Find Our Way Back

Chapter 26

Like We Never Had a Broken Heart

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 "Like We Never Had a Broken Heart" performed by Trisha Yearwood.

Don't be afraid to hold me tight
You know I won't break in two
What we're doing here tonight
Sure beats what we're going through

We both loved and lost before
You know the sadness it can bring
Tonight let's close the door
And hold onto the nearest thing

Jake sat on the airplane with Jenny, "So what did mommy have to say?" Peyton had called their daughter just moments before they boarded.

"She just wanted to remind me to be good for Aunt Haley and Uncle Nathan."

"You're okay with this, right?" Jake looked at Jenny. She'd been super clingy since his trip to Graceland. And, while most would say she's a spoiled brat, Jake had decided to bring her along, only after she'd cried crocodile tears, begging him not to go. He'd told her that he might work with Aunt Haley and she'd flat out told him no. That had resulted in and argument and ultimately her joining him.

There had been a brief period during it all when he'd decided Jenny was right. It then resulted in a call to Haley saying he'd changed his mind. "I can't do this Haley."

"What? Why not? I thought Peyton was excited too."

"It's Jenny."

"She doesn't want to move?"

"No, she'd be okay with that. She doesn't want me to work with you."

"Really? What's up with that?"

"I found out last week when I got home from Graceland that Jenny thought I'd left hear and would never come back."

"But you'd never do that. You love your family."

"I know, but so did you. Jenny never understood why you left, but it made her sad. And now, I guess she's afraid you'll do it again, or because I'm working with you, I'd be the one to leave."

"I'm so sorry Jake. But you can't turn this down. I'll talk to Jenny, try to reason with her."

"It's worth a try."

Let's keep hangin' on
So we won't fall apart
Let's make love tonight
Like we never had a broken heart

Don't be afraid to close your eyes
Pretend I'm someone that you love
And I won't have to tell you lies
'Cause it's not you I'm thinkin' of

Haley stood with Nathan and Jimmy waiting for Jake and Jenny to step off the plane. Jimmy spotted them first, "Jenny!" he ran towards his new friend. During their short visit, Jimmy had grown quite fond of the eldest Jagelski.

Nathan greeted Jake, "How was your flight?"

"Fine. There was a crying baby half of the flight, but eventually he was silenced."

Jenny rolled her eyes, "It was SO annoying."

Haley chuckled, "Well, you're in luck, there's no crying baby at our house."

Jenny looked at Haley's tummy then leaned over and whispered to Jimmy, "But there will be."

Let's keep hangin' on
So we won't fall apart
Let's make love tonight
Like we never had a broken heart

Tonight we'll just pretend
We've been in love right from the start
Let's make love again
Like we never had a broken heart

At the house, Nathan drug Jake into the den to show him the plans for the property. Haley looked at Jimmy, "Why don't you go watch Nemo while Jenny helps me with dinner."

"Okay."

Jenny glared at Haley, "What if I don't want to help with dinner?"

"I thought we could have a little girl talk."

"I guess that would be okay," and she followed Haley into the kitchen.

"So, are you excited about maybe moving here?

Jenny's eyes lit up, "Yeah! Mom and daddy say we'll live next door to you and Uncle Nathan."

"You love Nathan a lot, don't you."

"Yep! He'd the best uncle. He came to visit all the time. And he told me secrets."

"Oh yeah? About what?"

"Mostly how sad he was," she looked Haley in the eye briefly then looked away, "and how he hoped he'd have a pretty little girl like me." She leaned in and whispered, "I'm his favorite. I told him I would be his little girl."

"That's really sweet Jenny," Haley had once asked Nathan about Jenny being his favorite of the Jagelski kids. He'd said it was because he could remember the two of them watching Jenny and smile. And that Jenny too had taken Haley's disappearance hard. "Nathan and your mom say you were pretty sad when I moved away."

Jenny looked at here again, "You didn't even say good-bye," she cried. "I loved playing with you and Uncle Nathan. And he didn't want to play for a long time. I missed him too."

"I am sorry for that Jenny, I really am. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I know that I wasn't."

"Are you going to do it again? I overheard mommy and daddy saying you'd left because you wanted to sing when you were in high school."

Haley silently wondered if they too feared she'd leave again. "I did. But that was wrong too." She smiled, "Is that why you were afraid of your dad doing this?"

Jenny whispered, "Yes."

Haley hugged the young girl, "Oh honey, your daddy will NEVER, ever, leave you. He may have to travel a little bit for work but he will ALWAYS come home."

"Are you sure?"

100. He loves you and your brothers and your mom so much. He can't imagine life without you in it," Haley whispered, "I promise you that I am never leaving again, and I promise to make sure your daddy never leaves either. Deal?"

"Deal."

"So, are you going to let your daddy sing with me?"

Jenny pretended to think about it, "I suppose so," she smiled and hugged Haley.

Oh, let's make love again
Like we never had a broken heart

Don't be afraid to close your eyes