Bikeriders Serenade

A Promise in Ink

It was a warm Saturday afternoon when Austin found himself sitting on the grass in the backyard, playing with little Mia. The sun was high, casting a soft golden glow on everything it touched. As they played, Austin’s laughter echoed across the yard, mingling with Mia’s delighted giggles. He had always cherished moments like these, where the world felt simple and peaceful.

While running her tiny hands across Austin's arm, Mia suddenly paused. Her fingers hovered over the tattoo on his forearm—a motorcycle surrounded by blooming orange blossoms and a compass. She tilted her head, curiosity filling her bright eyes. "Daddy, what's that on your arm?" she asked, her voice innocent and full of wonder.

Austin smiled, his gaze softening. "This? Well, sweetheart, it's a tattoo I got to remind me of where I've been and where I'm going. The motorcycle is for the adventures I’ve had, the compass is for finding my way, and the flowers... they remind me of new beginnings."

Mia studied the tattoo for a moment longer before looking up at him with a smile. "I like it," she said simply, her small voice carrying a weight Austin wasn’t expecting.

A surge of warmth filled his chest. He pulled Mia close and hugged her gently, kissing the top of her head. "Thank you, sweetheart."

As they sat there in the stillness of the moment, Austin felt a deep sense of gratitude. Mia’s presence in their lives had brought so much light and joy. She had been the missing puzzle piece that made everything feel complete. Right then, as he held her, he silently made a promise to himself—he would get another tattoo, one just for her. Something that would forever symbolize the love and happiness she had brought into his life.

A week later, the opportunity presented itself.

Lucy had planned a trip to a local museum with Lori, Timmy, and Noah. As Austin helped her load the kids into the car, he gave her a gentle kiss and smiled. "You guys have fun. I’ll catch up with you later."

"Sure, we’ll take our time," Lucy said, smiling back, unaware of what Austin had in mind.

Once they were gone, Austin stood in the quiet of the driveway for a moment, watching them drive off. The silence felt heavy, but not in an uncomfortable way. It was the kind of silence that brought clarity. He turned back to the house, his heart racing slightly in anticipation.

Inside, he slipped on his jacket, grabbed his phone, and locked the front door behind him. As he got into his car and started the engine, a wave of excitement mingled with nervousness washed over him. He hadn’t been back to Maple Creek in a while, but this trip felt important—symbolic, even. The same tattoo artist who had inked his first meaningful tattoo was going to help him honor Mia in a special way.

As Austin drove through the familiar winding roads leading to Maple Creek, his mind wandered. Is this how life always feels as a parent? he thought to himself. You try your best to capture moments, but they slip by so fast. Mia’s already growing up, and yet, I feel like I’ve only just met her.

He felt a lump form in his throat, remembering the first time he held her. She had been so small, so fragile, and yet, from the moment she looked up at him with those big, curious eyes, he knew his life had changed forever.

This tattoo, Austin reflected as the trees blurred past his car windows, it’s not just for her. It’s for me too. A reminder that she’s made me better. A reminder of the joy she brings into my life every single day.

His mind shifted back to the moment earlier that week in the backyard, her little voice saying, "I like it." Something about the simplicity of her words had stirred something deep inside him. He wanted to carry that with him always.