arms, kissing him passionately. He didn't protest. After an age they became aware of the need to breath and pulled apart. They were both grinning like Cheshire cats and this time it was Piper's turn to wipe away Leo's tears.
"No one's ever written a song for me before."
AN: Well, that was the last chapter folks, what can I say? I hope you've enjoyed it cos I've had a blast writing it! There's gonna be a sequel (hopefully)in thenear future but maybe a little later. I've got some good ideas.
Thank you everyone who reviewed last chapter, hell thank you everyone who reviewed any chapters! You really made me smile and I can't thank you all enough!
Please review and tellme what you think.