Page 99 of Samuel

“Yeah, she’ll be three soon. In fact, we have another one on the way.” He beamed over at Scarlett who rolled her eyes but then gave us a mile-wide smile.

“Oh wow, congratulations.”

“Yes, congratulations,” Maisie added. “When’s it due?”

There was a glint of something in her eye and I felt a little thrill thinking that maybe my desire for another kid wouldn’t be too difficult to make happen.

“Scar’s only just thirteen weeks, so a way to go yet. My mum is more excited than we are, I think.”

“How are your mum and Dex?”

Dex was Isaac’s step-dad and owned the studio and was one of the most sought after tattoo artists around, although Isaac seemed to be catching him up.

“They’re great. My little brother and sisters keep them occupied, although Annie is still living in London after she finished Uni, she’s working for some huge software company as a trainee development manager or something.” He shook his head. “I have no idea what the high flying circles are that she mixes in. As for Charlie well he’s got girls galore turning up on the doorstep and Savannah is getting bossier the older she gets, but it’s all good. They’re all happy as Larry, whoever the hell Larry is.”

“I think she’s asleep,” Maisie said, nodding at Ava.

Isaac kissed the top of her head and sighed. “Okay, let me put her down in the back and then we’ll get started.”

“What exactly are you having done?” Maisie asked, dropping a kiss to my bicep.

“I’ve told you, you’ll have to wait and see.” I passed her my credit card. “Now go and spend some money because I’ll be a couple of hours.”

I winked, gave her a kiss and then followed Isaac to the studio.

* * *

“Oh my god, Sam,” Maisie gasped as her finger tips gently touched underneath the tattoo that Isaac had done.

He hadn’t wrapped it yet, so that Maisie and Frankie could see and although it was still a little raw and tender, there was no denying he’d done another amazing job, particularly as he’d done it free hand.

On my left ab was a man carrying a boy and above it in script were the words

“I am hers, she is mine and he is who we created”

Below the man and boy it said;

“Frankie, my son, my life”

“Is that for me, Dad?” Frankie asked, his face full of awe.

I nodded. “You and your mum.”

“Because she’s yours and you’re hers?”

“Yep, exactly that.”

I swallowed the thick lump in my throat and pulled Frankie to my side, watching Maisie carefully as she continued to study the tattoo.

“Do you like it?” I asked tentatively. “The tattoo and the sentiment behind it.”

She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and nodded. “I love it and I love you.” Reaching up onto her tiptoes she kissed me, taking care not to rub against me.

When she took a step back I watched her beautiful brown eyes fall onto my chest again, I knew the time was right. Fuck it and fuck any plans of a romantic picnic.

I reached into my jeans pocket and pulled out the small, velvet box and with an arm still around Frankie I cleared my throat. Maisie looked up at me and then noticed the box in the flat of my shaking palm that I was holding out to her.

“Sam,” she gasped.