Her Inked Heart

Chapter 10

Walking through the cemetery, Adam kept looking at all of the headstones of the people that weren't living, seeing the beautiful care each one had. Every step he took, he felt that his entire speech he had planned was going to say. Each step closer made him even more anxious than the previous.

Holding a bouquet of flowers, he places them down, looking at the name. Vincent Davis, Clara's father. Elizabeth gave the address and area that he was buried, so he could visit him.

"Hello, sir," Adam says, kneeling down to look at the stone, staring at his name. Adam felt awkward, but he didn't care. He felt it was respectable to talk to the father of Clara, even if it was a one-sided conversation, "My name is Adam, and I've been dating Clara for the past six months."

Taking a deep breath, a wave of emotions run over Adam. He didn't know whether to feel sad or awkward. He was squatting, talking to a tombstone, but didn't realize that it was something he needed to do.

"I came here today to make a promise to you," Adam says, taking another deep breath, "Man, I wish I could've done this when you were alive. Anyways, I, uh, I fell in love with Clara, and I really want to marry her."

Adam closes his eyes, trying to figure out what to say next. He had envisioned a more well-executed speech, but now he didn't know where to go. He knew that this conversation was going to help him decide what his next steps were in life, especially with Clara, he just didn't know when they would begin.

"I know that I can't ask you for permission," Adam begins to say, taking a deep breath, "But, uh, out of respect for you as her father, I, uh, I will ask Elizabeth and Nathan."

Taking a deep breath, Adam took a look over his shoulder, not seeing anyone. He didn't want to be seen, but he wanted to get everything that was on his mind out in the open.

"I'll leave you in peace now," Adam says, taking a deep breath, "You did well with your children."

Adam starts walking away, not knowing what else to say. It would've been a very different conversation if he was still alive. Adam knew that conversation would never happen, but it's one that he wish he could've had.

Elizabeth begins walking up, seeing Adam walking towards her, completely unaware that she was standing there.

"Good morning, Adam," Elizabeth says, Adam looking up. Shocked, he takes a deep breath, him completely stunned, "Something on your mind?"

"I decided to visit your husband and talk to him," Adam says, Elizabeth smiling at him, "I wanted to get something out into the open, in hopes that wherever he is now, he could hear me."

Elizabeth teared up, seeing how much Adam loves her daughter and in his eyes. Clara has never been loved the way Adam loves her, Elizabeth aware that Adam is the one for her daughter.

"I won't ask what you said, but I'm sure it was beautiful," Elizabeth says, Adam beginning to walk away, before she grabs his arm, him turning to face her once more, "Wait a minute."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, wanting to keep her tears from falling.

"Thank you," Elizabeth says, a smile running across her face, "You're the first person that's been with Clara that's ever done this. You're perfect for her."

Adam smiles, hearing the approval from Elizabeth, with whatever happens between him and Clara. Elizabeth takes Adam's hand, Adam slowly walking with her back so Elizabeth can visit her husband's grave.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Clara sat at the front desk chair in the tattoo shop, waiting for the new apprentice. She was getting a tattoo, so John and her can show the apprentice, Blake, how to treat a client properly, in case of any situation. John knew that he could trust Clara, as it's much easier to show an example with a tattoo artist instead of a random person.