Thanks To You!

*Jacks P.O.V*

Alex looked at me. there was no expression on his face. He stood silent. Melody however, pushed past her father and engulfed me in a great hug. Upon letting go, she smiled up to me, giving me a slight wink before pulling me inside.

‘Jack, where did you end up to yesterday? I wanted to apologise for how I acted in the bathroom.’ Alex said following me into the living room. I handed out my hands and Alex smiled softly as he took the bear and flowers.

‘It’s okay Alex. Please, take a seat. I have things to explain.’ I said taking a seat across Alex. I pulled the guitar to my front, taking a big breath in.

‘I need you to just listen, just for now. Everything that has happened in my life has been a bunch of fucked up events. After Tyler, I didn’t or couldn’t comprehend how I was going to move on without him and how his presence wasn’t no more. Then one day, out of the blue, I was told that I will be getting a roommate. At first, I was so opposed to the idea, I was so happy with being a loner and a nerd but then I saw you. You sat in the hallway, staring back at me for a split second before I hid away. In that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that you were going to be someone important in my life.

Then life started speeding up, it was emotionally draining fighting internally with myself whether to trust you or not that first time I spoke to you, but I am so glad I did. Then we dated on and off before you decided you were going back to England. That hurt. I remember feeling very angry and frustrated at you for leaving, just like Tyler did, but I definitely understand why you did. They school was super against us being together for so long and I guess if I had the option to move away, I would have too.

When the reunion came around, I wasn’t sure if I could face you for the first time in ages, and especially with who I was dating. That thought only lasted for not even a minute because I thought I was happy with where I was in life. Then I saw you, standing in the group, catching up with everyone and smiling uncontrollably as you listened to every word being said. I’m sure it was shocking to you that I was with Vic and I’m sorry you had to see that. It was not pretty by the end of it as you know.

I am totally grateful for what you have done for me over these many years and I think there is only one thing I can do that will really show you how much you mean to me, how much I really love you and how much you and Melody make my life the best thing there is to exsist. I am so thankful to have you both in my life.

First, I want to sing you a song. This took me an entire night to write, so if it sounds shit or lyrics don’t work well, you know why. Um, the song is called ‘A Love Like War’.

As I started strumming into the song, Alex wiped away tears from his eyes and reached for his daughters hand, gripping tightly on as he held his breath for the lyrics.

I sung, slowly and unsure at the beginning, my voice breaking as I didn’t want to look up but once I got the chorus, I looked Alex in the eyes and sung;

‘Heart's on fire tonight
Feel my bones ignite
Feels like war, war
Feels like war, war
Heart's on fire tonight
Feel my bones ignite
Feels like war, war
Feels like war, war
We go together or we don't go down at all
We go together or we don't go down at all
We go together or we don't go down at all, whoa’

I couldn’t even finish the song as Alex leapt towards me, engulfing me in a hug. He moved away and took the guitar of my lap. He handed it to his daughter and she walked away, grabbing the hint that he and I needed some time to just talk to each other.

‘Jack. I need you to know how much I love you. But I think you already know.’ He said as he sat on my legs. He faced me, smile beaming.

‘Alex. My sweet Alex. I am so sorry for everything I have done to cause you pain. I really want to make it up to you. Will you come for a drive with me? I want to take you somewhere.’

‘Of course. Let me get changed.’ Alex leaned in and kissed my lips sweetly, so softly. He moved himself off before walking away towards his bedroom.

I heard the patter of feet head my way and as I turned my head, Melody looked to me with the widest smile. She walked over to me as I stood up and wrapped her arms around my torso. I hugged her back and told her how much I loved her. She expressed the same love before letting go.

‘Thank you.’ She said. I smiled and nodded to her.

‘Do you think you can teach me that song one day?’ She asked.

‘Of course, I can. Maybe one day I can finish playing it for you too, if your father doesn’t interrupt me again.’ I poked.

‘I couldn’t bear to listen to it any longer. It was already perfect and plus, if I remember correctly, I was the one who wrote you a song first.’ Alex bit back.

‘Which was also an amazing song, which your dad will have to play for you one day too.’ I said, looking at Melody.

‘Well, let’s get going. Ah, first do you mind if we take Melody to mums?’ Alex asked.

‘Not a problem. Let’s go!’ I said walking at the door.

*Alex’s P.O.V*

Jack drove us to mums where Melody became hesitant to leave because he claimed she had to join us on our outing. On our date. I felt like a child, headed out on their first date, but other than nagging parents, it is a nagging 8-year-old daughter.

Melody finally gave in and got out the car, after much convincing from mum, Jack and me. We finally departed from the house and headed in a direction which was very familiar.

‘May I guess where we are going?’ I questioned.

‘I don’t want answer because it isn’t hard to guess.’ Jack replied, smiling lingering his lips.
‘Hearts on fire tonight, feels my bones ignite, feels like war, feels like war.’ Alex sung. His beautiful voice echoed through the car.

‘Wow, Alex. Your voice is still perfect after all these years.’

‘Thanks Jack. You know, they are good lyrics Jack. I do want to hear that song in full one day.’

‘They sound much better coming from your lips.’

‘Stop it.’

‘But your voice could put me to sleep. It’s so angelic. Were you send from God to bless me with your heart and soul? Plus, a beautiful singing voice? That’s an entire package and I’m the one who collected it.’

‘Okay, seriously Jack. Stop. I love that but boy, keep that for the bedroom.’ I laughed.

Jack winked and puckered his lips to me before he pulled into a park stop. We both hopped out and looked towards the school. Jack held his hand out towards me and I accepted it, lacing my fingers between his. We walked, looking to buildings, places in the yard that were significant to us and our story.

We reached the back of the school and looked at the hole in the fence. I laughed and remembered the first time I crawled through there.

‘This was the first place I heard you laugh.’ I said.

‘I know, you were so shocked about what I was doing.’ Jack laughed again.

‘Then just down there, was where you first spoke to me, where you said hi.’

‘Shall we?’ Jack said leading the way.

We walked on the trail, following it to our stump. Of course, over the years, it had started to decay so it was safe to say it was too brittle to sit on now. Though, luckily there was another fallen tree just a bit further. Jack and I both sat ourselves down on the tree, facing the old one.

‘The amount of times we have just sat there, in silence, in each other’s company, made it all worth missing important classes.’ Jack said.

‘It really was.’ I said, looking to Jack. I moved forward and kissed his cheek before Jack looked to me. We shared a sweet kiss before we sat in silence for a little while.

It was peaceful, with little bits of chatter here and there before Jack became restless. He kept putting his hand in the pocket of his jacket before removing it again. He seemed to be debating something for a while now and I finally had enough.

‘Jack, is something wrong?’ I questioned.

‘Nothing is the matter, my love. I am just thinking.’

‘Thinking about?’

‘Well…’ Jack said. He jumped down into the empty river bed and looked at me. ‘For the four years you were in jail, I was thinking of the perfect way to do this. I knew I had to show you how special you were to me, how much I was grateful for what you did and how sorry I am for what happened. Know that this isn’t why I am doing this, I am doing this because I love you so much and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

I wanted the first place we ever had a conversation which sparked our lives as we know it to be the place where I ask you to marry me. i want this place to be one of the best places you have ever been, with many memories associated to it.

So, Alex Gaskarth, will you marry me?’ he said kneeling down on his knee.

‘Yes!’ I yelled. I jumped down and engulfed him in a hug.

‘Just because I knew you were going to jump down on me, I didn’t get the ring out. Do you want to see it?’ Jack asked. I nodded my head as I let him go. He stood up, pulled a pick box out of his pocket and removed a ring from within.

A black band looked towards me, one that was engraved with ‘Oh, Calamity’ and the initials ‘J+A’ on the inside. I smiled to it as Jack grabbed my hand and placed the ring on my finger.

‘I love you so much Jack! Oh, my God. It is so perfect! Just like you!’ I said. I moved towards him and kissed him strongly. His hands moved around my waist as our kiss became more passionate. As much as the urge was strong, we moved away from each other and smiled.

‘I love you too Alex. I hope I have finally proved this to you. I can’t live without you anymore Alex.’ Jack said.

‘Let’s take a picture of this perfect moment.’ I said pulling my phone out my pocket. I moved it in front of us, both smiling widely as I snapped a picture. I took another of Jack kissing my cheek before putting the phone away.

‘Well, shall we go tell the most important lady in your life this incredible news?’ Jack said.

‘Oh, she is going to cry so much! Let’s go!’ I said, pulling Jack away from the most precious place on earth.

Notes

So it is not the 3rd of January as you are aware but I have not left you all hanging for three months like previous times. i am so sorry that I couldn't get it up on time.

I am thinking about maybe writing two more chapters instead of one. Let me know what you think!

Again, i'm sorry!

Thank you! <3