Taunting the earth with its gravity and light,
Finding comfort in the rise and fall of the tide.
But when the sun rises again, stealing the night,
A new day will dawn.
Bringing with it a promise of hope
That the moon shall return
But only after the sun has had its moment to shine.
Closing the journal, I let her words sink in. I’ve read them dozens of times since she gave it to me on our wedding day ten years ago but every time I read them, they find new meaning.
A window to her heart, I eagerly climbed inside, devouring every word and thought, gorging myself on her longing, her grief, and her despair. It was one of the greatest gifts she’s ever given me, besides her love and our children.
Lifting my guitar to my lap, I strum the chords, searching for a tune that matches the one thrumming in my heart.
“Good morning, baby,” she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders from behind. “What are you doing up so early?”
I lean my head close to hers, inhaling her sweet scent. “I was feelin’ inspired.”
“Still working on that song?”
“I was trying to.” I set my guitar aside and pull her around to sit on my lap.
“How’s it going?”
I think this is much more inspiring,” I tell her, nuzzling her neck.
A laugh tumbles from her perfect mouth, floating on the cool breeze around us.
“Behave, the children will be up soon, I don’t want them to see just how inspired their father really is this morning.”
I kiss her long and deep, losing myself in the moment, breathing her in. I cherish each and every one with her, taking nothing for granted, knowing that life is far too short to waste on petty words.
Ishowher every day what her love means to me.
How it’s changed me.
How it’s made me the man I am today.
Things finally slowed down about a year and a half after we were married. Once my contract was up with Milestone, I retreated back to Grandeur permanently to start my life with Sylvie. I still performed at small venues, the Ryman, and Bluebird from time to time, but mostly I spent a lot of time writing in my home studio. I sold a lot of my songs to big names, several even topping the charts, but I held on to a precious few, saving them for when the time was right.
Our daughters are older now. Stella will be ten in a few short months and our daughter Audrey will be five this winter, both of them just as beautiful as their mother and have me wrapped around their little fingers.
Caroline is already talking about college and has a boyfriend, which gives me a mild heart attack every time I think about it. It’s unbelievable sometimes to think how much our family has grown. It’s tough being in a house full of strong, beautiful women but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I just need one more song and the album will be complete.”
“Took you long enough,” she teases, the sunlight catching her blue eyes, making them sparkle. My chest floods with warmth. “So have you decided on a name?”
“I think I’m gonna call itThe Long Way Home.”
“It’s perfect,” she says lovingly, pride shining in her eyes. “Think the world is ready for our story?” she asks.
“A story like ours has to be told.”
