Hey guys! So I figured it would be good to write a reflective chapter on how much these two have grown since the beginning of their story, and I really hope you enjoy it as it was nice writing about Noah and Lily like this (particularly Noah's bit). As always, please vote/comment if you do like it. I appreciate them all so much! :)
Photo: Lily
Lyrics used in this chapter: The Heart of Life is Good, by John Mayer
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Lily POV:
Stepping out of the club, I took a breath of fresh air and smiled. There was a light breeze as I leant on the railing and looked out over the city. People were laughing and joking on the street below as they passed by, and the night was clear.
The wind whipped my hair over my shoulders and I couldn't think about anything else other than Noah, the annoying guy who had gotten under my skin, however hard I had tried to not let him in. But now, I couldn't imagine him not being there and it scared me a little.
I smiled and looked over my shoulder as a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, interrupting me from my thoughts. "Hey gorgeous, you ready to go?" Noah whispered in my ear, leaning in to my back to shield me from the cold.
"Yeah I'm ready," I nodded, taking one last look at the city lights. "You know, I've never realized how beautiful the city is at night."
"It's certainly something," Noah said, unwrapping his arms from my waist and placing them either side of me on the railing, his back still pressed against me. "But let's get you home, your starting to shiver and I can't be having that now can I?"
Pushing off from the railing, I turned around to face him. He was staring down at me with a look in his eyes that still made my heart flutter even after all this time, and he didn't take his eyes off me as he shrugged out of his jacket and placed it over my shoulders, pulling me close in the process.
I smiled softly as he bent down and kissed me on the forehead, reaching down to take hold of my hand. "Who would've thought it?" I laughed, "The self confessed player is a real softie underneath it all."
"Only for you," he smiled, leading me down the stairs until we reached the sidewalk.
"What about the others?" I asked, wondering where everyone else was.
"They should be out any second," Noah said, glancing up towards the entrance to the club just as Jackie, Jen, Dean and Dick came tumbling out, laughing loudly. "Here they are."
"Guys!" I shouted, waving from the bottom of the stairs. "Down here."
They all walked down the stairs quickly, huge smiles on their faces. "This was a great night!" Jackie said happily, slapping Noah on the shoulder. "Thanks for suggesting it guys. We really needed to let loose after planning the wedding for months on end, right honey?"
"Damn straight," Dick nodded, slipping his arm around Jackie's waist protectively. "Nothing better than a few beers and a dance with my beautiful fiance."
I smiled as a faint blush crept across Jackie's cheeks as she looked up at Dick with love in her eyes. It was the same look Noah had given me when he had dragged me in to the fountain earlier, and the thought made my smile grow, the happiness flooding through me.
"So shall we go home?" Jen said. "It's getting kind of cold out here and unfortunately for me, I don't have a loving boyfriend to lend me his jacket."
"You can cuddle up to me if you want," Dean grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "I wouldn't mind."
"I think I'd rather be cold," Jen retorted, shaking her head at me and smiling before starting to walk in the direction of home.
Dean darted after her, smirking at us as he walked past. "It's kind of fun getting her mad. I'm gonna see how many times I can do it before we reach the apartments."
"Good luck with that," I laughed.
"You know she will slap you in the face," Noah shouted after him, shaking his head at Dean as he stepped up to Jen and threw his arm over her shoulder.
"I don't know if it's just me," Dick said as we walked together. "But I'm kind of hoping he does get slapped. Or at least punched."
"Seconded," Jackie laughed. "That guy deserves an ass kicking. He's too annoying for his own good."
"Yep. Although that's just Dean, he wouldn't be the same if he wasn't the annoying pleb he always is," Noah smiled, affection running through his words.
Jackie and Dick laughed as they passed us on the sidewalk and walked in front, hand in hand. I felt Noah put his arm on my shoulder and stop me from walking. Looking up at him, I saw the familiar gleam in his eye as he grinned at me.
"Remember the last time we were here?" He said, taking a step past me and stepping in front, his back to me.
I grinned as the memory entered my mind; Noah giving me a piggy back, when he hadn't even known me very well. It seemed like so long ago, but the way he was smiling at me now over his shoulder, I knew it was a memory I would never forget.
"Well?" He laughed. raising his eyebrows. "What's say we do it again?"
And this time, I didn't even have to think about it. Laughing, I pulled up my dress so it was mid-thigh and I jogged forward, hopping on to his broad back. His hands caught me but he stumbled forward slightly, a small cry coming from his lips.
"Jeez," he chuckled. "You're a bit heavier than I remember."
"Heyyy!" I said, slapping him lightly on the head. "Maybe you're just weaker college boy, did you ever think of that?"
He laughed and hoisted me higher on his back. "Oh come on Lily, I've never heard anything so ridiculous," he smirked, eyeing me over his shoulder. "My strength knows no bounds."
"Uh, wasn't it you that almost dropped me?" I laughed against his back, wrapping my arms around him.
"Yeah, uh, lets just forget that happened shall we?" Noah muttered under his breath.
"GUYS!" Jackie shouted a way in front of us, Jen, Dean and Dick standing next to her. They were all smiling at us and waving us over, so I threw out my hand and pointed towards them.
"Onward, my faithful steed!" I yelled, attracting a few curious glances from passers-by. And the wonderful thing was, I didn't even care.
I felt Noah laugh as he walked towards them, and I couldn't help but notice that his hands were slowly getting higher on my legs, towards my ass. Smiling, I shook my head but didn't say anything, just savoured the feeling of being as happy as I was right at that moment.
"You know, that's not such a bad idea," Dick grinned as we reached them.
He turned towards Jackie and raised his eyebows, a gleam in his eye. "Whaddya say honey? Fancy a ride?"
"Why not?" she laughed, leaping on to his back when he turned around for her. "This should be a regular thing. Faster than getting a taxi."
"So I have to walk with two couples getting piggy backs down a packed street, filled with people giving you guys weird glances," Jen smiled. "Awesome."
"Hey now," Dean laughed, stepping in front of her and holding his arms out. "What's say we get in on this. I promise I won't drop you."
"I'm not that heavy," Jen muttered, eyeing Dean behind his back. "Oh what the hell? Might as well."
"That's the spirit," Noah laughed as Jen climbed on to Dean's back.
I looked at over and I couldn't help but notice the small smile on his face. He had wanted Jen to say yes, and looking at the same exact smile on Jen's face, it was obvious that she had wanted to say yes too. Suddenly, the smile vanished and Jen looked up at me, her eyebrows raised.
"Dean!" She said softy. "Get your hand, off my ass before I slap you."
"Oh," Dean said innocently, looking over his shoulder at her. "My bad, my hands seem to have a mind of their own."
We all burst out laughing as Dean shrugged, trying to his hardest to look innocent. "Well lets get going," Noah smiled. "I think we're actually blocking the sidewalk."
Noah stepped forward and walked past taking the lead. I snuggled in to his back and hugged him tight, the wind whipping against my back. Putting my head on his shoulder, I blew in his ear softly and laughed when he let out a small cry of surprise and rubbed his head on his shoulder rather vigorously.
"That tickles," he mumbled, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at me. "Hey, um, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," I nodded, still resting my head on his shoulder. "You can ask me anything."
"Well, I just wondered if I, uh, could maybe stay with you tonight?" He mumbled, sounding a little nervous. "I mean it's okay if you say no, it's just because I have to sleep in Dean's room and - "
"Of course you can stay with me," I said quickly, interrupting him. "I was going to ask you, but it looks like you beat me to it."
"Oh," Noah breathed, sounding relieved. "Great! Well when we get back, I'll go to mine first and get changed and everything, and then I'll come knock on your door."
"I'll just leave it open an inch so you can come on in when your ready," I smiled, happy that I didn't have to say goodbye to Noah tonight.
And as I snuggled against his back, feeling his warmth, I couldn't help but think of how so many things had changed. Noah, the guy I had thought was an arrogant player, had turned out to be the guy who could make me smile.
And make me forget.
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Noah POV (Half an hour later):
I stepped in to Lily's apartment quietly and shut the door. The lights were all off except for a small lamp in the corner of the living room. Walking silently across the hardwood floor, I reached Lily's bedroom door and knocked softy.
"Lily, it's me," I whispered, hearing snoring coming from Jen's room on the opposite side.
A couple of seconds later, Lily opened the door and smiled at me. I was pleased to see that she was wearing the glasses that I found extemely sexy on her. Her wavy hair was falling over her shoulders and she was wearing grey sweats and a white vest top. And she looked beautiful. My mind fashed back to Lily in her red dress, but seeing her standing here in front of me now, she looked perfect
"Hey gorgeous," I whispered, grinning at her and pointing in the direction of Jen's room. "How the hell does she fall asleep so quickly?"
"I have no idea," Lily laughed softly, "She's like a sleep ninja. I've seriously never met anyone who can fall asleep so fast. She's got a real gift."
"Some people have all the luck," I smiled, stepping in to Lily's bedroom and shutting the door behind me. "I'm not feeling tired at all."
"Me neither," she said, dive bombing the bed and landing next to her laptop that was by the pillows.
"Graceful," I chuckled, walking over and sitting next to her, peering over her shoulder as she sat up and typed something in to the computer.
As I caught a sneaky glance I saw my name on the screen and I placed my hand on the small of her back, leaning further forward; curious as to what she was doing. "Is that my name I see?" I whispered in to her ear, laughing when she cried out and threw her arms over the screen.
"Don't look," she muttered, giving me a dirty look over her shoulder. "And no, that wasn't your name, it was, uh, umm..."
I chuckled as she tried to find an excuse, but she just sighed and frowned at me, a look of resignation in her eyes. "I'm sending an email to my aunt Flo in Indiana. She, uh, kind of asked me about you."
"Really?" I smirked. "And what are you telling her about me? Impossibly handsome, charming, debonaire - "
"Oh jeez," Lily rolled her eyes, shaking her head at me. "Actually I was telling her that your rather messy, you tell bad jokes etc..."
I shook my head in mock anger as she pressed the send button and put the laptop on the floor. As soon as she turned around to face me, a sly grin on her face, I pounced. Shooting forward, I pushed her down on the bed and leant down over her, a smile of satisfaction on my face.
I took a breath as I looked at her, the way her golden hair was spread out under her, the rose coloured tint on her cheeks. Leaning down, I kissed her on the lips for a brief second before pulling away and smiling at her.
"Play something for me Lily," I whispered, leaning over her.
"Now?" She asked, a look of surprise on her face. "We'll wake the neighbours. Jen as well, and trust me, you do not want to wake her up or she'll go all incredible hulk on you."
I laughed softly and brushed a strand of hair away from Lily's face. Suddenly, an idea popped in to my head and I jumped off her. "Then we'll have to go somewhere else," I smiled, walking over to Lily's jacket that was on her desk and throwing it to her.
"I can just play for you tomorrow," Lily smiled, a slightly bemused look on her face.
"No," I shook my head, taking a hold of her hand and pulling her off the bed. "I need to hear you play tonight Lily."
I smiled at her and nodded towards the guitar sitting in the corner of her room. "You take that, and I'll take this."
Reaching behind her, I grabbed hold of the blanket lying on top of the bed and pulled it off in one swift move. Tucking it under one arm, I watched as Lily grabbed the guitar and walked up to me. "Okay, so where are we going?" She asked.
Taking her hand, I led her through the darkened apartment and out in to the deserted hallway. "We're going to the place that I first knew," I smiled.
"Knew what?" She asked, looking up at me curiously.
"That you were my girl," I whispered, looking in to those grey eyes that made me catch my breath every time I looked in to them.
I just watched as she reached up with her hand and stroked my cheek softly, her eyes misty. "I'm always your girl," she smiled, standing on tiptoes to kiss me on the lips gently.
As I kissed her, I took her hand and entwined our fingers. Without another word, I led her up to the roof, the place that had become very special to me. Opening the door, a gust of wind shot past, causing me to shiver.
Taking a breath, I pulled Lily over to the battered old couch that was at the far side. Placing the blanket down, I reached behind and switched on the fairy lights that someone had put up here. The lights flickered on and dimly bathed the space in a faint light.
"Just like I remember," I smiled, looking over at the last place Lily had been, but she wasn't there.
Standing up and turning around, I saw Lily leaning against the far wall with her guitar, watching me with a small smile. "I guess this our spot now huh?" She said, looking up at the sky.
I nodded, lowering myself on to the couch and sitting down. "Our spot," I repeated, the words sounding right.
Lily looked down at her guitar and strummed a couple of times, looking like she was deep in thought. I didn't say anything else, just waited for her. The wind whipped by and her hair blew around her shoulders. The city lights were bright behind her and as I just sat there and waited, it hit me that Lily truly was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. And she was all mine. After a minute or two, she looked up at me and nodded.
"The last time I was here, you heard me sing a song for my father," she whispered, a hint of pain in her voice.
Anger pulsed through me as I heard her pain and I glanced at the floor, willing it to pass. Taking a breath and unballing my fists I looked up and was surprised to find that Lily was smiling at me. "But this time," she said. "I'm going to sing a song for somebody else."
I watched as she started strumming the guitar, her eyes closed. And as she started singing with that beautiful voice, it sent shivers down my spine. Listening to the words, I smiled as Lily finally opened her eyes and looked at me, the lyrics telling me everything, like she was baring her soul to me.
'I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then, circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good.'
And as she sung the last line and her voice faded away in to the night, my love for her soared. I held my hand out and she put the the guitar down on the floor and walked over to me slowly, a nervous smile on her face. When she put her hand in mine, I pulled her down on to the couch next to me and wrapped my arm around her.
"Everytime I hear you sing," I whispered. "It makes me wonder what a girl like you, is doing with a guy like me."
She leant her head on my shoulder and looked up at me. "You're the best thing that's happened to me, and that's why I sung for you Noah," she smiled, taking my hand. "I sing for you."
I reached over her and grabbed the blanket, spreading it over us so we were shielded from the wind. And as we both sat there on the rooftop under the stars, we watched the city bustle with life as we fell asleep.
But just before I succumbed to the tiredness, I looked over at Lily and thought how lucky I was to have found her. The last line of her song ran through my mind and I smiled, thinking how true it really was.
'The heart of life was good.'
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OH DUDES! I was reallyyyyyy feeling the romance today! Gah, the feels!