"Relax, sweet. It will be fine."
Easy for him to say, as he and my brothers took leave of us women, again. That's one thing that's always annoyed me – how the men stick together leaving the women to fend for themselves with the children– like they're too afraid to talk to us in a group.
I stood and began helping Ashleigh clean up. Zara had gone to rescue the baby, who was awake, and mother, well, mother was busy with little Elizabeth.
"Once everything calms down and Danny has some time off, you and Angus need to come visit us in Manhattan."
"I'd love that. I love New York, it's so alive and vibrant," Ashleigh replied as she wiped down a counter.
"That's what Danny loves about it, and part of the reason we're moving there."
"You haven't said much about his family. Have you met them?"
"Oh yes. We went to France while Danny was recovering and spent some time with his folks. I haven't met his brother or sister yet, though."
"Did you have trouble communicating with them or do they speak English?"
"His mother is American and his father speaks English quite well. He's a physician, so I imagine he needs to know the language."
"And they like you?" Ashleigh was next to me now. I could feel her eyes watching me for a response.
"I think so. You have to remember I'm the first woman Danny's ever brought home with him. But I think they like me, because they know I love their son and are appreciative that I took the time to keep them up to date when he was first injured. He was here and they were all the way in France. I called them so they wouldn't find out through the news media." I stopped, shaking my head. "Listen to me rambling like that."
"It's okay, and I'm glad his parents like you."
"Well, his father is a bit gruff, shall we say? But he's a hard working doctor, so I chalk it off to that."
Zara appeared, baby in arms. My, my, the Amadeus genes sure seemed to flow in this family! "I hate to break up the party, but I think we need to find the boys and double check the weather. The storm is approaching."
"Yes, we better," I replied, smiling at Zara. "Do you think Wolfgang here would let me hold him? I think I'd like Danny to see this."
She handed me the baby, who was far less shy than his older sister. I held on to him as I followed Zara to another room where the guys all stood beside a white baby grand piano.
"A, you need to recheck the weather and the ferry for Daniel and Mary Elizabeth. It's looking pretty glum outside."
Amadeus nodded and walked off to a corner of the room where a desk sat. In the meantime, I found Danny and little Wolfgang and I waltzed over to joined.
From the lopsided grin on Danny's face, I knew what he was thinking. A family wouldn't be too far off in our future. "Who have you got there, sweet?" He leaned in and whispered, "You look quite sexy holding a baby. You're a natural."
I smiled at his words. "This is Wolfgang. Care to hold him?"
I was about to pass the baby to him, when Amadeus shot up out of his seat behind his desk.
"Unless you two want to spend the night and risk missing your flight, you need to leave now. The ferry leaves in a half hour. Damien, you’ll need to either stay the night here or stay with Danny and Elizabeth at the condo. You don't need to stay on your boat in this one."
"I think I'll stay here if you don't mind," Damien replied, winking in our direction.
"Okay, sweet, let's go find your mother and say our goodbyes so we can go."
We said our good-byes and left just ahead of the storm. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, leaving my family, again. But I felt that progress had been made, this time, in repairing the ten year gap. Mother will always be mother, and there is nothing I can do to sway her way of thinking about me. As long as we continue to talk and heal, I guess I'm okay with that. Danny's my future now; and we have a house to purchase and a wedding to attend - our own.
Chapter Eighteen
Two evenings later, we sat on the bare floor in the living room of our new home. Closing went off without a hitch and we were now the proud owners of a Manhattan condo. We had arranged to meet with the designer I had chosen and, when I met her in person, I knew that she had been the perfect choice. She and I would be texting and emailing as she found items for the house. There was so much to be done, and I wanted it ready by the time we returned from wherever it was Danny was planning for us to go after we got married. At least “move in” ready. I was sure I'd be continually working on making it into a home.
We brought a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses to celebrate. Even though I knew we had more to do in front of us, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
"Still like it?" Danny chided as he picked up his flute of champagne. "Too late if you don't."
"I love it, Danny. I can't wait to see it when we return."
"Me either. I'm rather looking forward to what's on our schedule. By the way, have you been in touch with Aunt Lucy about making time for us?"
"No, I need to do that right now." I picked up my cell phone from off the floor in front of me and began to compose a quick text. "How does this sound? Return 2 L 2 days. Need u 4 something special. Will call when we arrive.”
"Sounds perfect, send it. Knowing Lucy, her interest will be piqued for sure."
I sent it and held the phone half expecting a reply. It would be the middle of the night in London, but with Aunt Lucy who knew? She might just be up having fun.
And she didn't disappoint. "Very mysterious. Can't wait!"
"I suppose we need to talk about what needs to be done in order to get this wedding pulled together." I glanced at Danny, who was watching me with those eyes, again.
"Okay, why don't you start?"
"You already know what we need to do to procure our license. What do we wear? Would you be more comfortable wearing something similar to what you wear performing? Not the jeans, the other. Gray or black pants, jacket?"
"If you don't mind, sweet. But, if you want me wearing tails, I will."
"No tails, I promise. I'll need to shop for a dress and stuff, though."
"Then shop and get your dream dress. I'll take care of flowers for you and Aunt Lucy, along with those things for guys to wear on their lapels."
"Boutonnieres, Danny."
"I know. What else do you need me to do? Oh, and we'll apply for the license as soon as we land."
"Okay, that's fine. Outside of what you've done or are doing, perhaps a nice dinner, just the two of us and somewhere special to spend our wedding night."
"That was easy." He moved closer to me. "By the way, I've got our rings covered. At least I hope they'll be ready in time."
"I'm curious now."
"Well, you'll just have to stay curious until I place it on your hand."
I giggled and wondered if all the travel, lack of sleep and now champagne were getting to me. This man was so intoxicating, so luscious. He would move heaven and earth if it made me happy.
"Would you do something, Mary?"
"Of course. You know I'd do anything for you."
"Hear me out first, please?"
"Oh this sounds quite intriguing, Mr. Kennedy, do go on." Oh yeah, have some more champagne girl friend.
"I know you don't have any tattoos, but would you consider getting one with me. The same one, in the same spot, together? It would mean a lot to me." He was gazing down at me. He knew I neither disliked nor liked tats, but had never inked myself. Now he was asking me to.
"What do you have in mind? Please nothing like our names entwined together on our arms or something awful like that."
"No, nothing like that. I have a small design in mind. It would go on our upper left arms."
Daniel had a couple of tats—one quite interesting one on his abdomen along with the one that circled his upper right arm. Obviously he was trying to bond us together. "Will it hurt?"
He grinned, knowing he had won. I'd do just about anything for this man. "A little, perhaps. Does that
mean you'll do it?"
"Only if I approve of what you're wanting to permanently mark me with. But, yes."
"You'll approve. It's a Celtic pattern, a small design."
"When are you planning for us to have this inking done?"
"How does later this evening suit you?" He leaned over and kissed me.
"Oh you're good, Danny. Any more surprises I should expect before our wedding?" I asked him as our lips were still touching.
"Hmmm, let me think." He leaned back, looking at me, that naughty grin of his coming over his face. "Care to christen our new home?"
"I'm game if you are, but you'd better find some place where you won't get floor burn." I quipped.
How I was not nervous about having someone continually push a needle into my arm was beyond me. I hate needles. The design Daniel had chosen was beautiful. It meant a lot to him that I would share this part of his world.
He sat next to me the entire procedure, which if anyone had asked me, I was sure would take an entire day. He tried to keep my mind off what was going on and focused on him and whatever topic he decided to talk about. The young man doing the work was evidently quite renowned for his artistry, as Daniel had used him before.
Danny beamed with approval as I peered down at my arm, then at him. "It is beautiful. Thank you."
I nodded slowly, trying to think of a comeback, but nothing amusing came. "You're welcome."
As Daniel sat for his, I couldn't help but look in the mirror at what I had just done, admiring it. The two men spoke as the artist proceeded, while I checked out the walls full of tattoos. From time to time, I would check on Daniel, but he was doing fine. He seemed to be amused by my new found interest in this art form. The things people do for love.
It was late by the time we left the tattoo parlor. Danny took me by the hand and we started walking down the street.
"I don't know about you, but I'm famished. There's a deli right up the street. I thought if you're good with it we'd walk there and grab a sandwich before heading back to the hotel."
"That sounds wonderful, Danny."
We walked the two or three blocks to the deli. Despite the hour, the place was still packed. This was New York, the city that never slept; our new home.
Standing in line to place our order I gazed around and looked at the vast array of human kind, wondering where they came from, what their stories were. The line moved fast and before I knew it, we were at the front. Daniel placed our order and we went to find a table and wait.
Danny held my hands on top of the table as we waited. He was excited, I could tell by the look on his face. He was on an adrenaline high—the end of his tour, the house, our wedding and vacation. His excitement was contagious and infected me. Danny's enthusiasm was enough for twenty people and I let him seize the moment.
Once we returned to the hotel, we were in high gear, packing for the last leg of our trip – back to London. When or how we got into bed and slept was a mystery, but we did. Pure exhaustion, I'm sure.
The following afternoon Daniel and I settled into our first class seats, heading to London, each sporting a tender new tattoo, hidden under our shirts. We were off to begin a new chapter in our lives, one that would bind us together for life. As they say, the best is yet to come.
#### THE END ####
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Other Books By Jamie Salisbury:
Perpetual Love, Perpetual Emotions, Perpetual Family, Perpetual Life
Tudor Rose, Tudor Rubato, Tudor Reunion Tour
Timeless Sojourn, Tartan Deadlines
Rockin' The Boss, Life and Lies
Where Love Takes Us, The Heart Knows
Encore! (Tudor Saga Book 1) Page 20
