Page 28 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

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It was the Thursday before Zach was due back in the states. Every detail about his party had been carefully planned and his entire family would be waiting for him at the airport. They wanted to welcome him home with a hero's reception.The shop, however, was a mess with open boxes and half full shelves. Jason had finished the private room and it now looked more like the waiting area of a spa than a place to put on a tattoo.

The guy who was putting the lettering on the front glass had just arrived and was setting up. Jason had painted the ceiling black, which caused the bucket lights to be more pronounced. He even found a company who specialized in neon signs and they had just finished a sign for another company. Although the color had come out all wrong for what they were going for, it worked well with the theme Jason was going for, so he bought it.

Framed samples lined both walls of the entry. Zach had emailed all of his designs and I had to admit he was quite talented. I personally had never wanted a tattoo, but Zach had insisted Jason was going to give him one once he got home. Savannah already had him do something on her lower hip, it was hidden beneath her clothes and I didn't want to know what he had created. Zach offered to do one for me, a thank you for all of my help, but I declined, as a tattoo wasn't on my radar. I also never questioned if Zach already had a tattoo or if he had something pierced.

Appointments began pouring in the minute word hit the streets a SEAL co-owned the place. Military men seemed to line up to have one of their own do something for them. Although, a fair share of women were also booked for a chance, I was certain, to see the artist.

Second Skin was beginning to take shape along the top half of the entry door. The old English script would match the logo, which had been placed on the front of the reception desk yesterday. It took what seemed like forever to get it centered perfectly, the poor guy had to start over four times as Jason wasn't happy.

I was on my hands and knees, sorting and organizing the piercing jewelry to be sold. They had everything from skulls to initials. I had also arranged the supplies for the aftercare behind the counter. I took in the scene around me; Jason was filling the toolboxes that would house the supplies he and Zach would work from. Savannah was setting up the credit card reader in a system she herself used in her own shop. She had also contacted every newspaper and radio station in the city, announcing the grand opening. A friend of hers was a host for one of the popular morning shows here in Atlanta, and he would be doing a live broadcast while Jason did his tattoo.

Music played overhead, something from the fifties, with a catchy beat, making you want to dance. This was how living simple was supposed to be. Putting yourself into what you loved and believed in, and feeling good about it at the end of the day.

I looked around at the patterns and colors Jason had placed together. I had no doubt patrons would walk through the door and be amazed at how it all turned out. Even though I had no desire for a tattoo of my own, I appreciated the art.

My knees were protesting from the abuse I had inflicted on them by kneeling for so long, but the display was perfect. The lighting caused the brilliance in the diamonds and metal to stand out. I could literally look at it all day.

The guy applying the lettering to the door, glanced at me so I smiled a friendly smile in return, but paused when I noticed the figure directly behind him. A man, tall and well-built, complete with brown camouflage and a hat atop his head. His pants were tucked inside his brown boots and a bag slung over his right shoulder, its top edge sticking out over his head. If I hadn't seen his face nearly every day for the past few months, I probably wouldn't have reacted the way I did.

His eyes landed on mine as I pushed the door open with more force than I intended, causing the poor sign guy to curse under his breath. I can't explain why I ran to him the way I did or why I had tears in my eyes. But as I stood in the center of the sidewalk, with the late afternoon sun beaming down on me and the breeze from the passing cars pushing my hair into my face, I couldn't help the way my hand covered my mouth as I took him all in. Zach was here, a day early, and looking so much better than he did on my computer screen. His smile widened, as he dropped his bag to the sidewalk, and took his hat in his hands.

"Kennedy?" His voice was so much richer, his smile somehow bigger. I could only nod my head as the sting of tears began.

"Oh, God, I was so wrong." His voice sounded pained as he closed the distance between us.

“About what?” I asked, confused. His eyes were so bright, his body solid as his arms encircled me, picking me up from the sidewalk. His warm lips crashed to mine as strong fingers buried themselves in the hair at the back of my head. The kiss lasted until breathing became necessary, each of us pulling back, sucking in the same breath. Eager and happy eyes locked as the sounds of the city filled the air around us.

Zach and Jason walked around the shop talking about items in the drawers, using terms, if I had been a fan of tattooing or interested in having one myself, I would most likely understand. My heart was in my throat as Zach took me by the hand, allowing me to lead him to the room Jason took such pride in pulling together. The pounding of my heart kept time with the sounds of his boots, as we got closer to it. At first, I thought he was trying to find the words to tell me he hated it, but when he turned from the plush sofa, he had the widest, brightest smile on his handsome face, flooring me even further than the kiss on the sidewalk; if that was even possible.

"Babe, it's more beautiful than I imagined." He punctuated his words with a kiss to my temple.

***

Zach commented several times on the changes in the city he noticed as I drove everyone to the Michaels's estate. It’s sad how you could become immune to your surroundings. New buildings and businesses became the norm and were no longer appreciated once the shiny exteriors faded away.

Watching a trembling Emma run down the steps and practically leap into her son's arms made me smile a teary smile, and also burn with jealousy. My mother would have scoffed at such a display of emotion. I waited, with my car door open and my leg still inside, as they hugged for what seemed like an eternity. Zach and his mother exchanged several words before she insisted we all come inside. I stopped Zach and tried to get him to understand he needed time with his parents. Emma encouraged Jason and I to at least come in and have some iced tea. Knowing if I refused and word ever got back to my mother I would never hear the end of it, I accepted her invitation and joined them on her deck.

As I sat and listened to Zach and his father talk about the shop and what he had planned for the grand opening, I wondered what my mother would say if I were to snap a picture of where I was and send it to her. No doubt she would make an excuse to come and join me.

After finishing my tea and reassuring Zach I would return the following day to attend his party, I spent the remainder of the night over analyzing everything that happened. When I couldn't stand laying wide awake any longer, I slipped down to the shop and resumed my task of arranging jewelry and doing the final clean ups. With the silence in the room, it allowed my mind to roam free and explore every angle of the situation with Zach. I came to the conclusion that I had nothing to lose by exploring a relationship with him.

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