Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 7

After Julie admired Amanda's ring and convinced her multiple times how beautiful and perfect it was and that she was indeed happy for her, she took her glass of wine and went out onto the patio off the front room of the house.  She shut the sliding glass door behind her and looked up at the stars as she took a sip of her wine.  She knew Panda wanted her to spend more time with them tonight, but it was too hard right now.  She needed some fresh air and some time alone.  After she took another drink of her wine, she set the glass on the table, rubbed her hands over her face, and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.  She had fought her emotions so hard since she'd pulled herself together after the break up.  Julie knew she was doing it, but it felt less painful.  She avoided watching anything on One Direction or listening to any of their music.  Harry had written some songs while they were on break from the tour.  She'd heard their new stuff.  There was one song in particular he had wanted her to hear.  The tour was going to start back up in a couple of weeks when he brought the track to her.  She closed her eyes as the memory returned.

"Hey, baby."  Harry had said when he walked into her room.  She was sitting in bed reading.  It was late.  Or real early in the morning.  He walked over and kissed her and then sat on the bed beside her.  "So, we recorded a song today.  I'd like you to hear it.  It's something I thought about before we left to start the tour, and something that I finished after I knew you were ok but still in the hospital.  Think you're up to hearing it now?"

Julie closed her book and set it aside.  "Sure, babe.  You sound excited about it."

"I am.  I can't wait for you to hear it.  Wonder who my inspiration was?"  He laughed and plugged the ear phones into his phone so she could hear the song better.  Before playing the song, he told her, "It's called 'If I Could Fly'.  It's very honest."  He let her put the ear buds in and then played the song.  He watched her intently to gauge her reactions.

Julie looked down at her hands as the song began playing.  His beautiful voice filling her ears as soon as the song started.  But the lyrics.  Jesus, the lyrics.  It was a combination of them both.  From beginning to end, the song was them.  Tears fell from her eyes almost from the first word.  He was truly incredible at what he did.  But that song.  She didn't know what to say.  When it ended, she slowly took the ear buds from her ears, but she couldn't say anything.  She was still trying to form thoughts.  All she could do was feel right now.  Her heart, she couldn't believe something like that had been written for her.  After a few minutes, she felt fingers lifting her chin so she lifted her eyes to Harry.  "I don't know what to say."  She sniffled.

Harry smiled at her and wiped a tear off her cheek with his thumb.  "You don't have to say anything, baby."  He leaned over and kissed her lips again and rested his forehead on hers.  "I just hope you like it."

"Like it?  Harry, it's beautiful.  Even if I hadn't lived the story, it's beautiful.  This song is going to be a favorite and touch so many hearts and souls.  The melody, the lyrics, your voices."  She couldn't help but start crying harder.  "Ok, there will be lots of tears."

Harry took her hands in his and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.  He lifted one of her hands and pressed his lips to it, holding it there for a few moments while they sat in silence.  "You know that whenever I'm away, I really wish I could come home to you, right?  I'd truly give up anything if you asked me to.  We've talked about taking a break, and I really think we're going to after this tour."

"Harry, I'd never ask you to give that up for me.  Never." She reached up with her hand and wiped the stray tear that fell onto his cheek.  "It's who you are.  I'd never ask you to change that."

"I know you wouldn't."  He took her hand from his cheek and kissed it again.  "But I'd do it anyway.  I want to."  He pulled her up so he could sit on the bed and lean against the head board behind her.  He wrapped her in his arms.  "I know you've been the one hiding your heart for the most part.  But I don't share mine with just anyone.  I've shown it completely to you.  I am completely defenseless when it comes to you.  I want you to know that no matter how lonely you've ever felt that I'm there for you.  My heart is yours."