Hi all! So, this fanfic is just super fun and easy to write. I am having a blast! I hope you all are enjoying the story too! AS for posting... I'm thinking I'm going to stick posting 3 chapters at a time. It takes a little longer to write like that, but then ya'll get a bigger chunk to read. Let me know what you think! Or if you have some ideas for the upcoming chapters. I love being inspired by others :).

John

Seeing Evangeline in that white gown had filled me with happiness. I had never seen a woman that took my breath away, but at that moment I thought I was going to suffocate in her presence. I read through a different set of scripture for my wife's baptism. Joseph didn't object. It felt like it was appropriate for her. After all...she was not worthy of this world...she never would be in my eyes.

It was after the baptism that I realized something. I wanted to see Evangeline in another type of white gown. One that was meant for just the two of us. We were already wed spiritually...but I wanted to be able to officially call Evangeline my wife without the lack of an official ceremony. Fortunately...by Joseph's standard...I was an ordained minister. I could marry us. And that was exactly what I intended to do. I wanted something that I could give her...something that I could show her we were each others. And then I remembered. Evangeline had wanted a tattoo. She had wanted me to tattoo her.

I would give her a tattoo...one that we would both share...one that would be a permanent extension of our earthly bodies. And when we turned to dust...when the world didn't need us anymore, it would still remain etched on our souls.

She was in the church today, having converted it into a small daycare while the one near the Lodge was cleaned up. No one had the heart to tell her it was gone, so while we were here… we had several Eden's Gate members go and secure another location...another that was much closer. The children were with her...and she was teaching them to read. She would not read Joseph's word...she said that it would scare them, but she did tell them stories about God...about the Holy Word...about Jesus. And the way she spoke of him, the way she spoke of heaven...it made a man want to die right then and there just to see it.

"Mother," one asked, his hand raised. "Will we meet Jesus at New Eden?"

"No dear one," she said. "You will meet Jesus when the world is ready for Him. Right now, it is not ready...and He knows that."

"But why?"

I took a seat in one of the pews, a small smile gracing my lips as she sat the book down and took a deep breath.

"Well...our God wants as many of his children to come home as possible. And for that to happen, a lot more need to accept him...to love Him as much as He loves all of us. And that's why Father Joseph is here...because God loves you all so much, that he wants to make sure you are protected and safe when He is ready."

They watched her, hanging onto every word, every syllable, every gentle smile. I even found myself entranced in how she spoke to the little one's. She used love to teach them, to explain to them why Joseph was who we followed...and she did it without any fear, threat, or drug. I sometimes wish we had found her sooner...because if she had been there from the beginning… I felt like a lot more would have rallied to our cause. But everything happens for a reason...and I wasn't ready for her all those years ago. Not like I was now.

"We have a visitor, little ones," she said suddenly. "What do we say?"

All at once, they responded with, "Hi brother John". I stood somewhat awkwardly and waved to them, uncertain of how to respond. Evangeline stood, letting the children talk amongst themselves while she came over to speak with me.

"You are home early," she said. "Did something happen?"

"No, no," I assured. "I just...wanted to see if you'd like to go out with me tonight."

"We aren't going swimming again, are we?" she teased.

I chuckled and shook my head, "Nah...I think I'm kind of over the water right now. I was thinking we take a hike and have a picnic."

"That sounds lovely. The parents should be coming to pick up the children. If you let me change we can go right away."

I pulled her into a hug and gently pressed my lips against her own before leaving her to finish up with the work she had left.

We went to Angel's Peak...a good distance from where Faith had set up shop...and I spread out a red checkered blanket. The sun was high above us, the summer flowers gently blew by giving the area the warm scent of honeysuckle and mountain air. It couldn't be any more perfect if I tried. I removed a bottle of white wine from my bag, along with two glasses and a small bag of white grapes. I couldn't tell Eva where I had come by this stuff...because I didn't want to hurt her by letting her know it was taken during the reaping.

"Can you believe it was only a month or two ago that you literally came crashing into my life?"

She smiled politely at me and popped a grape into her mouth with a nod.

"No...honestly...it feels like I've been with you for years."

I was so worried I would lose her...that one day I would wake up and find out this had been some bliss induced hallucination. But I hadn't. The high wasn't gone yet. And if this wasn't real, I'd be happy if it never left. She told me about her day...about how the children were doing so well...how she felt she was starting to make friends within the community… and I took in every word. Her happiness was so contagious...it made me feel weightless compared to how heavy I had felt before.

"Tell me about your day." She said, reaching into my pack to yank out some cheese and bread I had snagged.

"I...don't think that's such a good idea baby."

I worried she would press for me, but instead, she did us both a favor and let the topic go. We eventually fell into a comfortable silence. I rested my head in her lap and she gently ran her fingers through my hair...humming a song I didn't recognize to herself. I could fall asleep like this.

Gently I took her one hand and kissed it, before turning towards her.

"I actually had another reason I wanted to bring you here…"

"Oh?" She asked.

My stomach suddenly quivered in anticipation. I didn't know why I was so nervous. I knew what her answer would be...but I still wanted to hear it come from those pink, pouty, lips of hers. I pulled from my backpack a newer version of my tattooing kit. This was what I used when tattooing my regular tattoos...the sinners got to experience something else entirely.

I got down on one knee and opening the case, I brought the black pen from its home and I held it in my free hand and took her other.

"John…" she whispered.

"I...know this doesn't make sense," I started, my eyes holding hers. "But...I wanted to do this the right way...or...at least part of the right way. I can't...really give you a big fancy wedding...not the one you deserve. So...I...I hope this is okay."

Her eyes began to well with tears and I watched as she bit down on one of her quivering lips.

"Will...will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

I waited for her answer and gasped in surprise as she flung herself into my arms. I fell back into the grass with her and smiled as her head rested on my chest.

"Yes...of course, yes…" she cried. "You are such a…dork!"

I chuckled and gently brought her chin up so I could see her face.

"I don't have a ring to give...but...if you'll let me, I'll give you something you can keep with you always."

I gestured to the needle. Evangeline tugged herself further up my body. Her lips grazed my jawline and lightly I bit her shoulder. She hissed softly and lightly gripped my hair.

"Give me something pretty."

I sat up with her in my lap and nodded. It took me time to think of what would be appropriate for not just the mother of New Eden but for what this little lady meant to me.

"...I think I have just the thing…"

She took the pain like a champ. Only really complaining as the needle thrummed against the veins on top of her hand. I continued to clean and rub away the blood that lingered behind. The skin on top of her hand was so thin...but Eva insisted it be where all could see it. Finally...it was done...and what was left was the faded black of a dove in flight. Its wings were spread...sending its hope, love, and light to all those that were fortunate enough to see it. That was my Eva. The personification of what I hoped real angels to be like.

"...do you like it, baby?" I asked, slightly hesitant.

"It's beautiful…" she said, taking the tattoo pen from my hand.

"My turn then?" She asked, a slight smile on her lips.

"Uhh...what?" I said, quickly putting the rest of my supplies away. "No. Absolutely not."

"C'mon, it's only fair...and...I have to give you something so others know you are mine."

"Do you even know how to tattoo?"

"It can't be any more difficult than needlepoint...and I can draw…"

Her eyes were big and I knew that she would not let it go until I said yes. What was the worst that could happen? And anyway, if she fucked it up too bad...I could just fix it myself. Taking a deep breath I relinquished my backpack with supplies to her and held out my arm.

"Have a little faith, John." She chided with a smile.

Tattooing had always been such a soothing process for me...so it was no surprise that while Evangeline worked on my forearm, I passed out and slept through it. The vibrations from the needle felt good and I enjoyed the burn of the ink being pressed deep into my skin. Finally, it stopped and when I opened my eyes the sun was gone and all that illuminated our spot was a bright flashlight that Evangeline had sitting next to her.

"Eva...God, what time is it?" I yawned.

"Um...nine o-clock...but...I'm done with your tattoo."

I hesitated to look at it...and prepared myself for something truly atrocious. I needed to make sure I didn't get angry or upset. This was a symbol of her love for me...if I shunned it and her, I'd never recover.

My eyes trailed to the most tender section of skin and Eva shined the white light onto the spot so I could see better. It wasn't what I had expected. It was actually good . There was a dove that looked similar to the one I had drawn for her, but it was centered in a circle of small flowers and vines. The shading was subtle...and only here and there could I see a line or two that was a little more frayed than another.

"Evangeline…you…"

I could see the worried expression cross her face and with a gentle laugh, I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply.

"So...you like it?"

"I love it."

If I could stop time, we would never leave this spot. I would keep Evangeline right where she was and just enjoy her presence. But we had to go back...because the clock was ticking to the collapse and the rebels were getting more and more daring as each day came and went.

(I HOPE YA'LL ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER! PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YA THINK :D)