Encore! (Tudor Saga Book 1) (26 page)

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