Sylvie
Page 22
Tender.
Soft.
Like a cool summer breeze.
It leaves me breathless by the time he pulls away, long enough for me to open the box. Black and white diamonds sparkle, curling around one another to make the shape of a treble clef.
“From this day forward, you will never walk alone. There may be dark roads but my heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.”
Tears stream down my face as I wrap my arms around him. “I love you.” Those three words don’t seem nearly enough but it’s all I can say, my heart is lodged in my throat and my emotions are overwhelming. There is no greater gift than love and he gives it to me so selflessly.
Pulling back, he takes the dainty chain from my hands and spins me around to put it on my neck. When he has it clasped in place, he presses a kiss to the nape, causing a shiver to ripple through me. Then he wraps his arms around my waist, resting both hands on my growing belly. “You’ll always be my life, Sylvie. My reason. My song.”
Closing my eyes I lose myself in his embrace, knowing that, for the first time in my life, I’m exactly where I belong.
Spinning in place, I wrap my arms around his neck, reaching up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips. “I have something for you, too.”
His hands cradle my face as he deepens the kiss.
Linc releases me and I walk over to retrieve the gift from my chifforobe, hand wrapped in brown paper with twine tying it off. He reads the small tag on the front out loud.
I saved the best of my heart
for the heart that understands the worst of me.
As soon as he tears the paper he realizes what it is, his wide eyes lift to mine. “Your journal.”
I nod.
“Are you sure?”
“There are things in there I could never say out loud. Everything that ever broke me and healed me is written within those pages. The words of my heart.”
“I promise to take good care of it, baby.”
“I promise to take good care of yours, too.”
Curling his hand around my neck, he pulls me in for a long, sensual kiss. “You ready to start forever with me?”
“Forever never sounded so good.”
Linc
The moon hangs low,
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.
I show her 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 it The 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.”
“But first, it has to be lived.” Her words strike deep inside my heart, in the place where only her love dwells.
My lips take hers, the taste of forever potent on her tongue.
I move to stand us up and take her hand while pulling her body flush with mine. Then I start to hum a familiar tune, one that has been the soundtrack of our life. The one that no matter how many times I sing it, or how much we hear it, it never gets old.
Her body sways with mine in perfect harmony, a dance built with years of love and devotion.
A dance only time can perfect.
We have no idea what the future may hold, or where the road may take us, but we know we have each other and we have love.
That will always be enough.
FROM THE AUTHOR
This story would have never been possible without the help of the amazing people in my life. When I first started writing this book (August 2014) I never anticipated it would take this shape. There was a time when I didn’t think I would ever be able to finish because some of the elements of this story were so personal to me, but Sylvie refused to lie wasted. She arose from the ashes and flew, teaching me that it’s okay to hurt.
To let go.
To heal.
And to love.
I hope that you are able to take something away from this story and if not, thank you for giving her a chance.
Means everything to me.
THANK YOU, READERS!
To my husband, for always standing by me and supporting me.
You pushed me to finish.
You pushed me to be my best.
I’m a better me because of you.
I love you.
Always.
To KC, I don’t know what I would do without your endless words of encouragement and support. Every time I wanted to give up, you were always right there giving me the shove I needed to keep going. Thank you for always believing in me. And this story.
To Kirby, I could not have finished this without you. Thank you for pushing me beyond my limits, cheering me on, and loving Sylvie as much as I do.
To Alycia, thank you for always being Dean’s champion. For always reminding me just how vital his role was in this story. I love you dearly.
To Heather, thank you for listening to me whine about this book and dragging me out of the house when I needed it the most. You keep me in check and I love you for it
.
To my family and dearest friends, thank you for your continuous love and support.
Find out more about K. Langston’s other books and upcoming releases by visiting her at www.authorklangston.com
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As always, thank you so much for reading!!!