Echoes in the Sanctuary

Part 4

"Daddy's home!" Layla's tiny voice rang out, followed by the quick patter of her little feet across the hardwood floor of our apartment. I watched from the kitchen as she launched herself into Eddie's waiting arms, her wild curls bouncing with each step. He had been on the road for months now, the band being in such high demand. They had been selling out arenas for years, but we were both relieved to have him home again.

Layla's excitement was infectious, and while I wasn't bummed out or anything, she always seemed to beat me to the enthusiastic greeting. He caught her with ease, spinning her around as she giggled uncontrollably. Seeing them like this, so happy and carefree, was everything I needed.

"How's my favorite 4 year old doing," he murmur-laughed, planting a kiss on her forehead as he set her down and looked lovingly over to me in a way that clearly said 'I'm sorry. I'll get to you next.' "What have you been up to?" he asked her. She looked up at him with wide eyes, her small hands tugging at the hem of his shirt. "Mommy said you're gonna show me real music!" Eddie glanced over at me, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Did she now?"

I shrugged, leaning against the doorway. "She's been asking about it since you left back in July. Thought it was time. I was sure she was going to start asking the skeletons on the porch instead, before you came home." I laughed, catching Eddie's amused smirk as he set down his guitar case and bags.

He ruffled Layla's hair. "Alright, kiddo. Let's see what you've got." She followed him eagerly into the living room, her little hands gripping his fingers tightly. I trailed behind, my heart swelling at the sight of them together. Eddie opened the case, pulling out his well-worn guitar. He sat down on the couch, motioning for her to sit beside him. "Okay, little rockstar," he said with a wink, "time to make some magic."

Her eyes went wide as he placed the guitar in her lap, her tiny fingers reaching out to touch the strings. Eddie guided her hands, showing her how to strum gently. The guitar let out a soft, twangy sound, and she squealed in delight. "Did you hear that, Mommy?" she called out, looking over at me with a beaming smile. "I sure did, sweetie," I said, walking over to join them. "You're a natural." Eddie smiled, his fingers moving over the strings, playing a goth-rock guitar riff that I instantly recognized. Our daughter watched intently, her eyes following his every move. Then, with his help, she started to strum along, her movements clumsy but determined.

"This one's special," Eddie said softly as he helped her play. "It's from the night I realized I loved your mom. She played me this band I'd never heard before, The Cult, and after we spent all night listening to them and talking, I realized I loved her. Even if we stayed just friends, I knew." I smiled when he said that, but was hoping he hadn't noticed.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Really?" I was shocked too. I mouthed, "For real?" with a quizzical look on my face, and stared at him, waiting for his answer. "Yep." he nodded. "And now, it's yours too," he said, his voice thick with emotion and a huge smile on his face.

The melody filled the room, the sound blending with the laughter of our daughter as she continued to strum, her little hands gripping the guitar tightly. It was a simple moment, but one that I knew would stay with me forever.

As the song came to an end, Eddie leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You did great, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice full of pride. "Can we do it again, Daddy?" she asked, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. Eddie laughed, ruffling her hair. "We can do this as many times as you want." At this, he got up and walked over to me, embracing me in a warm hug before kissing me.

We walked into the kitchen for a minute, and I said to him, "You know, I didn't think anything could ever mean so much to me. But this... this is different." There was a weight to my words that hung in the air between us. He could sense something shifting in me, like a door creaking open that had long been shut. "Different how?" He asked, curious. I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I don't know. It's like... there's this whole other world I didn't even know existed. And it's... I... Love it... you. Feels like I'd been missing out on something big... and I didn't even realize it. But then I... found you, and we... yknow, connected, and then... we... had Layla (Marlowe-Rendazzo)." I stammered, the true love in my gaze. He looked at me, a smile creeping up on his face, before he chuckled and pecked my cheek. And in that moment, as Layla was fumbling around with the guitar, and we were watching her from the kitchen, I knew that this was the beginning of something beautiful-a new chapter in our lives, filled with music, love, and endless possibilities.