Passion's Instinct

Sixty

Natalie

The next morning, after Hayden recovered, it was time to present my surprise to him.

Getting Scarlett to watch the kids, we were free for our appointment... one that wasn't as daunting as it sounded.

I mean, it was a surprise.

I was still sort of scared, though.

I told Hayden the address of the place since he was driving, to see what his reaction would be when we drove up.

And when we drove up, and he saw that the sign on the shop said Tattoo Parlor, he hit his forehead repeatedly with his palm.

I laughed, and he looked up at the sign again, leaning over the steering wheel. "Natalie! We talked about this, but I didn't think we would do it yet..."

I took his hand and looked into his eyes. "Don't be a wimp, babe. We're gonna do this."

"You're talking about that couple tattoo thing, right?"

"Yes, but it's not just about us. It's about the kids, too."

He shook his head, staring at me. "So... what? The kids are getting them, too?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, you goof. Remember? We talked about getting their birthdays in Roman numerals on our sides."

"Yeah... alright. Fine. This is for you, babe." He smiled a little, shaking his head again. "Let's do it."

***********************************

We sat in the tattoo shop together, in one room together, waiting for the two tattoo artists to come in and ink us.

Hayden sat with his back to me, the skin of his back touching mine, warm. He reached back and laced his fingers between mine.

"I love you, Hayden. And even though this might hurt, it'll be worth it. And I think it will... bring us closer together."

"Tattoos will bring us closer together?" Hayden laughed a little. "No, I know what you mean."

The two tattoo artists came in and sat down with their equipment in hand. Hayden and I looked at each other, both with nervous expressions.

"This is it," I said.

He nodded, gritting his teeth.

"This is it."

A/N: Media: meant to imply Hayden and Natalie's tattoos, but they're the three dates of Sawyer's, Temple's and August's birthday's, without words. And Hayden's chest is more muscular XD