The Ink That Haunts Us

Epilogue

Three months later

    "Say something already! You standing there staring in the mirror like that is freaking me out! Put me out of my misery here, Saw." There was an edge in Derek's voice as he spoke and I couldn't help the snicker that escaped me.

    Derek had been working the last month and a half on covering the scar on my torso. IT was the worst one and when I talked about having Mack cover it, Derek had begged me to let him do it. I was hesitant at first because Mack was the only person who had ever put ink on me. Derek was a fantastic artist, and I didn't doubt his abilities, it's just odd having someone other than Mack do it.

    When I promised to think about it, he didn't get upset. He took it as a challenge to win me over. He spent a full week drawing up multiple tattoo ideas for me. The first few he had shown me were amazing, they just weren't for me. But when he handed me the last idea, I was sold. It was gorgeous, and I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.

Now, standing in front of the mirror in Derek's studio, I was speechless. This tattoo was even better now that it was a permanent fixture on my skin. I had made the right choice in allowing Derek to tattoo me. I loved every single tattoo on my skin, but this one was my favorite, hands down.

    The tattoo was a cluster of roses and sunflowers that had lace and dangling jewels throughout them. It ran under my breasts, down to my belly button. The jewels and lace were black and white, blending perfectly with the yellow and red flowers. It was absolutely stunning.

    "Dammit, Saw!" Derek had lost his patience now and spun me around to face him. I dropped my hands, baring my breasts. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as he momentarily lost focus.

    "There are no words. It's incredible, stunning, beautiful, gorgeous. It's all the words." He focused on my face now, and I leaned forward pressing a kiss against his cheek.

    "You like it? Really?" He sounded surprised.

    "I love it, big head!"

    "I love you, Tink." He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.

    A low knock sounded on the door, before someone pushed it open.

    "Whoa!" Derek called, shielding me with his big body.

    "It's just me," Freya called, closing the door quickly. "The suspense is killing me. I know you're done. Your machine has been quiet for at least fifteen minutes."

    She moved closer, peering around Derek to look at me. I covered my breasts with my hands as Derek moved to the side. Her eyes widened as she took in the tattoo.

    "Oh my God!" She gaped, looking to Derek. "Holy shit, man! That is brilliant! I love these" She pointed to the lace and jewels. They really did accent the flowers.

    "Derek is brilliant." I smiled up at him.

    Before, having someone see me so exposed would have freaked me out. Now, I was more comfortable with my scars being on show. Derek was helping me with that. He has helped me with so many things and continues to help me when things get dark.

    He is my light.

     My life was back on track. Derek and I are finally where we should have been before everything happened. The first month was the hardest. The nightmares and anxiety attacks were enough to do me in. For a while, it felt like the only thing I did was visit my therapist. Things didn't seem to be getting better and my doubts were only making things worse.

    With the help of my friends and therapist, slowly, things started to get better. Once the first month was over, I started to feel more like things were turning around. I was starting to find myself again and that made me feel a lot less lost. Feeling lost was the hardest part for me. I had lost myself after what had happened to me and I struggled with the idea that I may never be that person again.