I liked the way that Bailey's Song turned out so I wanted to write it again, this time from Bailey's point of view. So, this is virtually going to be a carbon copy of the first chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own either of the two songs, Cody, Bailey, or Moose nor do I own a Ferrari 599, though I wish I did. I do, however, own all of the citizens of Kettlecorn.
Bailey's Song (Remix)
"Bailey, you'll always hold a special place in my heart."
"Cody, you as well," I began. "But, this is where we say goodbye."
"I'll always love you Bailey," he said, tears forming in his eyes. "I hope I get the chance to see you again."
"I love you, Cody. I always have and I always will," I said, not bothering to wipe the tears from my face.
As Cody and I embraced, the memories, beginning in the hot tub, began to flow through me, making it harder to let go of the young man I had fallen in love with.
Tears streaming down my face, I walked onto the plane, not daring to turn around, knowing if I did, I wouldn't make it home.
'Goodbye, Cody.'
**Five Years Later**
Hello, my name is Bailey Pickett; I'm the one lawyer in my hometown of Kettlecorn, Kansas. If you haven't heard of Kettlecorn, then you probably blinked and were in Kettlepod before you knew it. Kettlecorn is a very small town; we have one gas station because very few of us drive far enough to use it but once every two weeks. We recently lost our mayor of the last fifteen years; the goose that had been mayor for that time died last month and our sheriff took over the mayoral duties, he is a human, by the way.
"Hi Bailey," came friendly voice from my office door.
"Hey, Moose," I said, a tad bit annoyed. "I told you, I'd call you when I finished my work here."
"But that was an hour ago."
"Moose, I need time. Being a lawyer isn't as cut and dry as working at the farm."
"Working at the farm isn't dry at all."
"It's, oh, never mind. Look, go do something, and I will call you when I am ready to go to the show. And, by the way, we're not dating, so I don't have to always let you know where I am."
"But, Bailey."
"Butts are for saddles," I said. "Leave me alone now, and I call you later before the show starts."
As Moose walks out, I can finally get back to my work. You wouldn't think it, but for a small town there sure is a lot of need for a lawyer. And, being the smartest person in the whole town, by a long shot I might add, just gives you more things to do. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I had turned around and ran back to Cody Martin the day I flew home to Kettlecorn to go to Kettlepod University, and be close to my family. Don't get me wrong, I love Ketlecorn, and I love Moose, but Cody had something that no guy I have ever known again had. I don't know what it was, but whatever it was, he definitely had it.
"Okay, finally finished," I said, to no one in particular.
The annual Kettlecorn Karaoke Party starts at 7:00, and it's only 5:00. I don't really feel like finding Moose yet, so I'm going to see Miss Betty, the, I guess, "team-mom" of Kettlecorn.
Miss Betty is an older woman that just loves everything about our small town. She is also the town's activity director. She sets up all of our town's celebrations, including the Karaoke Party.
I spent about an hour helping her set up everything for the Party.
"Bailey, child," she said. "You need to go home and get all prettied up for that special guy you're singin' your song to tonight."
"Oh, Miss Betty, there is no guy. I just like to sing for the fun of it."
"Stop talking nonsense, girl. I know for a fact there is a guy on your mind. Now, Bailey, are ya gonna tell me his name, or do I have to lock ya in here until ya tell me."
"Okay, Miss Betty," I said, defeated. "His name is Cody Martin. I met him on the school on the boat."
"Then, why in heaven's name, have you been in Kettlecorn for the last five years, child?"
"I love it here."
"Bailey, not only are you lying to me, you are lying to yourself. Listen, this town can get along without you, you need to find this boy."
"But, this is my home."
"Home is not where you were born. Home is where your heart is, and Bailey Pickett, you heart is with this Cody boy."
"Okay, Miss Betty, but I don't know where to find him."
"If you go looking for him, you will find him."
"Thank you, Miss Betty."
"Now, run along, and get prettied up for your song tonight."
"Okay," I said. "And, Miss Betty, thank you."
"You're welcome, Bailey."
As I walked back towards my house, I began to realize something. I realized, that even though I love Kettlecorn, my heart is somewhere else. The three stop signs, two traffic lights, and one gas station showed me that, while home is always with me, life is waiting for me to find it.
Everything about Kettlecorn was too predictable, everyone had either, a truck, or an old beat-up, rusty, piece of junk car. That was, until a soft, dark, navy blue Ferrari 599 slowly drove past me, toward City Hall, where the Party was.
I walked into the concert a little late, but when everyone in town knows you are one of the better singers in the show, they give up their seat, so you can have a good view.
The first ten or so songs were nothing special, but, then again, they never are. Eventually, the acts started to get better, as they always do and about ten after eight, I decided to go up and signup with Miss Betty.
"I've been waitin' on you Miss Bailey. What song are you singing for us this year?"
"It Only Hurts When I Breathe, by Shania Twain."
"One of my favorites. Okay, well, your up after Dylan finishes," she said with a smile.
As I started to sing, all I could think of was Cody. As I got into the song I let go and my emotions came pouring out. And, by the time I had finished, people all throughout the crowd were wiping their eyes, while mine were running all over my face.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," James Pike, the MC began. "The pride of Kettlecorn, Bailey Pickett! And, isn't it a wonder, guys, she's still single," causing me to blush a little bit.
After I walked down, Moose tried to comfort me, but I ran into City Hall and into the bathroom, where I cleaned up my face, regained my composure, and hoped that I could hold it together for the rest of the Party.
After about twenty or so more acts, young Jamie Pike, James' son, went up on stage and sang a song he had written himself.
While Jamie was singing, I noticed a young man dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, and tennis shoes go up to the sign-in booth and, after a lengthy talk with Miss Betty, started to wait his turn.
When Jamie finished, he walked off stage and handed the microphone to his dad.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this young man is from out of town, but I want you to give him a big Kettlecorn welcome."
A few cheers rang for him, and as he was setting up the stool and his guitar, I realized that it was Cody! Immediately, my eyes began to water, and as he started to sing I couldn't take it and got up and walked over to Miss Betty.
You fill up my senses
Like a night in the forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
During the first verse, a couple of the older gentlemen, including Miss Betty's brother, and brother-in-law took the other instruments, to back him up.
Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again
As the band started humming, Miss Betty asked me, "Is this the young Cody you were telling me about earlier?" All I could do was nod.
Let me give my life to you
Come let me love you
Come love me again
You fill up my senses
Like a night in the forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
As Cody finished his song, the crowd went crazy. As I watched him turn to walk off of the stage, I locked eyes with him. My eyes felt red and my cheeks were very damp, I must've looked like a mess. When he got off of the stage, he walked over to me and put his arms around my neck. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around his waist, cried into his chest, wanting this moment to last forever.
"I've missed you so much, Cody," I managed to choke out.
"I've missed you too, Bailey," he said, with a small crack in his voice.
I stopped crying long enough to look into the eyes I had fallen in love with so long ago. Staring into my eyes, he lowered his head and kissed me, not a long passionate one, but one just to let me know that I still had him.
"I'm tired of waiting, hoping, and praying for you to come back."
"Bailey," he said, letting go of me and getting down on one knee. "I don't have a ring, a big speech, or anything special, but," taking hold of my hand, "I love you. I have since the day you fell in the hot tub. I always have and I always will." And, as though summoning up all the courage in the world, he asked me the four words every girl dreams of hearing. "Bailey Pickett, would you marry me?"
All I could do was smile and nod, but that may have been all he needed.
Taking me in his arms, he told me, "I have some business to take care of about three hundred miles down the road."
Not wanting to lose him again, I said. "I wanna go with you, Cody. I've waited too long for this moment; I'm not letting you leave me again that easily. By the way, where are you staying?"
"I don't know," he said.
"You're staying with me," I said, quickly.
The next morning, I packed up a lot of clothes, and we went to "No-where-ville," Kansas. Even I had never heard of this little town! This "prodigy" he was sent to check out for a country music record deal, wasn't very good, but I have a feeling the long trip was definitely worth his while.
"Cody," I said, as we walked up to his apartment in Nashville. "I love you."
"I love you too, Bailey," he said, and, taking me in his arms under a light rain, he kissed me, and all the sadness from the past five years not having him with me, was washed away by the rain.
***********
A/N: I felt this tugging at me, so I decided to run with this one too.
"Annie's Song" is by the great John Denver, and "It Only Hurts When I Breathe" is by Shania Twain.
As always, read and review, constructive criticism is welcomed, but flames will be used to cook my soup. Any ideas are also welcomed, and thoughtful reviews with sincere questions might even be answered.
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