Page 9

Chapter Seven

Darcy

“Here, Mommy.” I’d pressed my rosy, red lips to the piece of paper mommy handed me after I put on the new lipstick she bought. No idea why she wanted that, but it was kinda cute to see. Red lipstick wasn’t my color of choice, but it made the pretty picture nice and bright.

Mommy laughed. “Thank you. I can see you’re not fond of the lipstick, go ahead and wash it off.”

“’Kay.” I scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed, but it stained my lips anyway. “Ugh, stupid lipstick.”

“Well, I hope you’ll think it’s worth it when you see why I asked. Let’s head down the boardwalk.”

We’d just dropped off our bags at the room then Mommy said we had somewhere special to go.

Don’t think she realized but since she saved me from myself my life has been one big special day.

It was so nice out on the beach, playing in the sand without a single worry.

Just me and mommy. When had my life ever been worry free whether it was finding food when I was younger to getting my first job at sixteen so I could buy my own food.

The answer was easy – never, until mommy came along.

Sarah did as much as she could, which was great and I appreciated everything she did for me, but she and Vale weren’t rich either and taking on another mouth to feed wasn’t cheap.

Point being she wasn’t my birth giver, and she shouldn’t have had to take on the responsibility of another child, but she did and never once complained.

I owed her and Vale so much. They were my true family and now we had mommy and Daddy Jack too.

“Ah, here we are.”

I’d been lost in thought as we walked along. Thinking and watching everything, paying no mind which direction we headed until Mommy stopped. In front of a tattoo parlor.

Blink. Blink.

“Are we getting tattoos, Mommy?” I didn’t have any, wasn’t sure I wanted any, but if mommy wanted one then maybe I did too. Though I wasn’t one for pain…unless it came in the form of spankings with happy tickle endings.

“Mommy is, Princess.” We stepped inside and the girl behind the counter greeted us. She sure did have a lot of piercings, but they were kinda cool. I was only ever brave enough to get my ears pierced—once.

“Welcome, ladies. How can we help you?”

Mommy handed her the kissy paper. “I’d like to see about getting this tattooed over my heart.”

Wait, what?

Mommy squeezed my hand. Had I said that out loud? Oops.

“Let me see if one of the artists are available.”

As soon as she was out of earshot had to make sure I heard right. “You’re putting my kiss over your heart?” My eyes filled with tears. Mommy loved me enough to have me inked on her skin for like, forever.

“Yes, my love, I am. Placing you over the part of my body you and you alone have full control of.”

And then the stupid tears fell…

But mommy brushed them away and kissed me. “Happy tears, Princess?”

“The happiest, Mommy. But um, isn’t that gonna hurt?” Maybe mommy liked the pain? She liked to give it to people that were happy to receive it so maybe she did too. But then I realized that Mommy didn’t have any other tattoos.

“It will but I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end. After this we’ll get dinner.”

We slept in so late our breakfast ended up being lunch. I was so comfy in the big fluffy bed with mommy’s arms wrapped around me. It was like the warmest, safest, softest blankie ever and I slept like a baby.

“Ladies.” A woman covered in colorful tattoos walked up holding mommy’s paper. “I’m Zia, nice to meet you both.”

“I’m Vivienne and this is my partner, Darcy.” Mommy wasn’t embarrassed of our lifestyle, but she always said, “know your audience,” and I had a feeling this was one of those times where less shared and keeping PDA to a minimum was best because this wasn’t our normal audience.

“I’m between appointments and this one won’t take long. Give me a few minutes to draw it up. Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”

Mommy grinned and winked at me and a giggle escaped. “Check out all the art on the wall.” Her suggestion was one way to keep us both quiet.

“Some of these are seriously cool.” Maybe someday a little ladybug above my ankle would be cute. We’d just sat down and started thumbing through the three-ring binders of more art on the table when Zia came back.

“How’s this?” She had Mommy check out the mockup.

“Perfect.”

“Alright, if you’re ready then follow me.

” We followed her back to her station and watched as she sanitized and got the colors set up.

“You came prepared dressed in a swimsuit.” Mommy just had to slide one strap out of the way, then Zia wiped her down with antiseptic and put the transfer in place, then held up a mirror to it for Mommy to see. “Is that where you want it?”

“Exactly.”

Zia got to work, and I held mommy’s hand, my eyes glued to her chest. It was pretty cool watching my lips come to life on her skin. Each time it hurt, mommy squeezed my hand tight but never once complained. She was a trooper and the whole thing only took about forty-five minutes.

“All done.” Zia went over the care instructions with her and handed her a paper with the same thing on it. She wiped Mommy’s tattoo down then put a clear bandage over it. Mommy paid her and gave her a big tip, then we went to eat.

“That is so cool, Mommy!” It was beyond awesome.

“It didn’t tickle. That’s for sure but it’s worth it to have a piece of my baby with me. Always.” Mommy hugged me tightly and kissed me. Right there on the sidewalk in front of everyone. Between the tattoo and the tender moment, I was a happy girl.

Could my life really be this easy after all the years of fighting just to stay alive?

Happiness was a scary emotion when you weren’t used to feeling it.

We found a cute little bistro with a water view and were able to get a table outside. “Watch out for the seagulls,” the hostess said as she handed us a menu. “They’ll steal your food if you walk away.

“Good to know,” Mommy told her. “Thank you.”

“Your waiter will be with you in a moment.”

By the time he came over we knew what we wanted. Mommy ordered for both of us while I enjoyed the view. I’d sent Vale more pictures today then I had in all the years we’d been friends. But how could I not with mother nature’s majesty staring right at me.

“I can never thank you enough for all of this, Mommy.” There was no way to ever repay her.

“Your happiness is all the thanks I need, baby girl. Seeing your smile today was everything to me. What would you like to do tomorrow? Anything particular you want to see?”

So many places ran through my head, but did I really want to people or relax more just me and Mommy. “There are places I’d like to see, someday. But today was perfect and relaxing. What if we just hang out again and sight see?”

“A girl after my own heart.” She glanced down at her chest. “The girl who already owns my heart.”

“Mommy, I love you so much it scares me.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “Why?”

“Because the only person I ever loved who loved me back was Vale. And that was a completely different love than I feel for you. This time I could lose my heart.”

Mommy reached across the table and took my hands in hers. Her gaze bore into mine. “If those beautiful lips over my heart don’t prove I’m in it for the long haul, then I don’t know what else to do.”

I was such a fool, standing in my own way. “You’re right, Mommy. I’m sorry. I’m just scared. I’ll be better, I promise.”

“I know you will, sweet girl. Hell, I’d marry you today if it made you feel better.

” I swear, my eyes popped out of my head and got sucked right back in.

“Shocked ya, didn’t I?” She had that sneaky Mommy smile again.

“Baby girl, you need to tell me where to start and stop. Do you want me in control of everything including money? Whatever you want, you’ve got it.

Do you want to get married? We could hit Vegas on the way home.

I’m not afraid of a life with you, I’m afraid of a life without you. ”

How did she make me cry so dang easily?

“You can have control over it all but what if I want to get you something? I don’t want to have to ask for money.” Defeated the purpose of giving a gift in my eyes.

“Why don’t you keep your money for you and when it runs low Mommy will give her good girl chores to earn more. Sound fair?”

“Yes, Mommy. But what about my share of the bills?” Living in the heart of Seattle, her bills had to be insanely high.

“Living expenses and groceries are Mommy’s to handle. Were you wanting a lavish wedding with all the Princess fixings?”

She was serious about the whole married thing. I thought it was a joke.

“We can wait and get married and have the wedding of your dreams.”

“My dreams never included a wedding.” Mostly because I believed it wasn’t in the cards for me. Did I want a fancy one? No. “I’d rather have a big reception with all our friends than a big wedding.” I never understood spending all that money for a few minutes of attention.

Were we really talking about a real wedding or hypothetical?

“So, was that a yes then?”

Um, not hypothetical…

But so fucking exciting I squealed, dumped the chair over and planted myself in her lap. “Yes! Yes! All the yeses in the world. I love you so freaking much, Mommy.”

Mommy’s laughter rang out along the patio. “I love you too, baby girl.”

The waiter cleared his throat. Shoot, when had he walked up.

“Sorry,” Mommy smiled wide. “But she said yes.”

“Oh my god!” He nearly dropped our food. “Congratulations.” Hurriedly, he sat our plates down. “Did you need anything else?” He was in an awful big hurry. Had we made him uncomfortable?

“I think we’re fine. Thank you.” Mommy kissed me again and I planted my butt back in my chair so we could eat. A few minutes later, the waiter came back with all the staff.

“Congratulations!” They cheered. My face flushed but I was so freaking happy.

“Thank you.”

“We didn’t know if you drank so you have your pick of a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider on the house.” Huh, I guess certain places were accepting of us and our lifestyle.

“I think this is a special enough occasion for the real stuff, what do you say, fiancé?”

I was Mommy’s fiancé.

Words escaped me so all I managed was a nod. The waiter popped the cork and filled two champagne flutes. “Congratulations again. I’ll be back in a bit to check on you. Enjoy your meals, ladies.”

“A toast,” Mommy held her glass up. “To us and the best spur of the moment decision I ever made.” She stole a peek at her chest. “Make that the best two.”

I tapped my glass to hers. “To us and to true love not being a myth.” I grabbed my phone. “Let’s do a selfie. Hold up your glass again, Mommy.” Once her smiling face was in the shot, I took it and fired it off to Vale with the caption, ‘I said yes’. “Now, count to three.”

“Huh?” I’d confused Mommy until my phone rang, and Vale’s squeal came through loud and clear before I’d even put it on speaker.

“You better not get married without me!” Vale screamed.

“Then you and your daddy better meet us in Vegas this weekend,” Mommy fired back. I was just along for the ride, the only thing missing was a bucket of popcorn. “I have a better idea, Jack.”

“Oh yeah, do I even want to hear it?”

“I think you do. Let’s make it a double wedding in Vegas this weekend.”

Mommy was full of surprises today but with the other end of the phone completely silent I was afraid her suggestion hadn’t been well received.

“If both my kids are getting married, someone better be footing the bill for this old lady’s first trip to Vegas.”

Leave it to Sarah to break the uncomfortable silence with a joke.

“Daddy?” Vale’s shaky voice made me nervous. “What-what do you think?”

“I think the ring I’ve had stashed away finally has a day and location. What do you say, monkey. Will you marry your daddy?”

Holy guacamole! The man on the moon probably heard Vale’s scream at the decibel level he hit.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. You broke the old lady’s ear drums.”

“Momma, we’re not even religious. Where are you getting these sayings from? Plus, you’re not even fifty so what’s with the old lady stuff?”

“Um, monkey?” Jack broke their banter. “Was that a yes or a no?”

“Shoot, sorry daddy. That was yes! Yes a million times over!”

“Vegas baby!” Sarah’s voice rang out. There was no way to keep a straight face around her. That woman was one of a kind and I considered myself lucky to have her in my life.

Two lost kids from Seattle, trying to find their way in life. Who knew working on a cruise ship would bring us both the happiness we craved and our forevers too?