Light in the Shadows

earth shattering smiles.  It was a smile that could cure cancer.  It told me that I was responsible for this perfect slice of happiness in her life. 
                    With tears rolling down her face, I tried to tell her with words that could express everything I felt for her, everything she was to me.  But words could never be enough to explain the way she had completely filled me.
        “Over six years ago I met a girl who saved me.  I didn’t realize at the time, mostly because her attitude pissed me off, that she would become the most important thing in my life.” Maggie playfully punched my shoulder as I wiped the wetness from her cheeks with my thumbs.
                    “But then I got to know her and when I was drowning, she became my air.  In the cold, she became my warmth.”  I cupped her face in my hands as she quietly sobbed and for once I didn’t feel any guilt for her tears.  Because these tears were filled with nothing but joy.  And those were tears I was glad to give her.
                    “In the dark, she became my light,” I whispered, my voice breaking and my own tears started to make their way down my skin. 
                    “Our road hasn’t been an easy one.  But good things rarely are.  You taught me that the person I am is worth loving, worth fighting for.  You gave me strength when I had none. You held me up when I wanted to fall.  And now, I want to give you everything.  I want to give you the world.  Because, Maggie, you’ve given me mine.  And it’s you.  It will always, forever, be you,” I said, the lump in my throat making my voice a harsh whisper.
                  “Clay,” Maggie sobbed and she fell against me, pressing her forehead into my shoulder. 
                    Holding her tight against my body, I whispered in her ear, “Will you marry me, Maggie?”  She tilted her face up and her smile was absolutely radiant.
                    “I think you already know the answer to that,” she quipped as I slid the diamond ring on her finger, over top the promise ring I had given her all those years ago.  Even in the middle of this intense, emotion filled moment, her sarcasm was ever present. And I loved that about her.   I kissed every inch of her face, over and over again.  “And just so you know, I already have the world.  You’re just expanding my universe a little bit,” Maggie added, touching the side of my face and I captured her mouth, kissing her with every ounce of love and adoration I felt for her.
                    And I held her, this girl who had saved me and continued to save me every day.  Our path would never be smooth but I hadn’t lied when I said good things were never easy.  And I was okay with going the hard way.  Because as long as she was beside me, as long as we were together, I knew we could face anything. 
                    So together we walked into our future. One that we had mapped out. And that future was nothing but light.
     
     
     
    THE END
     

Important Resources
     
    Depression, suicide and cutting are serious issues.  Statistics show that 2-3 million people in the Unites States and 13% of 15-16 year olds in the UK cut every year.  Self-injurious behaviors is often a way for people to cope with bigger issues.
                  If you or someone you know is dealing with cutting or depression, it important to talk about, to get help and find a way to stop!
                  There are so many great resources out there, taking the first step and reaching out is the place to start.
     
                  Depression and bi-polar Support Alliance (DBSA)
                  www.dbsalliance.org
                 
                  Teen Self Injury hotline:
                  1-800-Don’t Cut
     
                  Teen Suicide Hotline
                  1-800-SUICIDE
     
                  Great resource and information about self-injury:
                  www.selfinjury.com
     

Acknowledgments
     
    Thank you to each and every one of my readers who have loved Maggie and Clay from the very start.  Without your support, I wouldn’t be doing this at all!
    Thank you to my amazing husband, who always gave me the motivation to keep writing, even when I became discouraged.  You are the