Find Our Way Back
Chapter 24
Somewhere Out There
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine. The song in this chapter is "Somewhere Out There" performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. Then there's another song in here, "Can't Help Fallin' in Love with You," a classic by Elvis Presley.
Author's Note: To give you perspective, these songs have NOTHING to do with Jake and Haley hooking up as lovers…because that will NEVER happen in this story…but I really felt it fit this chapter, I hope you agree with me.
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Haley sat behind the wheel of her minivan, "So Peyton didn't want to come along?"
Jake looked at her from the passenger's seat, "No. She tolerates Elvis music, but she hates any other Elvis talk. I appreciate you doing this with me."
"Are you kidding? Elvis is GOD! I love coming up here." Looking sideways at her friend she asked, "So, any decision yet?"
"We're weighing our options, but it's looking like we're going to move."
"That's great Jake! I've missed talking to you, just as much as Peyton."
"The last time we really talked was right before you told Nathan you were leaving. And if I'm not mistaken, you ignored my advice."
"I know, and that was a mistake. But even then, I respected your opinion, because you always have this amazing ability to make me look at the situation from a different angle."
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
"Are you happy this time Haley?" Jake asked after a few moments of silence.
"I was happy last time too."
"Were you really?"
"Are you trying to pick a fight with the only person who was willing to go to Graceland with you Mr. Jagelski?"
"No, it was just an observation."
"Please, elaborate," Haley pushed with curiosity.
"It's just that the Haley James-Scott I've seen the last few weeks isn't the same Haley James-Scott I knew five years ago." Jake watched her out of the corner of his eye. He interpreted her silence as an okay to continue.
"Five years ago, I guess it's closer to six years, but anyway, that girl was happily married to the man of her dreams, and had been for five years. But I saw something that most people either didn't see or chose to ignore. There was a level of sadness tucked away under that happy exterior. After our conversation, I began to wonder. I never shared my concerns with anyone, but I had a feeling there was something more. And it always baffled me that tow of the most caring, loving people I knew remained childless through five years of marriage. But I never figured out what you were hiding."
Haley sighed, this was what she had missed, "I was scared. Time and time again Nathan turned down career opportunities because of me and our relationship. I was afraid that he'd live to regret his choices and hate me for it."
"So, you really left because you wanted Nathan to play basketball?"
"He's so talented. I couldn't let him throw that away. But I was the one that ended up with regrets."
"Because of Jimmy?"
"Even before I knew I was pregnant. I missed him do much, but I didn't know how to go back."
"Do you think that if you'd had Jimmy a year or two earlier things would be different?"
"Of course," Haley pause a minute before continuing, "but that never would have happened."
"Did you not want kids?" Jake asked surprised.
"No, nothing like that. We talked about kids all the time. And I finally convinced Nathan that we should wait until after college."
"Why wait?"
"You have to promise that what I'm about to tell you never leaves this car."
"Of course," Jake reassured her, "You can tell me anything."
"Dan threatened me,"
"He what! Does Nathan know?"
"No, that was part of the threat, that I could NEVER tell Nathan, or Lucas, about our conversations. He said that Nathan's life would be ruined if we were to have any kids at that point in our lives. And that if I allowed myself to get pregnant, he'd make sure that the rest of my waking days would be hell."
"What an asshole."
"Yeah, you're telling me. I was so jealous of you and Peyton. With Jenny and then baby Jacob. Sure, things were difficult at times, but your home was so full of love."
"So you didn't go to Nathan with your pregnancy because of Dan? God, he's the one who ruined his son's life."
"Dan was part of it, but it was also something Nathan had said. He was afraid of being a parent while in the NBA. He didn't want to be like his mom, traveling all the time."
"He would've made it work, had he known."
"I know that, and you know that, but I don't know that he would've known that. Because he did exactly what I knew he'd do if I came back, he quit basketball. I didn't want that for him either. So, instead, I told Jimmy everyday that his daddy loved him."
Jake let the conversation stop at that. He knew that Haley made some good arguments. He'd been there with Nathan through the years, and was witness to his breakdowns more than once. Talking about wanting a family, and quitting the NBA and finding Haley, begging her to take him back. But, not much of that matters anymore because they're together now and happy.
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
After hours of wandering around Graceland, Haley understood completely why Peyton didn't come along. She also silently cursed her friend for not giving her a heads up. But she had to admit she'd had a great time. Jake was a never-ending fountain of Elvis impersonations and tidbits of scarcely known information.
They sat in a small bar, just off the premises, eating dinner before heading back. The crowd of people surrounding them and the fact that he had to yell to talk to her didn't seem to phase Jake and his stories though. He was telling her something about Elvis's twin brother when suddenly they heard it.
Haley looked at Jake who said, "That's NOT Elvis singing."
They'd been listening to Elvis music all day, and being a small Elvis fan herself, Haley knew Jake was right. in fact, whoever was singing really sucked.
They both looked towards the front of the bar where a small stage was set up, "Karaoke," they groaned in unison.
"You know," Jake began, "There's a reason karaoke is only done in dark bars, because you'd have to be pretty drunk to willingly listen to this crap."
Haley shook her head in agreement. Then she had an idea, "Hey, do you still sing?"
"What?"
"You once sang at the café. Do you still do that?"
"My kids and Peyton are the only ones who hear me."
"Well, if my memory serves me correctly, you were good."
"I'm okay I guess," Jake paused, "Wait…"
She nodded her head towards the stage, "How 'bout we show them how it's done."
"You mean actually get up there and sing? No way James."
"Oh yeah. We'll pick an Elvis song, of course, to turn into a duet. That way, if we do suck, at least we can suck together."
"Can't Help Falling In Love," Jake blurted before he realized what he'd done.
"Perfect," Haley agreed. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up front.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Jake mumbled as they stood by the stage waiting. After Haley told the DJ their selection, Jake whispered, "We could sneak out the back. We don't have to do this."
"Yes we do," she smiled, "It's our turn now."
The DJ announced them, "Now for something a little different. We have a duet. Ladies and gentlemen, Jake and Haley singing, Can't Help Falling In Love."
Jake knew this song by hear, he didn't need the words scrolling across the screen in front of him, "Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can't help falling in love with you."
Haley picked up the next part, "Shall I stay, would it be a sin. If I can't help falling in love with you."
Their voices blended perfectly as Jake cut back in, "Like a river flows, surely to the sea. Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be."
Haley grinned at Jake, "Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you."
Jake took her hand, adding to the performance, "Like a river flows, surely to the sea. Darling so it goes,
some things are meant to be."
Together Jake and Haley finished of the song, their voices sounding as if they were meant to be together, "Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you. For I can't help falling in love with you."
Haley smiled at him as they walked off the stage, applause thundering around them, "You were great," she told him.
"I had a great partner," but Jake knew she was right.
The bar's owner approached them, "That was amazing. Never, in all the years we've had karaoke, have I seen a performance like that. Do you perform together often?"
"Actually, that was a first," Haley told him.
"I never would have guessed. You must at least be a couple then, with chemistry like that."
Jake laughed, "Actually, no. We're both married, to other people. We're just old friends."
"Sorry to hear that, you'd make a great team," he walked away shaking his head.
Jake and Haley paid their bill and quietly slipped out the back.
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
It was Jake who broke the lengthy silence first, "I'm sorry I laughed when h e asked if we were a couple. You're a wonderful person, but, well, it's just that…"
"Peyton's the only one for you. I know. Sure," Haley shrugged her shoulders, "you're hot and all, and you have all those high school girls and their teachers who want to jump your bones," she snickered at Jake's face, "but I have my own hunk, who just happens to be a celebrity." She playfully hit Jake, "Don't worry about it, I wasn't offended. Peyton's lucky to have you."
"Thanks for bringing me here today Haley. It was just as awesome as I imagined."
"No problem. That's what friends do." With that, the car fell silent once again.
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
It was Haley who broke the silence this time, "You know, that guy made a good point."
"What about us being a couple?" Jake grinned.
"No you doofus. About us making a great team. You have an awesome talent. You should put it to use."
"Are you trying to be my Chris Keller? First you compliment my music, convincing me I could be more. Then you try to seduce me. And when that doesn't quite work, convince me to pursue my dream, laving my spouse behind?" He saw a small tear roll down her face and knew he'd hit a nerve. "I'm sorry Haley, I shouldn't have said that. I went too far, I know you'd never do that to me, or to Nathan, or Peyton, or even to yourself. I'm sorry."
"You're right, I wouldn't. Not all of it anyway. Part of what's preventing the move is your lack of a job, right. I have a meeting next week about ideas for the next album. I'll be going into the studio sometime this fall, after the baby's born. Your house could be done by then, in time for the kids to start school. Just think about it."
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true