Tattooed Moon (29 page)

To make matters even more joyous, all of his friends from his apprenticeship would be there, even the ones that had moved away. His mother, stepfather, nephew and sister would also attend, along with a boatload of his childhood friends and acquaintances from neighboring tattoo salons. None of that mattered as much as that moment, right there, though…

He stared at Milan, unable to take his eyes off of her. He studied her, trying to make it all sink in.

I’m about to marry this woman, and this time, it will be forever…

I love her to death. I can’t believe this. But…I would really do anything for her. She makes me feel crazy. I love feeling like this…

He briefly turned away from her and watched Cedrick’s handiwork on his finger as the man twisted it to get a better angle. He drifted back into a cloud of memories and ‘what if’ thoughts regarding their pending nuptials. He knew her friends would soon be waiting for her at the church, dressed in their matching sky blue gowns, and he could see she was train wreck of nerves, though a happy wreck nevertheless. He was happy though that her uncle would be walking her down the aisle. His stepfather had even volunteered once his mother told him that the ‘poor girl’ didn’t have her folks anymore. That struck Julian as odd, but in a good way. He couldn’t recall too many times when his stepfather showed he had a half-way beating heart. The thought gave him an inward chuckle. No one’s frailties and pitfalls had to be permanent. No, they could change, unlike a tattoo…

He looked down at the ground as memories of visiting his father’s grave entered his mind, and then, snippets from the life of the man overtook his thoughts. But he pushed them away, put a distance between him and the pain that death brought, focusing instead on freedom and love. Yeah, his parents weren’t romantic storybook characters, nor would he and Milan be such…but he’d die trying to get as close as possible to that perfection.

He looked back up and saw her big brown eyes focused on him. She wore a pretty smile, the kind he wanted to touch, to become one with.

She mouthed, “I…love…you.”

“I love you too, baby.” He winked at her and slowly turned away.

This was the first Saturday ever in ‘Soul Inscription’ history that they were closed, and he was so relaxed with that, especially since his life was experiencing a warm renewal. He was about to exchange words that meant something to him, to say them in front of two hundred and thirty-nine people that they cared about, to say them to one another and mean that shit, from the bottom of their hearts. He never told Milan, but he had a feeling about her as soon as he’d laid eyes on the woman. He never believed in love at first sight until he saw her pain, and could understand it, to its deepest depths, but it was her strength through that adversity that blew him away. Through her, he was allowed to see that he, too, had never fully released the pain. He’d thought he’d had, but she taught him that he was only fooling himself by wearing a smile as if it were a Band-Aid, trying to cover the hideously agonizing emotional wounds.

As he’d placed that tattoo of her mother on her body, each prick of the needle was his way of attempting to kiss and soothe her torment away. He could tell, by her tightened muscles and her facial expressions, that she was being a trooper for all the wrong reasons. He wanted the woman to shed blood, to release all that was toxic and wrong with her world. He wanted to give her permission to do that because hell, she was beautiful, and secondly, she deserved to release it and let go, so she could get back to her true self—as his bride.

That night after he’d given her the tattoo and she’d left after he stole a kiss, he imagined them together in an actual relationship, and she stayed in his thoughts, daydreams and fantasies to the point that once he got to know her, he understood without a shadow of a doubt—she completed him. He felt their soul connection, convinced they were linked by something more powerful than themselves…

He just had to have her, and though he’d felt he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of being with her, he tried anyway… and she allowed him into her world. The woman enveloped him in want, and he felt secure against her beautiful soul…

“Alright, you’re all done,” Cedrick stated as he got to his feet. Julian looked at the man’s work discriminately, and was rather pleased with what he saw.

“Almost done…” Alex offered as he finished Milan’s. The woman leaned far back, biting her bottom lip, stifling a scream no doubt.

The things we do for love…

Julian grinned and got to his feet as Bonobo’s CD played, ‘Animal Magic,’ one of his favorite bands of all time.

“You got your tux ’nd everything, man?” Cedrick asked as he walked back over to his station and cleaned the area off.

“Of course. How about you?”

“I’m getting dressed at the church,” he answered. They looked at one another for a moment, both smiling, on the verge of cracking up at the surrealism of it all. Julian caught a suspicious glimmer in the guy’s eyes, as though he wanted to say so much, but couldn’t form the words. Suddenly, Cedrick made his way up to him, his steps stomping loud across the floor. He grabbed him tight to his frame and gave him a hearty hug.

“Congrats, man. I’m
really
happy for you…for both of you.” He released Julian and waved at Milan, who was watching the encounter through slit-like eyes.

“Thank you,” Milan responded, a forced a smile on her face. Julian realized she was experiencing a barrage of pain, but she tried nevertheless.

“I’m going to clean my stuff and get going. I’ll see you over there.”

“Cool. See you in a little bit, man.”

“Cedrick tidied up his table, grabbed his jacket, threw his arm in the air and gave the ‘deuces’ sign as he left the place, the door swinging behind him.

“Aaaaand, I’m all finished!” Alex announced proudly. Milan looked down at it, turning her finger to and fro.

“Alex, this is lovely! I wasn’t sure how’d I feel about it, but it is just gorgeous!”

Julian rushed over to examine it for himself. He had to nod in agreement.

“You did that perfectly, Alex… That is
really
nice.” Julian gently lifted her hand, studying it even closer, like a fine craftsman.

“Thank you. Glad you like it. Yours looks good too, Julian. Cedrick did a good job.”

“Yeah, he did.” Julian scratched his head. “I guess we better get going.”

“Yeah, I’m going to clean my equipment and go on over to the church, too. Angela called and said everything is fine, the finishing touches are being put in place.”

Milan nodded. “She’s been helping the wedding coordinator and sending me text messages this entire time with progress reports. Angela is so sweet.”

“Yeah.” Julian huffed. “Until you have to work with her!” He teased as Alex moved about, hurrying to break free.

Julian went around the place, making sure things were just so as his fiancé disappeared into the restroom. Soon, Alex was gone too, and it was just him standing there, in the stillness of the early morning in the salon. The sun drifted in tranquil waves through the glass of the door, highlighting the recently disturbed dust, sparkling like dust particles from diamond dreams. He looked around, serene spirits creeping within him, taking him over… He’d be leaving on his honeymoon to Cancun soon. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been on a vacation, let alone with someone he was madly in love with. He ran his hand down his face, turned off the music and waited for Milan to return to him.

After a few moments, he heard the faucet water turn off, and she entered the main lobby, where he waited for her by the door.

“Are you ready, baby?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and seasoned his lips with a seductive kiss. Enveloping his arms around her body, he pulled her in close and slicked his tongue within her mouth, never wishing to release her. After a few moments, they broke free from one another. He drew a tiny yellow rose out of his jacket pocket and wedged it between her curlers, causing her to burst out laughing. She reached atop her head and patted it, a tender grin creased her face as her fingertips moved gingerly against the petals.

“That’s so sweet!”

He kissed her cheek, opened the front door and watched her saunter away to his freshly cleaned and shiny, parked car in front of the shop, then turned to lock up. ‘Soul Inscriptions’ was officially closed for the day. He could feel his own heartbeat increase as he walked away and joined her. Taking a deep breath, he started the car, took her hand in his and held it tight as he pulled away from the curb to merge with the sleepy traffic. As he drove, he could hear the church bells in the near distance as the clock struck ten in the morning. Soon, he’d be standing at the altar with her, making promises that he planned to keep. He was on his way, and he couldn’t get there fast enough for the woman that stole his soul, also left indelible ink across his very heart. She was destined to be his forevermore. Oh yes, he was going to that big church alright. He was going to make the woman of his dreams, the wife of his reality.

….For they were one and the same…

*

Two years later…

“Julian, aren’t you
going to finish your breakfast?” The woman stood there in the kitchen with a smirk on her face as she brought her silver tea mug to her lips for another sip. Her dark eyes narrowed upon him, and she set the thing down, enticing him with her slippery, seductive ways. He inhaled the air, smelling her perfume wafting in the air… oh how sweet she truly was.

“…I already ate.” He savored her flavor still resting within his mouth, loving all that she was and would become. Tossing her a casual wink, he rounded the corner to the living room, looking for his car keys. Julian ensured he was the first one at the shop, for now, he did more overseeing than hands on work after he’d been ambushed by Angela and Milan, a makeshift intervention. The life of tattooing however was engrained within him, inked, etched, forever… and he’d never be able to leave his love for it alone. However, he understood that there had to be balance, for without it, all things unleveled eventually slide and slip away.

So, he discovered a happy medium. He kept his work by appointment only, and ensured he didn’t bite off more than he could chew…well, at least the majority of the time. Soul Inscriptions had expanded; so much so, one of the upper rooms that used to be rented out to students had to be used for additional storage supply. There was simply no way around it – he’d become a true success. He had six artists in his shop, all of whom were acclaimed, accomplished, respected, and hand chosen by himself. Financial stability was his, but that didn’t mean shit to him in the grand scheme of things. What mattered most was that he had
her
…

Milan had his back, his front, his sky, his earth, his heart, his soul, his past, his present, and now his damn future…and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He glanced up at the clock above his fireplace then raced back into the kitchen, plucking the little woman off her feet and into his arms.

I can’t leave just yet… Fuck it. I’ll just have to be late…

“Ahhhhh!” Milan squealed. “I’m going to be late for work if you don’t put me down.” He showered her with flirty kisses, ignoring her protests. She giggled.

“You’re a manager now, who cares!”

She smirked and dramatically rolled her eyes as he hoisted her even higher into his arms and led her back into their bedroom.

“Julian!” Breaking into laughter, she kicked and pounded his back as he claimed her like some caveman. And then, he paused before the black linen covered bed… the damn thing was his favorite Goth like retreat, equipped with recently extinguished white and red candles, and the delicious scent of vanilla musk still heavy in the air. Oh yes, this is where it all began…memories, sweet feather and rose quartz covered memories…

Flashes of when he’d made love to her the very first time entered his mind, crept into his psyche. Oh, how he loved how she gave herself to him… for he needed her far more than she ever needed him.

Snapping back into the present, he gently laid her down. He slowly sat back on his knees, relishing his feminine prize, then parted her silky robe, exposing his twin flame, his soulmate, his womb-moon for his personal pleasure…

“Ahhh…” She sighed ever so lightly as he gently ran his fingertips along her knee. Julian swallowed, taking her all in, and delicately traced the side of her long neck, the dip of her prominent collarbones, and got off on her increased breathing, panting…for he knew she was anticipating his next move. He needed to draw closer,
much
closer…not for sex, but for intimacy, to worship at her altar. Knowing him the way she did, she pulled him towards her, made him lay his weary head against her bare, soft breasts. He pressed his cheek gently into the right one as he cupped the other in a delicate cradle, his body flush against her as he lay on his side. They said nothing… only breathed… and breathed some more. Soon, he let his fingers meander down her chest, slowly…so slowly… And then, there it was… He leaned down for a spell, and pressed his lips firmly against her navel—careful so very careful…