This story features one of my favourite love songs, I'm Already There by Lonestar. I hope you enjoy!

A 26-year-old Mariah sat down sadly on her front porch. She sighed and leaned at her back against the railing, looking up into the night sky. Running a hand along her pale arms to prevent goose bumps she closed her eyes and made a wish.

"Rei... where ever you are... I hope you miss me as much as I miss you..."

As if on cue, the door swung open and a black haired girl of about five years stuck her head outside. Her eyes twinkled with glee. "Mommy? Daddy's on the phone!" She said happily, a catlike grin spreading across her thin lips.

"She's a spitting image of her dad. She's got Rei's hair, eyes and smile." Mariah thought happily, smiling at her little girl.

He called her on the road

from a lonely cold hotel room

Just to hear her say I love you one more time

Slowly Mariah stood up and walked through the old wooden door that her daughter was holding open. She leaned down slightly and grabbed her daughters' outstretched hand. Smiling at each other they both walked solemnly into the kitchen where the phone was flashing, signaling that someone was on hold. A ten year old boy with pitch black hair and his mothers eyes stood in front of it, not tearing his sharp, golden eyes off it until his mom pulled the handset off the holder. Raising the mouthpiece to her face she mouthed to her son 'you can talk to him later'. Hopping up onto the kitchen counter Mariah braced herself for a serious emotional breakdown.

"Hello hon." She said longingly, wishing she could actually be there with him. But unfortunately that never worked out. No matter how many arrangements they made, he always had to leave for business, or something... He contemplated quitting but what would they do for money? He had a high paying job that kept the family fed and under the shelter of a home. Mariah had offered many times to take up a job as well, but Rei had shot that down. He didn't want her working, he wanted her doing what she wanted to do. And that was raising the children.

"Hi... God I missed your voice." He replied, sitting down on a motel bed thousands of miles away. Smiling sadly he held a battered picture of his wife. Closing his eyes he listened to every word she had to say. Her voice brought life to his lonely existence. He wished he could be back home. It's all he wanted. But his job demanded that he travel often, barely around home enough to see his children grow. He hadn't even seen his own two kids in a year and a half. A tear rolled down his cheek as he herd them in the background. His baby girl Clarity. His little boy Dante.

But when he heard the sound

Of the kids laughing in the background

He had to wipe away a tear from his eye

"Hold on a sec," Mariah said, pushing a block of hair behind her ears. Grabbing her daughter around the waist she lifted her onto her lap. Shifting her weight, Mariah passed the phone to the overjoyed girl.

A little voice came on the phone

Said "Daddy when you coming home"

He said the first thing that came to his mind A tear rolled down his cheek, followed by a few more. He hadn't her his daughters voice in over a month. It almost hurt. Actually, it hurt a lot.

I'm already there

Take a look around

I'm the sunshine in your hair

I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind

I'm your imaginary friend

And I know I'm in your prayers

Oh I'm already there

It killed him to say good-bye to his daughter as she cried out a 'bye-bye' and passed the phone back to her mom. Mariah wiped a tear from her eyes and bit her lip to keep it from trembling. "I really miss you." She whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Her children whipped their own tears away and hugged their moms dangling legs, quickly retreating to the living room where they began to cry silent tears for their father.

She got back on the phone

Said I really miss you darling

Don't worry about the kids they'll be alright

Wish I was in your arms

Lying right there beside you

But I know that I'll be in your dreams tonight

And I'll gently kiss your lips

Touch you with my fingertips

So turn out the light and close your eyes

"I'll try to come home soon." He said sadly, knowing full well it would take a miracle to get him home as soon as he would like. "But don't worry. I'm always there with you."

I'm already there

Don't make a sound

I'm the beat in your heart

I'm the moonlight shining down

I'm the whisper in the wind

And I'll be there until the end

Can you feel the love that we share

Oh I'm already there

"But I want you to be here physically. I want to hug and kiss you again. God damnit Rei, we need you!" she said passionately, leaning forward and hugging herself with her free arm.

We may be a thousand miles apart

But I'll be with you wherever you are

"I love you." Rei said sadly, tears glazing his eyes over. He looked to the window, searching for the brightest star in the sky. "You don't ever need to doubt that." His eyes fell upon the star he was looking for. Mariah's own eyes glazed over as she looked at the same star.

"Forever and for always." They both whispered into the phone at the same time, recalling the vow they made at their wedding.

I'm already there

Take a look around

I'm the sunshine in your hair

I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind

And I'll be there until the end

Can you feel the love that we share

Oh I'm already there

Oh I'm already

There