Significance (Artistic Pricks Ink)

by Cat Mason

  Pressing my lips to her forehead, I move us around the dance floor and start plotting how to make our wedding a day Becky will never forget.

  Chapter Eight

  Becky

  “What in the hell do you mean ‘he’s handlin’ it’?” Maddie asks through gritted teeth. Her fingers wrap around that damn yellow binder so tightly her knuckles turn white.

  Grabbing a knife from the cutting block, I begin slicing up the six-foot sub sandwich I bought on our way home from work for all the guys to eat for dinner while they watch the game since Maddie and I ate Chinese food with the girls from work. Maddie glares at me and all I can do is shrug. “Mitch said he wanted to take over planning the wedding, so I said okay. It’s no big deal, Maddie. It gives him something to do and takes the stress off me.”

  The other night, when we finally went back to the table, Tyler made Mad put her wedding ideas to bed for the night. She reluctantly did as asked and after that we ended up having a great night. Tonight is game night and all the guys are here screaming at the television as usual. March Madness is wrapping up and with that comes testosterone-filled men going insane. At times I think they forget they aren’t right there in floor seats feeling the floor rumble beneath the soles of their shoes with every play.

  “You’re insane. Why in the hell would you agree to let a man handle that?” she asks in disbelief, placing the binder on the table to help me. “Do you know what you’ve done? I mean really, Becky, you’re going to be stuck with a basketball hoop for an altar and instead of champagne and a beautiful cake, there will be draft beer and chicken wings.”

  “You’re being overly dramatic, Mad.” Shaking my head, I place the knife in the sink before handing her plates and napkins. I pull chips from the cabinet and set the bags on the counter beside the sliced sandwich. “Time to eat, boys!” I shout when the game breaks for commercials. There’s no way they would hear me over the television and their shouting while the actual game is on.

  “Ladies,” Pop says, walking into the kitchen. “You know us grown ass men can fix our own supper. Don’t need you babyin’ the boys. Makes ‘em soft. Their C.O. won’t wipe their asses and make them sammiches.”

  “My Commanding Officer isn’t anywhere as pretty as my girl, sir,” Mitch says, walking in with Tyler and Micah following behind him.

  Maddie walks over and grabs the binder from the table. Stepping up to Mitch, she rolls her eyes, her lips pressing into a hard line as she sizes him up. “The least I can do is give you this so that you don’t totally fuck everything up,” she says, slapping him in the chest with it.

  “Your faith in me means so much,” he grunts sarcastically. Sticking it on top of the fridge, he grabs a plate and I hand him an open beer. “Thanks, babe,” he says, taking a pull from the bottle before turning his eyes back to Maddie. “Trust me, Mad, I got this wedding biz down to a science. Even planned the when and booked the where already.” Brushing by her, he turns and grins confidently. “I have invitations, including a very special one for my bride-to-be.”

  “Fuck,” Tyler says, clapping him on the back. “That’s genius.”

  Maddie glares daggers at them, causing them both to wince. “Listen, if I need any help, you’re the first woman I’ll come runnin’ to grovel to for help, Mad.” Mitch makes a cross with his fingers over his heart. “Promise, sweetheart.”

  Pointing her finger at him, her angry expression finally cracks into a smile. “That’s all I ask.”

  “Game’s back on,” Micah says, grabbing a plate. Leaning down he kisses me on the cheek. “Thanks, Beck, you’re the greatest.”

  “That’s what they say,” I tease, handing him a soda.

  “Lips off my woman,” Mitch teases, heading for the doorway. Winking at me, he grins. “Might wanna have shoes on and shit, you’ll be leavin’ soon, Beck.”

  “I’m what?” I ask, but he’s already disappeared into the living room with the guys.

  “What in the hell does he have up his sleeve?” Maddie asks, studying the empty doorway before turning to face me.

  I shrug. “Who knows? Probably sendin’ us on a beer run or something.” Taking a plate, I place the rest of the pieces of the sub on it and wrap it with plastic wrap and put everything back into the fridge. “You know how they get during the finals. No one is leaving that room unless it’s a commercial break for the next two hours at least.”

  Nodding in agreement, Maddie steps up to the sink and starts washing up and wiping down the counter top. Once I finish putting things away, I grab us each a soda from the fridge and we sit at the table and laugh at the guys while they scream at the ref for calling a foul.

  When the doorbell rings, it’s no surprise that none of the guys even bat an eye to answer it. They are all glued to the television so as not to miss a second.

  “Rebecca Edwards?” the woman asks, holding a medium-sized, square, dark-cherry stained wooden box in her hands.

  “Yes,” I reply, staring down at the box.

  “Have a great night.” Thrusting the box at me, she turns and heads down the path toward the parking lot without another word.

  Turning around, I close the door. “Mitch, do you know anything about this?” I ask, looking up to find his recliner empty. My eyes go to the three laughing jackasses on my couch. Micah reaches up and pauses the television with the remote. “Game was live hours ago, this is just a replay.”

  “Where the hell did he sneak off to?” I ask.

  Pop shrugs. “Open the box, girl. You’ll never get where you’re supposed to be goin’ by standin’ still.”

  Sitting on the edge of the coffee table, I lift the lid and stare down at its contents. Inside is a bottle of Feelin’ Flirty Pink nail polish, a strawberry Now and Later, a small package of tissues, and a note.

  Unwrapping the candy, I pop it into my mouth. Grabbing the note, I sit the box beside me and read:

  Beck,

  The secret is out, I stole your nail polish just like you stole my heart. Tonight, I want to live in the memories of all those times I felt myself falling for you.

  Your mission, Rebecca Edwards, if you choose to accept it, is to go back to where it all began.

  Love,

  Mitch.

  P.S. I want the nail polish back, woman.

  Maddie walks over, grabbing the note from my fingers. Her eyes soften and she sighs. “Aw.” Handing it back, she nods. “He’s good, really good.”

  “Were you in on this?” I ask, looking up at her.

  “Nope,” she answers, popping the p. “I’m absolutely offended since apparently the guys are.” Glancing at Tyler, she scrunches up her nose. “Asshole.”

  Tyler shrugs. “Shit was classified, Mad. Can’t go breakin’ protocol just because you’re my wife. Orders are orders. Bros before hos and all that shit.”

  “Did you just call me a ho?” She snorts, rolling her eyes.

  “Ho-rribly beautiful and forgiving?” he replies, batting his eyes innocently.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Maddie huffs, throwing up her hands in frustration. Her eyes snap to mine, and she smiles. “What the hell are you waitin’ for?” she asks. Pulling me to my feet, she hands me my truck keys and shoves me toward the door. “Go.”

  Running out the door, I jump in the truck and drive across town to the spa. The lights are all off, except for the one above my station. Mitch is nowhere to be found, leaving me disappointed.

  Hopping out, I make my way over to the window. Removing the pink envelope taped to the glass, I quickly open it. Inside is another note and a piece of candy. Looking around the parking lot, I make my way back to the truck before reading.

  I was waiting on Tyler while he dropped off lunch to Maddie and saw you. It was all over for me. I may have loved you even then.

  At the bottom of the letter is an address. Pop’s address.

  Starting the truck, I head out of town toward the base. Turning off the main road, I choke on a sob when I see the house I was raised in come into
view. No lights are on and of course I know Pop isn’t here.

  Another pink envelope is taped to the screen door. Inside, you guessed it, a strawberry Now and Later and a note. I scan the yard, looking for Mitch, but he is nowhere to be found.

  “Mitch!” I shout, before heading back to the truck to use the interior lights to read the note.

  Tears burn my eyes just thinking about all the thought Mitch put into this night. All the well-thought-out planning and having the guys in on it. No one has ever made me feel so special, so loved.

  Swiping at a tear, I unfold the wrapper and slip the candy into my mouth then open the note.

  You’ve given me so much, Beck. Love, laughter, a future that I look forward to; all things I never thought I’d have. I never told you, but I was scared shitless the first time I stepped onto the porch and met your Pop. I knew I wasn’t worthy of his granddaughter and told him that. You know what he did, Beck? He laughed and told me something I’ll never forget.

  “None of us deserve love like that, Mitchell, but thank fuck for it. Without it, we’re just existing,” Mitch says through the opened truck window.

  “Shit!” I scream, jumping in my seat. “Where the hell did you come from and how did you get here?” I ask, knowing I have the truck.

  “Frank drove me out and parked behind the house so you wouldn’t see us until I wanted you to,” he says, pointing out toward the old barn where Pop keeps his moonshine still. Opening the door, he takes my hand and eases me to my feet. “All I want in fifty years is to be sitting on this porch with you, reliving every memory all over again.”

  “Mitch.” I sniffle, a tear running down my cheek. “You already proposed weeks ago, remember?”

  “I remember,” he replies, his lips quirking up in a smile. Pulling something from his pocket, he hands it to me.

  Another pink envelope.

  I open the letter and this time, it’s an invitation. Thick cream cardstock with pink embossed lettering.

  Mitchell Taylor would like to invite you to become his lawfully wedded wife and partner on Saturday April 19th. Services will be held at the Unity Park Gazebo in Las Vegas, Nevada at three o’clock in the afternoon.

  A life full of happiness and love to follow.

  “You really planned everything?” I ask, looking up into his eyes.

  Closing the last of the distance between us, he wraps his arms around me and nods. “Small and simple like you wanted. It will be beautiful, Beck. Your schedule for work has been handled, I spoke to Maxine and she said it was about time.”

  “We’re really doing this,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

  “This weekend,” he whispers leaning down and brushing his lips over mine gently. “Forever or bust.”

  Chapter Nine

  Mitch

  Sitting across the desk from my Commanding Officer, I look over my re-enlistment paperwork. “You’re sure about this, Taylor?” he asks for the fifteenth time.

  I nod. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Very well.” He pushes to his feet. “Come in when you get back and we can officially get all the papers filed.”

  Standing, I salute him before heading out to the truck to get Becky from work. Bags are packed in the back seat and we are ready to leave for Vegas.

  This week has drug on incredibly slow, but I have managed to keep busy. Every detail of the wedding has been planned out between Ma, my buddy Luke, and me. I even had Maddie help me out a bit with some girly ends of shit she begged me not to neglect.

  With Ma in the nursing home, we’ll crash at Luke’s house in the suburbs until the wedding, before heading off for a few nights in a hotel suite downtown.

  Excitement churns in my stomach the entire drive, only amplifying when I see Becky stepping out onto the sidewalk. Opening the door to the truck, I step out and meet her.

  “Wow, look at you, stud.” Stepping closer, she brushes her hand up my arm. “I never could resist a man in uniform.”

  “Had business on base today,” I inform her. “All settled ‘til we get back. You ready to go?” I ask, pressing a kiss to her lips.

  “Yeah,” she replies, following me to the truck. Climbing inside, she scoots over enough to let me in. “Maddie said she and Tyler are driving up with Pop tomorrow after she gets off work. Diya and Micah won’t be up until Saturday morning.”

  “I told you,” I say pulling the truck out of the parking lot onto the street, heading for the freeway. “I’ve got everything handled, baby. Nothing for you to worry about except putting on that dress you bought and show up.”

  Grabbing the package of Now and Laters from the glove box, she opens a blue raspberry one and holds it up to my lips. Wrapping my fingers around her wrist, I suck her fingers along with the candy between my lips and moan.

  “Don’t start something you can’t finish, sailor.” Pulling her fingers from my mouth, she tosses a strawberry piece in her mouth before placing the pack on the other side of the seat.

  “Woman, I can and will finish everything I start with you,” I toss out with a low growl. “Just wait until we get to Luke’s.”

  Cocking her head sideways, Becky laughs. “Is it just me or did you forget to handle one tiny, yet important detail?” Reaching up, she taps on the dash beside the gas hand. “Won’t get very far on that, especially not all the way to Vegas.”

  Looking down, I curse under my breath. I hadn’t expected to take so long at the base and forgot to gas up the damn truck. “Damn, it’s already gonna be late by the time we get there.”

  “It’s no big deal, Mitch.” Placing her hand on my thigh, Becky runs her thumb along the seam of my uniform pants. “Stop and get gas down the freeway a bit. I’ll run in and grab us something more filling than candy to eat and we’ll get back on the road. No big deal.”

  “If you say so, boss lady,” I reply. Taking the ramp to the freeway, I concentrate on the road while Becky messes with the radio stations trying to find something to listen to.

  Chapter Ten

  Becky

  “I’m not re-enlisting with my unit,” Mitch says after a while, his eyes not leaving the road.

  “Wait, what?” I ask, turning in my seat to face him. “What does that mean, Mitch?” I ask, not quite sure what to do about the words that just came out of his mouth. Words I never thought I’d hear him say anytime soon.

  “I’ve put in for a transfer to stay on at Fallon full time. It’s not guaranteed, but my C.O. says I have a good chance staying on there to maintain the aircraft on base.”

  “Is that what you want?” I ask, knowing that Mitch loves what he does. “Are you going to be okay giving up being out there to take care of the aircraft on the front lines?”

  Signaling, Mitch leaves the freeway. Not speaking, he drives down the ramp and pulls into a truck stop. Stopping at a pump, he turns off the truck before turning to face me. “Listen to me, because I’m only saying this one time and I’m never addressing that bullshit again,” he says, his eyes flickering. “If I never deploy again, I’m satisfied with my path. This is what I want. You’re what I want, Becky. No matter what happens between then and now, if you look at me like you are now after all those years, I’ll die a happy fuckin’ man.” Leaning in closer, he brushes his lips over mine, softly. It’s so damn tender that it makes my toes curl in my shoes. “You’re the most important thing in my life, Beck. Nothing in my fuckin’ life is more significant.”

  “Okay,” I say, blowing out a breath. “Let’s get married. If your transfer goes through, we’ll be ready for it. If it doesn’t, and you’re deployed again, we’ll handle it. Like we always do,” I reply, letting my lips linger on his jaw. “I love you, Mitch.”

  Reaching around me, he snatches the pack of candy and unwraps one. “Now that that’s settled, I’ll fill the truck the rest of the way up if you wanna grab food and drinks?”

  “Yeah, I’ll get right on it,” I tease when he tosses the blue candy into his mouth. Climbing from the truck, I grab my purse an
d start for the front doors of the truck stop.

  Just as I step up onto the sidewalk, a little raven-haired boy no older than two runs out the doors. “Logan, no! Wait for mommy,” a woman shouts, lugging a pink baby carrier.

  Reaching out, I grab his hand. “Hey, how about we wait for Mommy?” I ask as his deep-brown eyes meet mine.

  “Trucks!” he shouts, pointing with his free hand.

  “Thank you,” the woman says, setting down her carrier. Kneeling down in front of Logan, she points her finger at him. “Logan, you scared me. You cannot run ahead of me, you could’ve been hurt.”

  “Sorry, Momma.” His sweet reply melts my heart.

  Standing to her feet, she holds out her hand for me to shake. “I’m Leanne. Thank you so much. Sometimes I feel like they tag team me as soon as their dad isn’t around.”

  “I bet,” I say, shaking her hand. “I’m Becky. Here,” I say, hoisting Logan up onto my hip. “I’ll make sure mister handsome here gets to the car.”

  Logan wraps his arms around me, comfortable just to be in my arms and it feels good. It feels right. Leanne grabs the carrier with her baby girl before leading the way to her beat up, white Dodge Caravan. Logan rests his head on my shoulder while Leanne clicks the baby seat into place. “There you go, Allie, now let’s get big brother settled.”

  “Hey, there you are,” Mitch says from behind me. “Find someone younger and better lookin’, huh? Damn, that’s the way it goes.” He chuckles, ruffling Logan’s hair.

  Handing Logan to Leanne, I smirk at Mitch. “This is Logan, we were just talking about the trucks. Logan, this is Mitch.”

  “Oh, I see,” Mitch says, grinning down at the kids now buckled up inside the van.

  “It’s been a long day,” Leanne says, exhaling roughly. “Thank you again, Becky.”

  “You won’t be getting very far on that.” Mitch says, reaching around me to kick the flat, back tire.