A beautiful storm *COMPLETE*

Friends

MADELINE POV

Damien and I have been so exhausted from work this week, I feel like all we have done is work and recover. Tonight is supposed to be the last night of the rush and I am so thankful. “Baby, come back to bed” Damien groaned sleepily. “One minute. I have to pee.” I said, rushing to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror at my reflection. How did I get so lucky? Growing up, I thought that I would be okay with just surviving. That was enough. Making it out of there was enough, but now that Damien is a part of my life. I don’t know if I want to be alone again. He fills the void that I had in my heart. He’s helped to heal from wounds that I didn’t even know existed. I quickly brushed my hair and teeth before returning back out to my room. Damien has been staying over at my place for the last few weeks. We’ve become nearly inseparable and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I climb back into the bed next to him, cuddling up to his warm body. Tracing my hands up and down his arms, I admire his tattoos. He’s got a black wolf with piercing blue eyes, a few black roses placed between some of his ocean themed ones, and a detailed forest stopping sharply at his wrist. “Did they hurt?” He looked at his arm and back to me. “Not really. Some spots more than others, but it’s more of a discomfort than anything.” he said while admiring the artwork on his arms. “I’d like to get something myself, but I don’t know what.” He looked lost in thought before looking at me with a smile “I have the perfect idea. Do you trust me?” I felt giddy “100 percent.” He wrapped his arms around me tightly “I will call my guy and get you scheduled if you want.” he whispered into my hair. I squeezed him back, nodding.

The feeling of excitement and nerves was swirling in my chest walking into the tattoo shop with Damien. I was excited for the tattoo, nervous that it would hurt, but also so curious to what Damien had thought up for me. He was very secretive, promising that he was sure I would love it. A muscular guy covered head to toe in tattoos called us back. “Long time no see buddy.” He shook Damiens hand roughly. “You must be Madeline. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Robert.” he smiled while shaking my hand much gentler. I nodded, returning his smile. “So, Damien here has told me that he had this idea, very specific might I add, for your tattoo. He mentioned that it is a surprise, so I will be showing him the design, but not you. Does that sound okay with you?” Robert asked, narrowing his eyes in question. “Absolutely.” I smiled at him. My leg was bouncing steadily as my nerves kicked in. He took Damien to another room with his Ipad. I heard Damien compliment the work, telling him that it was better than he had imagined. They discussed colors. I tried to tune out as much as I could, keeping it a surprise. They returned to the room and Robert began getting everything out for the tattoo. He had me lay back in a chair, with my arm facing up. I decided to get the tattoo on the inside of my arm, from the crease of my elbow to the inside of my wrist. Damien held my other hand and we all chatted while Robert jumped straight into the tattoo. Damien was right, this wasn’t necessarily painful, just slightly uncomfortable. After two hours, Robert announced that he was done. He wiped my arm clean and had me walk over to a full-length mirror. I gasped looking at the tattoo, my opposite hand going up to cover my mouth. It was absolutely beautiful. I now had a bright red, orange, and yellow phoenix spanning the length of my arm. It looked as if it was rising up to fly away and dripping flames as it ascended. I felt tears forming in my eyes. This was better than I imagined. Damien came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “What do you think?” he whispered in my ear. “It’s beautiful.” is all I could muster out. “You remind me of a phoenix. Rising from the ashes, reborn into the beautiful creature that you are today.” I’m in awe at his words. “I love you. So fu*king much, Damien.” He spins me around, planting a sweet kiss on my lips. I thank Robert for making this beautiful idea come to life and we leave heading to the bar for the evening. I can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to have found such an amazing person to walk beside me in life.

The bar was busier than we had anticipated. I don’t think any of us stopped moving the entire night. My feet were killing me. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at my arm. My tattoo was so beautiful. What Damien had said about its meaning was even more beautiful. I never looked at myself the way that he sees me. A phoenix. The phoenix symbolizes resurrection after death. You are reborn to rise from the ashes. The old me died on my eighteenth birthday and in its place, I was reborn stronger than I ever was before. I picked myself up off the ground, got the help I needed, faced reality, and am living better than I had ever thought was possible. I had a great support system with Gemma and now Damien. My life was amazing. “Earth to Maddie. You have a visitor.” Gemma groaned. I looked passed her to see Josh sitting at the bar looking sheepishly. I took a deep breath, walking over to him. “Can we talk. Please.” he said, almost begging. I thought it over for a second before nodding. Damien walked back behind the bar, noticing him and glaring daggers his way. I turned around to Damien “I will be okay. He just wants to talk.” He looked rigid, but nodded, planting a kiss on my cheek. “If you need me at all, I will be there in a heartbeat” he whispered in my ear. I followed Josh out front of the bar where it was quieter. He had his hands in his pocket, looking at the ground. “Mads, I’m really sorry for the way that I acted last time I saw you.” He said, looking into my eyes and continuing “I don’t really know what got into me. I guess I was just jealous that you would have chosen him over me. I’ve been crushing on you for a while and when you agreed to go on a date, I thought I finally had a chance with you. When you turned me down, it hurt, but I felt like our timing just wasn’t right. Then I saw you with Damien and it hurt. I know I’m just rambling now, but I just want you to know that I’m sorry for how I acted and what I said. I don’t want things to be awkward between us.” he rushed out, pleading with his eyes. I sighed, understanding where he was coming from. “I get it Josh. I didn’t mean to lead you on by going on that date. I just didn’t get the feeling that we would ever be more than friends. I appreciate your apology and forgive you.” I smiled at him. “Can we start over?” he questioned, outstretching his hand. I closed the distance, wrapping him in a hug, pulling away and shaking his hand. “Hi, I’m Madeline.” he laughed “My name is Josh. It’s nice to meet you, Madeline.” I looped my arm with his “Let’s go get you a drink, on me” He smiled “Thanks, I’d like that.” He returned to his seat at the bar, as I went behind it to make him a drink. Damien was busy with some customers, but I would fill him in later. I served Josh a Sandy Hurricane, pouring myself one too. He held his glass up “Friends?” he nodded. “Friends.” I smiled, clanking my cup with his. I feel lighter after clearing the air with Josh.