A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

NYC Tattoo

LENA POV

"Oh my God! I miss living here!! You smell it, Moms! That Bronx smell! I missed that smell so damn much!" Frankie beams as we get off the 6th train at our old Parkchester subway station as the nostalgia hits me big time as well. I turn to look at Stef who is laughing at our daughter, but I can clearly see on her face how happy she seems, and it makes me wonder more and more how much she actually missed living here.

It had been a rather fun morning for us as we had gotten bagels from Murray's down in the village, and Stef watched a bit of the basketball game they played down on West 4th while Frankie and I grabbed some cookies from Rocco's bakery and a few teas from our favorite tea shop near NYU.

I had forgotten how much I loved it down there, but of course our morning was also filled with Frankie begging Stef and I for a tattoo. Why? Well, not that I didn't mind seeing my wife's cleavage, but I think she had a moment of forgetfulness, or she was simply distracted because she wore a loose fitting tank that showed off her tattoo, and Frankie nearly died when she saw it. I think part of Stef died too, for she turned beat red and flushed with embarrassment. I could only laugh, for it was bound to happen at some point, but now Frankie was nearly hounding the both of us, and Stef had to tell her to shut the hell up more times then I could count.

"Oh I smell it, babe. Do you Len?" She asks, smiling at me.

"Yes. It's very memorable," I smile as we make our way down the platform when Frankie stops and points.

"MOMS!! Look!! Our old apartment!!!! It's still there! Our buildings!! MAMA DUKES, Mama look!! You see???" She continues to beam and gloat as Stef looks at me winking and turns back to Frankie.

"We see it, sweets, and of course the buildings are still standing, pretty girl. Why wouldn't they?" She gently runs her fingers through Frankies long pretty curls as our daughter gets her little camera out and snaps a photo.

"Let me take a picture of you, two. Stand there so we can see our old building in the background."

"Here, Frankie? I mean don't you want to get closer?" I say as she shakes her head.

"NOPE. I will, but I want one here too. Pleasseeee. Besides these are pre-wedding photos. Now, go over and stand there." I look at Stef who smiles at me, amused, and we stand where our daughter has asked us to as we both smile, but I feel Stef move and kiss my cheek right when Frankie snaps the photo.

"PERFECT! LET'S GO see if the handball court is still there and if Big BUTT BEVIS is still beating people!" She nearly bolts down the steps as Stef winks at me again and grabs my hand squeezing it as we make our way down and see Frankie standing at the bottom snapping more photos.

"Go on. You know the way," Stef says now lighting a smoke as Frankie smiles widely once again at her. We follow our daughter towards our old building, and I can't help but feel my heart race at all the familiar sites and sounds of the Bronx.

"You okay, sweets? Mm? Being here?"

"Yes. I don't think I realized how much I missed it, myself."

"Ahh, you mean this dirty city where my beautiful wife got mugged? I still feel bad about that, ya know. That should not have happened."

"Baby, that wasn't your fault. Things happen. And I'm fine being with you here. I really am. In fact, when you and Frankie go to the precinct, I'm going to walk around a bit."

"Alone?" Stef inquires, looking at me alarmed as we wait for the light to change, and she puffs her smoke.

"Yes. I'm a big girl you know," I laugh. "Plus Frankie is dying to go with you to your old job and just for an hour or so. I want to do this for myself to prove I'm fine here," I continue as she bores a hole in me like she doesn't believe a word I'm saying. We cross the street now as Stef looks towards Frankie to make sure she's in a safe distance as she breaks the silence between us.