Chapter 11

It had taken a lot of secretive planning and organisation but Priestly had managed to ensure that his present for Tish was sent across from New York in time for their special day. Working to put the picnic together had been slightly easier, especially with the help of Jen, Piper and Trucker. He'd wanted to do something special, and he certainly didn't want to be the reason why Tish had to spend her first anniversary cooped up in their apartment. He couldn't get the idea out of his head, and after talking to Trucker he began to put his plans in motion. It had been a difficult month and Priestly knew that he wouldn't have survived it without Tish; she was his everything and he wanted to do something really special for her, for them both, since he couldn't be more grateful to be alive, at Tish's side.

He'd been nervous after he'd made the phone call, waiting for Tish to arrive, worried as to what her reaction would be. But sitting there, on their special part of the beach, side by side with his wife, he knew he'd made the right decision and he couldn't be happier.

They sat watching the sun dipping low in the sky as they ate their Italian food, sharing comfortable conversation, sipping champagne, enjoying each other's company. Priestly had also bought ice-cream which Tish took great delight in feeding to him, only to land a dollop on his nose, causing him to huff out an indignant laugh. He'd retaliated by leaving a trail of cream down her cheek which made her squeal as she tried to reach the carton for some more ammunition. Once the ice cream was finished and the mock-fight had calmed, Priestly reached out and grasped Tish's hand, lacing his fingers between hers as they sat together, Tish pressed up against his side. He watched her profile as she gazed contentedly out across the ocean, hair whipping gently around her in the breeze. A strand caught in her face and Priestly reached up and tenderly tucked it behind her ear as Tish shifted on the blanket, turning to face him.

"Tish, I…" Priestly began.

He'd practised what he'd wanted to say but being there in the moment, staring at his beautiful wife, he forgot every word. Shaking his head at himself, Priestly instead reached behind himself to bring forward his wrapped gift for her. Hesitating for a moment, he met Tish's wide eyes before placing the package in her hands. Carefully putting the gift down on the blanket, Tish leant over to retrieve her bag, pulling her gift for Priestly from its depths, handing him the small box with a shy smile.

"You first," they both said together, causing each other to laugh self-consciously.

"Together?" Priestly suggested with a smile.

Tish nodded.

"Together."

They sat in silence as they each unwrapped their present. Tish finished unwrapping hers first, mouth dropping as she saw the antique cover of the book Priestly had bought for her. The 'Just So' stories. They had been her favourite childhood tales when she was younger, her aunt reading them to her every night before bed, and they would always hold a special place in her heart. The fact that Priestly had remembered this detail and bought her such a meaningful present made her speechless.

Priestly watched her reaction with a smile, seeing the joy on her face. Setting aside his half-opened present he shuffled over so he was right beside her, and reached across to open to front cover. A soft gasp escaped Tish's lips as she saw the inside print; it was a first edition. It would've been expensive, she knew that, but to her it was priceless. The words Priestly had inscribed on the inside cover touched her heart and her soul. 'All my love, now and forever, P. x' She ran her hand reverently over the words, as if she could feel the love seeping from the page. She was stunned.

She turned her shining eyes to meet Priestly's.

"Thank you," she breathed, placing a hand behind his neck, thumb tracing the edge of his tattoo, and leaning in for a soft, chaste kiss. She rested her forehead against his, enjoying the closeness. "Thank you Priestly, I love it."

Priestly's heart swelled at the words; he'd wanted something which would be special and mean something to her and it seemed he'd succeeded.

Gazing for a few moments longer at the words, Tish began to turn the pages carefully, eyes wide in wonder as she took in the original illustrations for the beloved stories. Priestly watched as she eventually closed the book, caressing the cover with her fingers, seeming to have to practically tear her gaze away, before she gestured to Priestly's box on the blanket.

"Your turn," she coaxed.

"It's not an eggtimer, is it? I thought I could hear it ticking!" Priestly joked. "Or…" he paused, a look of exaggerated fear coming over his face, teasing, "Don't tell me it's a bomb!"

Tish shoved him in the shoulder in exasperation, which caused him to laugh, mirth brightening his face, eyes twinkling.

"No Priestly, it is not an eggtimer! And most definitely not a bomb! What kind of crazy person even thinks that?!" Tish exclaimed, wondering whether to be offended or not. She knew he was only joking though and the fact that he could never fail to make her laugh warmed her heart. "Just open it you big moron!"

Priestly grinned cheekily as he picked up her gift to him, making quick work of the remaining packaging. Snapping open the box, Priestly couldn't believe his eyes. Inside the velvet box was a new watch nestled on a navy blue cushion. He knew that his old one had been smashed up beyond repair in the accident and he had mourned the loss but this was something else entirely. He carefully slipped it from its resting place, inspecting it with a smile. Tish had picked out the perfect style; it was black leather, smart, but also trendy and quirky enough that it wouldn't look out of place whether he wanted to dress up or dress down. A glint on the back of the watch caught his attention, the candle light reflecting off something on the shining metal. It was an engraving. Tish bit her lip as she watched Priestly turn over the watch to read her simple, yet heartfelt words – 'Forever yours, T. x'

Priestly's vision blurred as he read Tish's engraving, clearing his throat in an attempt to regain control of his emotions.

"Thanks Tish, it's perfect."

Depositing her book safely in her lap, Tish took the watch from Priestly's grip and fastened it around his wrist. Before she could withdraw however Priestly pulled her in for another sweet kiss. Tish lifted her hand to caress his face, feeling the soft skin and rough facial hair under her touch before threading her fingers through his 'hawk which caused Priestly to smile against her. Pulling away gently and hooking an arm around her shoulders, Priestly shifted on the blanket so Tish was leaning on him, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder. They sat in companionable silence, pressed close to each other, hands unconsciously seeking out their names on each other's skin, palms warming and comforting through the fabric of their clothes, hearts beating as one. No words were needed between them as they basked in the love they had for each other, watching together as the sun set below the far horizon, painting the sky a beautiful mix of reds and pinks. Tish snuggled closer into Priestly's embrace, feeling his grip tighten around her protectively, lovingly, knowing that there was nowhere else in the world that she would rather be than right there in her husband's arms; she was Priestly's and he was hers and Tish knew that was how they'd always be, husband and wife, in love, now and forever, always.

The End.

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