A/U: Hello guys, I'm sorry for the slow update. I hope you enjoy the second and final chapter of this two shot! Do note that I did use lyrics from the original song For Good for Scotty's little speech at the end, and that I do NOT own them. I also apologize for the ending - bleah. It was so weak. Suckish, really. I always suck at endings, this one's no exception. Sorry :( Oh, and to Bri - I'm so sorry I didn't include any of the others here. :( I wrote this whole thing before I posted chapter 1, it's just that my internet was acting up and I was unable to post. I'm really sorry if I disappointed you.
Well, other than that, enjoy!
He found her by the pool of their hotel, two days after they touched down in the Philippines. Her blonde hair blew around her face wildly as the wind tugged at the ends of her dress. Her tear-stained face was red and she kept sniffling every so often. His felt his heart break in two watching her cry. Such a beautiful human like Lauren should never deserve to be sad. He snuck behind her and gathered her in his arms. Lauren didn't even flinch. She just leaned into his embrace and sobbed some more.
"Baby?" Scotty's breath against her ear made her spine tingle, and she shivered, not necessarily because of the cold. "Tell me why you're cryin', baby, please." A soft demand, never a question. Scotty knew she would have told him eventually even if he didn't ask, but time was running short and he didn't know how long it would be before he could see her again after their flight back.
"Promise you won't laugh?" A question, never a demand. One of the rare moments when Lauren's insecurity would get the best of her. It was such a contrast to the girl that was bouncing off the walls two days ago, and Scotty immediately knew it was his job to get her back to normal.
"Baby, you're cryin'. That's never somethin' to laugh over," he soothed, stroking her hair.
"I'm just so sad." Even with these four words, Scotty could tell she was on the verge of crying again. He tightened his grip around her waist, kissing her shoulder. "I know, baby," he mumbled. "I am too."
"It's not just because this is our last night together-I mean who knows when we'll see each other again? I know I'm being melodramatic and that Pia's probably gonna organize a Idol reunion immediately or somethin', but who knows what might happen in between? I mean anything can happen, and if I lose any one of you then God knows what I'll do. At the beginnin' I was homesick for my family and stuff, but over time you guys became my family. And I just don't know what I'd do without y'all. And you, Scotty…" She chocked on her words, overcome with emotion. Scotty felt his heart break in two yet again, and squeezed his eyes shut, swaying them side to side.
"Baby, listen. Listen to me." He spun her around so that he could stare into her blue, blue eyes, sparkling with unshed tears. He lifted a hand to her face and caught one tear just as it fell.
"Lauren, we may never meet again in this lifetime, but let me just tell you this: You have changed me so, so much. You will always be with me, like a handprint on my heart. You've taken my heart and stamped 'Lauren Alaina' all over it. You've stolen it, but I don't want it back. I love you to death, and I always will, no matter where our paths end. And I mean every single word." Tears were now flowing freely from Lauren's eyes, but that didn't stop her as she leaned up and pulled Scotty into a soft kiss. Her lips melded with his and he tasted her salty tears as well as the sweet taste that was all Lauren. He probed her lips with his tongue, and she gladly granted him entrance. Their tongues met in a slow yet longing dance, as the teens were well aware of the fact that this might be their last kiss for some time. They pulled away from each other slowly, and Scotty opened his eyes to admire Lauren. Her eyes were still closed, and her expression was one of calmness and bliss, her previous worries being washed away when Scotty's lips touched hers.
Scotty rested his forehead against Lauren, causing her to open her eyes and smile the smile he wanted to see for the rest of his life. Not just in his dreams, but also preferably in real life.
"Lauren Alaina," he said, with the rich baritone voice Lauren had come to memorize, "because I met you, I have been changed for good. And don't you ever forget that."