Send Me A Song

Send Me A Song


Liara took a deep breath and stared out at the endless blue sea. Her heart was heavy, but at the same time she felt an odd sense of acceptance. She turned away from the window as her maid arrived to help her dress. Today she’d picked out her husband’s favorite gown, a beautiful blue creation that matched her eyes. The silk was cool on her skin and it made her shiver.

As the maid pulled Liara’s blond curls into an elegant chignon, she chatted away amiably. “Aren’t you frightened, my lady? I would be, were I you.”

“No, Sari,” Liara replied with a small, sad smile. “I’m not frightened at all.”

The maid left with a puzzled expression and Liara returned to the window, this time looking elsewhere. From her manor in the higher portion of the city, she had a clear view of the docks and all the ships anchored there. One ship in particular caught her gaze, for it was the one about to change her life. It was the largest ship, and Liara could see the many uniformed men already busy with preparations. That meant it was time to go.

Liara’s carriage rattled through the cobblestone streets in the direction of the docks, and people stopped to share looks of sympathy. Everyone knew what was going to happen today. It was a sad day for the small town. Liara, however, smiled and waved at those she saw, showing them that she wasn’t afraid. She would meet this event with courage and dignity.

The carriage arrived at the docks and the door was opened for her. As she stepped into the sunlight, the gathering crowd grew silent and parted to reveal a man walking toward her.

Liara’s heart lept when she saw him. He was devastatingly handsome in his uniform, badges glinting proudly from his chest. His slightly long black hair was slicked back, his expression stern. But his dark eyes warmed when he saw her.

“Ryder,” she breathed.

Her husband smiled and took her in his arms, kissing her deeply there in front of everyone. “Liara,” he murmured for the hundredth time, “I’m sorry.”

Liara smiled and took his hand. “Let’s walk on the beach.” They left the crowd behind and walked on the shore, the waves lapping gently a few inches from their feet.

Ryder’s expression was pained when he looked down at her. “I wish I didn’t have to go. Maybe I shouldn’t.”

“You must,” Liara said fiercely. “Your country needs you.”

“You need me too. And I need you.”

She sighed and looked out to sea, knowing he spoke the truth. If she so wished, she could say the word and he would stay with her forever. But it was selfish, and she wasn’t a selfish person. “You must go, Ryder. I know how you’ve dreamed of traveling. This is your chance; you must take it.”

“How can I live without you?” His voice was tortured.

“When you’re lonely, just send me a song,” Liara said, an idea suddenly coming to her.

“Send you a song?”

She smiled gently. He always sang to her, sang beautiful songs that made her weep and laugh and love. “Yes,” she replied. “And I will sing to you. You’ll never be alone, no matter how far away you are.”

Ryder suddenly pulled her to him and held her tight. “I’m going to miss you.”

“And I you.” Liara inhaled deeply, memorizing his unique, musky scent. “Someday we’ll travel together,” she vowed. “You and me alone at sea. I promise.”

Ryder kissed her forehead tenderly and looked up as a whistle sounded. “I have to go.”

Liara’s eyes looked deep into his, and she said, “Never look back. Don’t forget what you’re leaving me for. Be strong; your men need you.”

His arms tightened momentarily before he stepped back. “I’ll send you a song every day. I love you.”

Her eyes burned with tears, but she did not cry. She wouldn’t allow his parting memory to be of tears. Instead, she injected all the love in her heart into one smile. “I love you too, Ryder. Return soon.”

Her husband gave her a last lingering look before trotting away, leaving large bootprints in the sand. Liara watched him go and sent a silent prayer to the heavens.

Please let him stay safe and return to me.

As the ship laboriously made its was to see, Liara could see her husband standing at the rail. He was singing her favorite lullaby; the wind carried it to her like a beloved gift. The tears finally fell as Liara sang along with him. Their last song together.

Deep down he wanted to go; to fight for his country. She couldn’t tell him to stay and abandon his dreams because she couldn’t live without him.

Because she loved him more than life itself, she was letting him go.

As the weeks passed, Liara was delighted to find that she’d been blessed with a baby. She stood on the balcony and sang to her husband every night. And when the wind blew from the sea, she imagined she could hear Ryder’s deep voice carressing her with a lullaby. So she prayed that he heard her, that he would be home for the baby’s birth.

One night nine months later, the call she’d been waiting for finally arrived. A man burst into the house, his shouts echoing through the halls. “He’s back! Lord Ryder is back!”

Liara felt happier than she’d ever been and hurried from the manor, ignoring the flustered protests. Even with her large belly slowing her down, she made it to the docks in record time. The large ship was riddles with holes and scarred with black scorches, but it had made it home. As it anchored, men stumbled down the ramp and into the waiting arms of family.

Liara stood impatiently, breathing hard, but there was no sign of Ryder among the exiting crew. She watched them reunite with their loved ones, laughing and crying and yawning at the same time.

Suddenly she couldn’t breathe.

What if… But no. Ryder couldn’t be gone. She’d heard his song just the night before.

Tears stung her eyes as unimaginable pain filled her heart. This couldn’t be true. It was impossible. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly, as if she could shield her unborn child from the future. Her throat closed as the thought of never hearing his voice again, never sleeping with his arms wrapped around her, never sharing laughter and tears with him.

Suddenly loud cheering erupted around her. Blinking, Liara looked up to see one last man leaving the ship. He was tall, uniformed, and there were dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin.

“Ryder!”

He looked up to see her rushing toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks. He caught her in his arms and spun her around, kissing everywhere he could reach.

When he finally set her down, she took his hand and set it on her stomach.
Ryder’s eyes widened and their eyes locked.

Then he smiled and began softly singing their lullaby.