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“She will,” Poppy said, propping herself up to look me in the eyes. “She’ll fight it. And so will everyone who loves you.”
“But what if that’s not enough?”
Poppy shrugged. “We petition the court for house arrest. I’m basically a cave troll, so no complaints from me if we have to hunker down here for a few months.”
“I’m serious, Poppy.”
“So am I,” she said, her green eyes blazing. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together. You’re stuck with me, Theo.”
I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed it. “I still feel bad I didn’t get you anything for our first Valentine’s Day.”
“You gave me this,” she said, clutching the poppy charm I’d made her. Despite everything, she hadn’t taken it off.
“That was to celebrate the beginning of us. I want to give you something to mark the end of us ever being apart.”
“I have an idea,” she said with a devilish smirk that told me I was in for something unexpected and amazing and 100% Poppy.
Chapter thirty-four
Poppy
“Are you sure aboutthis?” Theo asked.
I nodded but refused to look at him.
“I got the trashcan right here if you need it,” Max said and winked at me. He sat across from Theo, ready to hold me down if necessary. Though I’d prefer to stare at Theo for the next hour or so, I figured it was best I didn’t look.
“I’m a fainter, not a puker,” I said and took a deep breath.
Max shrugged. “Either one ain’t a problem. I’ve seen it all.”
“Please don’t puke,” Aiden said, gripping my left leg. “I have a sensitive stomach.”
“I can handle both her feet if she does,” Rowan said from my right leg.
“Or I can just sit on her like I offered,” Chris said, where he sulked in the corner with Mom, handing her tissues, while Wilson patted her shoulder.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” Mom sniffed.
“Bet you don’t hear that every day,” I said to Max.
Max shrugged again. “You’d be surprised. Most people aren’t trying to get over a fear of needles like you, but we often do tattoos to commemorate achievements or overcoming obstacles. I’ve heard plenty of parents say they’re proud.”
“You really don’t have to do this,” Theo said, his voice tense.
“Stop stalling,” I said, taking another deep breath.
He flipped on the machine and the room filled with a buzzing sound. I let out a little yip when he pressed the needle to my skin, and he pulled it away. “I’m not sure I can do this. Maybe Max should take over.”
“Theo Markis,” I snapped turning my head so I could see him. He had the tattoo needle poised right above my arm where he’d placed a stencil of the drawing he’d made of our statue. He’d simplified it to the two central figures to allow space for the intricate shading that characterized his work. “You are the only person on earth I trust to do this.”
The anxiety in his eyes faded, and he flashed me a smile.
“Aren’t they adorable?” Wilson said to no one in particular.
“You want to watch?” Theo asked me.
“Heck no. But you can’t stop every time I make a little noise.”