Larrikin Mary Recollections 4

At some stage we had moved to the bedroom, I was now wrapped in an almost clean sheet smelling of vanilla & Outlaw, & would have been content to have stayed like that forever really but the Universe had other plans.

His naked form filled the doorway & I almost reached for the phone again but the image was not one I was likely to forget, or wished to. Then he was beside me, honey brown skin & glittering eyes in the half light.

"Look at you" He pulled the sheet tighter around my waist so I was doing mummy impressions. "you're like some curvy goddess, you should make this your dress"

I laughed, "Ultra-curvy goddess you mean" I corrected

"Why have you never married if it's been so many years?" He was stroking my belly through the scrunched up sheet.

"Never seemed to feel that way about anyone I guess." I was surprised when my eyes welled up. He asked me just like that-how was I supposed to react? Well not with tears flowing that's for sure. "There's never been that connection, not for me anyhow...a couple of guys have asked me over the years, but I wasn't in to it." He probably thought I was nuts to have turned marriage down, I'm sure where he came from, they all pretty keen to make their vows.

My fingers lightly ran over his chest, just loving the way it each pec rose to hard perfection. "How about you? I'm sure there's a few girls back home who can't wait to be Mrs Edward Kelly" I knew this to be true, well- that many of the woman had had their eyes & hearts on Ned but he supposedly never married...

He was looking at me with disbelief, "You're joking aren't you? We're in the bush freezing our ....you know whats off...hungry as wild dogs, planning our next move. It's a hard life Cat, I couldn't bring anyone else into that, it wouldn't be right." He moved up closer "besides, since I met you, I haven't wanted anyone else"

Guilt shot through me as I thought of Pete & past guys, but I'd had no knowledge of him returning, only wishful thinking & lots of daydreams. And Eva & I certainly didn't know how differently time had passed for Ned, Joe & the boys.

"Which brings me to my next question-would you like your gift?" I nodded a little nervously, all this talk was getting to me a bit. He reached out for his jacket & pulled a small bag from the pocket. It was a velvet pouch, rich purple in colour with a 'C' embroidered on the front. It really was lovely. As he handed it to me, my hands were shaking a bit now I'll admit.

I loosened the drawstring & reached with fingertips inside. It was a ring-a very old fashioned gold ring. It was wider than the ones most girls wore these days, & it had swirly patterns engraved around it.

I put it on my middle finger & it was almost a good fit although slightly loose. "It's gorgeous, thank you." His weight was back on me, our stomachs mashed together & only his hardness & a thin sheet between them. He reached forward, his lips touching mine so sweetly.

"It was me Ma's ring, & her Ma's before her..she decided to give it to me as she's got married to a new fella now & he got her a new ring. She thought I might sell it & have use of the money...but I have a better use for it. Looks nice on you Cat, I want you to remember how much I love you..." A tear escaped & ran quickly down my cheek. "Shh lass, so remember what ever happens, ...& we know what's a comin'" he wiped the tear with his finger "I'll never leave yer, not really. I'll always be around somewhere, checking in on you, keeping you safe." He stroked my face & we kissed, my heart aching all the time at the thought of him having to go & the rest I couldn't bear to imagine anymore. "So remember me this way eh?"

I was nodding again, struggling to find my voice "I would like a photo of us Ned so I can always see your face" We lay side by side, skin on skin as I held the phone above us & clicked, capturing us both almost smiling with wet eyes. I saved it to the main screen, staring at it until the screen cut out.

*****

Of course I wished that day could have gone on forever, that I could have been born in another time zone....his time zone, even though I still would have lost him at least I would have been there for him. His arms pulled me in tighter & I heard his breathing become softer, he must be so tired but I wondered how he could sleep even now.

My phone buzzed, a text was coming in from Eva..

'Omg Cat u won't believe who's here! Fuckn hell, it's Joe!... & like I can't guess who you're with!'

I smiled "ah at last Joe's found her" Ned merely 'mmmed' his eyes still shut.

I got our photo along with the one of Joe & pushed the button.

SENDING>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The End

A/N~ Inspiration for the ring came to me after my grandmother passed away recently & I was given several of her rings. Her engagement & wedding ring, & a ring that had belonged to her mother. It is large & masculine in appearance & as she was born in the early 1900's, there is that possibility of it being her mother's ring as well, although I do not know for sure. Anyway, I thought it would be a nice touch to use it as Ned's mother's ring.

Thank you again to Nuit for allowing me to write of Cat's experiences...she did all the hard work, I just dreamed a lot!

Please also note: I have a huge amount of love & respect for Ned & Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne, Steve Hart & Heath Ledger who played the role of Ned in the 2003 film. It's tragic to have lost all these fine men at such a young age & I will always keep them close to my heart XX