Chapter Ten: Picture This

Revised: April 26, 2009

Edward's '48 panhead came to a stop about twenty minutes later in the Wicker Park district. After getting off the bike, he deftly helped me off and helped me with my helmet that he insisted I wore during the ride. I smiled as he straightened my hair before taken my hand in his warm one and began leading us down the sidewalk lined with maples and shops. He kissed the top of my head before taking a deep breath.

"So...here's the plan, Swan...today, we are going to do things that we have considered doing in the past, but never had the guts to do until now. For instance, I've always wanted to make up an entirely different life...just lie...to complete strangers, but still using my basics, like my name and such. So today, you are not just Bella Swan and I am not Edward Cullen."

He stopped our walk in front of the Aion Antiques and Tea Room entrance. "Today, Miss Swan, you are playing the role of Mrs. Edward Cullen. We are looking for a replacement wedding band after our three-year-old son...we'll call him E.J., short for Edward Jacob, decided to drop your ring down the sink of our little townhouse in Oakwood Shores. We've been married for four years now. High school sweethearts from Aurora, Illinois. Got it?"

My mouth hung agape as I nodded slightly, "S-sure."

He laughed and pulled me close as he led us into the shop, "I always wanted to play house. Seemed fun." He kissed my temple gently as a stout lady, perhaps in her late fifties, trotted up to us with a immense smile on her face.

"Hello dears! Welcome to Aion Antiques. I am Bernadette, the shop keeper. Are we looking for anything in particular or a nice hot cup of Earl Grey tea?" Her thick Scottish voice and motherly comportment made me smile, instantly feeling welcome.

"Actually, Bernadette, my wife and I are trying to find a replacement wedding ring. Our three-year-old son, E.J., managed to get a hold of hers when she was preparing his bath. Flushed the family heirloom down into the Chicago sewers."

Bernadette's eyes grew large like silver dollars and her pouty lips shaped into an "O" as she took in a shocked breath. "Oh dear me! You poor thing!" She took my hand in between her weathered ones, patting it gently. "You must be distraught!"

I faked my best flustered facial expression, "I am...I adored that ring and losing right before our four year anniversary too..." I bit my bottom lip to make it appear I'd tear up at any moment. I could have sworn I heard Edward choke back a chuckle as he rubbed my side.

"There, there, baby. We will find a ring just like that one. Bernadette, my wife happened to have this beautiful silver love knot wedding ring. Two love knots embracing a diamond; almost like the Claddagh. It was a cherished heirloom from my Irish ancestors. Do you happen to have something similar? Money is no demur, of course."

Bernadette's eyes brightened and her brows hitched upward, "Yes, dear! We actually have one that matches you description perfectly. Follow me, dears!" She briskly turned on her heel and scurried down the aisle way cluttered with antique furniture, books, and records. Edward's hand moved from the small of my back as he led me along.

"Edward, be reasonable, please. Money is an object..."

His lips brushing my ear stopped me from continuing, "Bella, darling, amuse me."

Bernadette led us back to a glass enclosed case, quickly unlocking it and reaching in to pull out the most gorgeous ring I had ever laid eyes on. It was timeless and even though the silver band was faded from excessive wearing, it was exactly what I imagined a wedding ring; my wedding ring (for all intensive purposes) resembling. She held it out for me to try on.

"I found it at an estate sale in Boston just this past weekend. Come on, dearie, let's see how it looks,"

I hesitantly lifted my left hand for her to slide the ring on my ring finger. It was a precise fit as if fate itself chose this ring for me. I held it up for Edward to admire with me; the small solitaire diamond, anchored down by a love knot on each side, glittered in the different hues of lights that were radiating from old Tiffany lamps and crystal chandeliers that were impartially placed throughout the shop.

I looked up at him to see that his expression matched my own; full of happiness. His crooked smile and twinkling eyes were ones similar of those of a man seeing his first baby shortly after birth. He was clearly enjoying this moment. He took my hand in his; lacing our fingers together as he looked closer at the ring.

"It's perfect. Almost an exact match. We'll take it..." He readily handed her his platinum visa credit card without blinking. I looked at him in shock.

I thumped him lightly in his stomach when she turned to go back to the card machine to process the transaction, "Edward! This ring....it has to cost a fortune! The diamond has to be at least a caret!"

He took my left hand in his and kissed the ring. "Just consider it a promise for something more, okay? I want you to have this one thing, Bella. Believe it or not, you are more than deserving of it."

I remained speechless as I watched him admire the ring once more, caressing my palm with his thumb. The intimate moment came to a close when he had to drop my hand to sign the bill. Bernadette smiled at us warmly as we made our way out of the store, calling out to us once more, "Goodbye lovelies! Make sure that wee one doesn't repeat his actions!"

We both stifled a giggle as we both closed the door behind us. He pulled me close to his side as we continued our walk down the sidewalk. I lifted up my hand to look at the ring once more. "Edward, this is beautiful...I'll cherish it always..."

He grinned and leaned down, pausing our steps in the process, and kissed me chastely on my cold lips. "You deserve only the best, love."

I kissed him back slowly, twining my fingers into the locks brushing the nape of his neck. We eventually parted and with a uneven smile, he simply stated, "Your turn, love."

Chapter Eleven: Just Like A Tattoo, I'll Always Have You

When Edward said it was my turn to be unrestricted and fanatical, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do. I smiled at him curiously, "Are there any tattoo shops nearby?"

His expression was of shock, but with hints of excitement and anticipation as he slowly nodded, "Yeah...there's Tatu Tattoos and Body Piercings on West North...wanna go?" His voice became husky as he twitched the corners of his lips upward, causing my stomach to light flips.

I nodded, biting the corner of my bottom lip, "Yeah...I always wanted to get something done."

He grinned and nodded some before running his free hand through his hair; the other hand remained clasping mine as we began walking again. "I've been thinking about getting something done too...this is a great idea."

We walked another couple of blocks, leaving West Division and eventually finding West North Avenue. The tattoo shop graced a corner lot and was rather simplistic besides the neon lights glowing red and green in the shop windows. I let out a shaky breath as I led Edward inside and up to the front desk. Small in frame with deeply tan skin, a young man sat at the desk, endlessly sketching with one hand, as the other swept back a strand long black hair behind his ear. He looked up when I cleared my throat nervously. Smiling at us both, his lip ring glistening in the florescent lighting, he put the pencil down and focused his attention on us. "Can I help you?"

Edward grinned politely at him as he rested his hands on my shoulders. "Yes, my wife and I would be interested in getting some tattoos done." I smiled some as I relished the words 'my wife'. It was a lie, yes, but it was the best, sweetest lie I've ever experienced...

Or thoroughly enjoyed, for that matter.

The young man nodded in acknowledgement, "Okay, what were you thinking about doing?"

Without really thinking, I blurted out, "The Claddagh...right, darling? That is what you mentioned this morning, correct?" I turned my gaze up to Edward, waiting for a decision.

Edward grinned at me before returning his eyes to the young man, "Yes, that's what we'd like. Nothing too big and perhaps using black and white ink only. I would like to get mine on my right shoulder blade. M wife wants hers..." He looked back down at me, waiting for me to finish.

"My right hip bone..." The young man smiled and nodded.

"Alright, I can definitely do something small for around fifty each. Normally, we do appointments only, but it being slow, I can take you both now. Are you ready?"

We both nodded. He quickly grabbed some contracts for us to sign. We filled out all the vitals and handed them back, ready to go.

The young man looked them over briefly and grinned, "Cool, my name's Gabe. Follow me and we'll start. Who goes first?"

I nervously raised my hand, "It was my idea, so I'll go first."

After prepping the work area, which consisted of sanitizing, preparing the tattoo gun, and selecting the best Tenacious D CD to play, Gabe patted the chaise, silently beckoning me to sit, and with a chuckle told me to "lose the jeans".

Thank god the panties I chose to wear that day were fairly appropriate and that Gabe seemed like a gentleman. I handed Edward my folded up jeans and took my spot on the chaise. I pulled the right side of my panties down to expose my hip bone a little better. Gabe put the trace paper on my hip and began step one. Edward and chatted nonchalantly about each other's classes as we waited for the tracing to be done. Finally, Gabe let out a sign in conclusion, "Well, we are set."

With this being said, Edward sat on the stool next to me and took my hand in his to comfort me whenever needed. I looked up into his eyes, hypnotized by the sea green, as the first needle stung my skin. I moaned out slightly, gripping Edward's hand tighter. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "You are doing beautifully, love."

I smiled at him, mouthing a 'thank you' before focusing my attention on Gabe's progress. As time went by, I became comfortable with the pain, except when Gabe did any shading. That hurt like a bitch.

It was all worth it though whenever Edward would soothe me with a gently kiss on the hand that he was holding. As the tattoo took shape, I became more excited. I couldn't wait to see it all finished.

Gabe finished mine about forty-five minutes later and after getting an excellent appraisal from both myself and Edward, he bandaged me up and began on 'my husband's'. Shamefully, I caught myself blushing as Edward pulled his black fit forming t-shirt off and handed it to me.

He took the whole experience with the needles in stride; like a total pro. I watched in awe as Gabe went through the exact steps of my own tattoo; fascinated. I couldn't believe Edward wanted to experience this with me and the fact that he picked the exact design surprised me too.

It also made me incredibly hot.

Gabe finished in record time. This time, I went against Edward's wishes and paid. This was my treat; a gift for him to enjoy. I felt an incredible high as we left the shop and walked back to Edward's bike. It was now dusk and the breeze that surrounded us was significantly cooler than it was this afternoon. I cuddled closer into Edward's side as we walked.

For a moment, it was like we were a normal couple; like we were jointly known as the Cullens, by government and God himself. We could be seen by the people walking past us as that ideal married couple; simply getting away from their townhouse in Oakwood for a rare date. We could be on our way back to that townhouse where we would tuck little E.J. Cullen in bed before continuing our date with wine, soft music, and intense lovemaking...perfection.

However, this wasn't the case. We were still illicit lovers with a lot of bridges to burn and walls to break down before reaching anything compared to that illusion. As I thought about this, I could have sworn my heart broke just a little. Did Edward want this as much as I do?

We reached the bike as the wind grew colder. Before I could get on the bike, Edward spun me around, tilting his face down toward mine allowing them to brush against them as he spoke softly, "I want to see it first."

I watched silently as he unbuttoned and zipped my jeans. He looked to see if anyone was coming in either direction before getting on his knees to pull the right side down along with my panties to reveal the bandage, careful not to expose me too much. Cautiously, he pulled the bandage off and sucked in his breath as he stared lovingly at our mutual symbol.

"Exquisite...and all mine," he murmured as he pressed his cool lips gently to the heated patch of skin, lingering there longer than I expected.

"Mmm...Edward...we should go back to your place...continue this there...after I call Alice to let her know I'm not coming home again tonight, of course...if that's okay with you?" I moaned quietly as I brushed back his hair.

I heard him snicker, "Hmm, I think that would be wonderful idea. Let's go." He kissed the spot once more before putting the bandage back on and zipping up my jeans with his nimble fingers. He helped me with my helmet before we both got on the bike. Firing up the engine, Edward pressed the gas and we flew forward into the dark abyss of the night.