Then There Was You (47 page)
He glanced at his guitar, gearing up for the words that would come next. I couldn’t stop the tears that had already pooled in my eyes. I thought back to the first day I met him, angry and guarded. And here he was, years later, pouring his soul out to me, trusting me fully with his heart.
Returning his gaze, he continued, “I’ve loved you for a long time. I didn’t know it back then, but fate was tying our hearts together, just a little at a time. Bumping into you at the concert… it was destiny’s way of sealing our fate. I want to make you happy. I want to be the man that you deserve for the rest of our lives. I want to build a life and home with you and Alexis. I want to show you how much I love you every second of every day. You are my world, my love, my everything. I love you so much, Salem.”
With tears in his eyes, he began to strum the first few chords of a song I immediately recognized—one of my favorite songs by Train. Shocked, my mouth fell open as the tears that had pooled in my eyes now slid down my cheeks. My hands promptly covered my gaping mouth, as the tears continued to fall.
As he opened his mouth to sing, the words cascaded into the darkness, filling my heart with love and adoration. The music that poured from his guitar washed over me like satin, while the purity of his tone cleansed my soul. I felt cherished, treasured. Tears rolled down my cheeks and all I could think about was how in awe I was over this amazing, passionate man who sang his heart out for me.
As soon as the final note tapered off, he whispered, “Will you marry me, Salem?”
Before I even glanced at the box he held that cradled the diamond ring, I fell down on my knees in front of him. “Yes!” I cried. “Yes, yes, yes! I love you so much, Chris. Nothing would make me happier in this world than to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He laid the guitar on the ground as I wrapped my arms around him. Pulling me toward him, I grasped the sides of his face and pressed my lips to his. He tangled the fingers of his free hand in my hair, kissing me back.
My stomach exploded with butterflies as I thought about the day I would walk down the aisle toward the man that I love with my whole heart to become Mrs. Christopher Dean King.
I love the hours after midnight. It’s when I do my best thinking. I’ve found that nothing is better than sitting in the darkness of this quiet room, with my arms wrapped around the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You know, I realized something the other day. I hadn’t really been living until now. She came into my world just when I needed her the most, and she changed everything.
I sit in the silence, reflecting on the past few years. What a wild ride it has been—the shows, the music, the traveling, the women, the alcohol, the crazy fun—but, it all boils down to just one thing. This. This moment. This perfect, amazing moment as I sit in the stillness of the night, holding the love of my life.
Quietly, I begin to sing. I love singing to her as she dozes off against my chest. Salem says it’s her favorite part of falling asleep… listening to my voice as she’s transported into dreamland. So, I let the words softly echo into the darkness, my voice low and gentle.
Just lay in my arms wrapped so tight
No need to worry tonight
So stay by my side
Use your ears not your eyes
Let my voice calm
Your worried mind
Don’t go for love
For you may not see
It’s the reason for you
You’re the reason for me
I can feel her body relaxing while I sing. I know my soft timbre has drifted her into a tranquil slumber. It’s late, but I don’t want to go to sleep yet. I just want to hold her, caress her soft skin, and kiss her forehead while she stays wrapped in my arms.
She’s given me a life I never dreamed I could have. She’s given me a reason to truly
live.
Love brought her to me. The love Salem and I have for each other is the reason she’s here. Looking down at the sweet angel in my arms, I cuddle her in the rocking chair of her nursery.
Zoe.
Perfect in every way.
I glance the most recent addition to my now completely finished tattoo.
While I love, I live.
Love created her, and like the meaning of her name, she gave me life. She
is
my life.
Together we rock in the calm serenity of the wee hours while I continue to sing softly to her, knowing the woman I love is enjoying her own peaceful slu
m
ber just down the hall in our bed.
Are you or is anyone you know suffering from Postpartum Depression? You are not alone. There is hope.
The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.
During the postpartum period, about 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. For most the symptoms are mild and short-lived; however, 10 to 15% of women develop more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Many new moms experience the “baby blues” after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings and crying spells that fade quickly. But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme form of postpartum depression known as postpartum psychosis develops after childbirth.
Postpartum depression isn’t a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it’s simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms — and enjoy your baby.
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Intense irritability and anger
Overwhelming fatigue
Loss of interest in sex
Lack of joy in life
Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
Severe mood swings
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawal from family and friends
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer. If you’re feeling depressed after your baby’s birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But it’s important to call your doctor if the signs and symptoms of depression have any of these features:
Don’t fade after two weeks
Are getting worse
Make it hard for you to care for your baby
Make it hard to complete everyday tasks
Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Information obtained from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/
The following web sites have excellent information and resources on Postpartum Depression:
http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com
http://familydoctor.org/handouts/379.html
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org
Start of Something Good
by Chris Daughtry
I’ll Be
by Reba McEntire
Dear Agony
by Breaking Benjamin
Desperate
by David Archuletta
Every Day
by Rascal Flatts
I Turn to You
by Christina Aguilera
You Needed Me
by Anne Murray
Through Glass
by Stone Sour
Snuff
by Slipknot
Hurt
by Nine Inch Nails
You Found Me
by The Fray
Welcome to My Life
by Simple Plan
Clarity
by Zedd
Numb
by Linkin Park
God Bless the USA
by Lee Greenwood
Open Your Eyes
by Staind
Locked Up
by Akon
Baby Mine
by Alison Krauss
A Little Bit Stronger
by Sara Evans
Cut
by Plumb
Here Without You
by 3 Doors Down
I’ll Be
by Edwin McCain
Kiss Me Slowly
by Parachute
Broken
by Seether
My Hero
by Foo Fighters
Just to See You Smile
by Tim McGraw
She’s Everything
by Brad Paisley
Everything but Me
by Chris Daughtry
The Way She Feels
by Between the Trees
Sorry
by Chris Daughtry
Head Over Feet
by Alanis Morissette
Kryptonite
by 3 Doors Down
All of Me
by John Legend
Mas Que Amor
by Il Volo
Marry Me
by Train
To my readers: THANK YOU! Words cannot express my gratitude. I couldn’t do this without the support of my readers and fans! You make this whole process worth every minute!
To my husband: Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for being such a good sport about listening to me drone on and on about my story even though you have no interest whatsoever in romance novels. Thank you for your patience when I locked myself up in our bedroom all day to write. Thank you most of all, for three beautiful children, twelve amazing years, and your unconditional love! I love you!