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As the ambient light of the fireplace illuminated the cream-colored carpet, Chris opened the mahogany jewelry box on the mantel. It'd been hidden for weeks behind some decorations that had been in the same spot for years, making it the perfect hiding place for the gift he'd bought Piers months ago.
Well, it wasn't a gift per-say, more of a question. There'd been numerous moments where Chris had chickened out, but he wasn't going to allow that to happen anymore. Piers was worth the possibility of being turned down, or the nervous excitement that made him feel like his head was spinning just thinking about how and when he'd pop the question.
After what'd happened in China, Chris knew he couldn't live without the kid. Although Chris was pushing his fifties, he knew what love felt like. The feeling he got whenever he was with, or just looking, at Piers was unlike anything he'd ever felt with another person. A longing to never leave their side. Happiness without any words, a dream becoming reality.
Chris couldn't remember ever being as cheesy as he felt now, but that's what Piers did to him. His brain automatically became love-sick mush around him, especially when Piers smiled.
Chris pocketed the black box that contained Piers' precious engagement band, a ring he'd spent almost a three months deciding on with a professional jeweler from France. An Eighteen-carat platinum band with sixteen small diamonds wrapped around the ring. Rose gold roping around the edges of the band, symbolizing the security they both shared with one another. An unbreakable life-line that would remain steadfast for the rest of their lives together.
As Chris stepped into the kitchen, Piers was already starting their dinner. He didn't know which smelt better, the scent of the food or Piers' cologne. A strong, heady aroma, that greeted him around every corner of the house even when he wasn't there.
"What's for dinner?" Chris leaned against the kitchen island that was covered in ingredients, a skillet, and other cooking utensils.
Piers was kneading a wad of dough in some flour on one of the multiple cutting boards, smiling when he looked up from the board. It instantly melted Chris's heart, but he kept his composure, not wanting to let on to Piers that something was up at the moment. His poker face wasn't the best around Piers, it was as if he could read his mind every so often, but he was doing the best he could.
"Your favorite." Piers's smile turned into a grin as he handed Chris one of the other cutting boards. There were two raw, thick cuts of steaks on top of it, already marinated and ready to be tenderized further. "Mind beating these for me, Mr. Muscles?"
"Not a problem, babe."
Chris stole a quick kiss before moving the board onto the side of the counter. The way Piers' ears flushed whenever he kissed him never ceased to be the cutest thing Chris had ever seen. It reminded him of a high school crush; however, they'd been dating, and living together, for three years. He found it adorable that Piers could still become bashful about the smallest acts of affection.
"You're so cute," Chris commented, air kissing with a wink in his direction, which earned him a light flick of flour in his direction before Piers returned the gesture. He blew the kiss towards Chris with the palm of his hand, giggling.
"You're in a playful mood," Piers said, rolling the dough into a ball.
"Of course I am, I'm with my puppy."
Beating the steaks between some plastic wrap wasn't exactly quiet, but he could still hear the soft laugh from behind him. It was followed by a comment about how silly their pet names that they'd given each other were, but Chris knew he loved it.
Chris was definitely in a good mood, knowing that the ring in his pocket would soon be around Piers's finger; he had little doubt about it. Although, his nerves had set on fire, quaking like a leaf through his fingers the more he realized that go time was fast approaching. The only thing he had left to decide was how he was going to propose.
The opportune moment had to be perfect, not too sudden, but not too late that he would feel like he'd missed his chance. The anticipation was stressful, but being in Piers's company helped to ease his racing thoughts. It was Piers he was proposing to, the man he loved the most in the entire world, there was nothing to be afraid of.
Once tenderized, Chris seasoned the steaks so that Piers could focus on the dough he was placing into a glass bowl, securing saran wrap over the top to let it rise. He wondered when they'd learned to cook together. It'd happened so naturally that he couldn't remember a time when they didn't.
"What are you making over there?" Chris questioned, sprinkling the basics, salt and pepper, first before moving on to the smoked paprika and garlic powder.
"Apple pie for dessert," Piers all but hummed.
"You're really spoiling me tonight, aren't you? What's the occasion?"
A sudden thought crossed his mind that Piers might be the one proposing to him; however, a steak dinner wasn't uncommon. No, he figured it must be because it was on his mind, so it was all he could think about at the moment.
"Nothing in particular, I just thought I should feed my big bear something nice tonight."
Chris smiled. "You're sweet, I'd starve without you around."
If Piers hadn't already planned to make dinner, Chris certainly would have made the suggestion. There were more opportunities to surprise him while they were working in the kitchen together, or in the dining room once their food was ready and on the table.
"You'd definitely starve, or you'd spend a lot of money at steakhouses."
Chris laughed, knowing it was the truth. "They'd never go out of business with me around. I'd rather have you here with me, though. Nothing could ever replace your cooking."
"Suck up," Piers teased, sticking his tongue out in his direction.
"I can't help it!" Taking up the cutting board with the steaks, he headed for the back door in the kitchen. "I'll go ahead and get these bad boys on the grill. Need to turn them on before the seasoning dries them out. Wanna come out with me?"
"You're great at turning things on." Piers winked. "I'll be out there in a few minutes, almost done with the sides."
"I'll miss you." Chris pouted, grabbing his bottom and kissing Piers as he passed him.
"Don't get abducted while you're out there!"
"I'll do my best!"
The night air was refreshing, a little chilly, but he didn't mind as he got the gas grill up and running. Their backyard was in the process of being landscaped with shrubbery and a pond. Piers's idea since they'd recently purchased their dream house. He wanted it to be homey, welcoming, and with plenty of space left over for a playground for when they eventually adopted their first child.
By the time Piers came outside, the steaks were already on the grill. In his hands, Piers held a couple of glasses of red wine, offering one to Chris, who happily took it in hand.
"Thanks, pup."
"It's nice out here tonight," Piers said as he took a seat on the back porch swing that faced out towards the yard. It was close to the grill, but far enough that the fumes wouldn't bother him.
Piers's eyes sparkled while he looked at the star speckled sky, and once Chris closed the lid of the grill, and set the timer, he joined his beloved on the porch. Piers leaned against him when Chris wrapped his arms around his shoulder, sighing with a sound of contentment.
"You know," Chris started, kissing the temple of Piers's forehead. "I could sit out here forever with you."
"Me, too."
Chris sipped his wine, contemplating whether this was the moment or not. No, it had to be after dinner was complete. It wouldn't be fair to either of them to pop the question and then have to go back to cooking as if nothing had happened, or ruining their hard work by interrupting dinner. He wanted to allow them to celebrate without any distractions, where the only thing that mattered was the two of them.
It was hard. He never imagined proposing would be as difficult as it was. Then again, Chris knew he was making it more difficult by prolonging it, intending to make it as perfect as possible.
"You know," Piers said, tugging Chris from his thoughts. "Once we're finished moving in, do you want to adopt a child?"
"Course I do. I was just thinking about where we could put a play house, maybe a swing or some monkey bars for when they're older."
Piers nuzzled his face against Chris' neck, he could feel his smile against his skin.
"Yeah, our kid will be spoiled rotten."
"I'd want nothing less."
Once dinner was complete and plated on the dining room table that was decorated like a restaurant with a lit candelabra in the center, Chris dimmed the lights. He set the mood, but left it bright enough that Piers would be able to see the detail of the ring.
"Smells great," Chris commented, pulling the chair out for Piers. "Thanks for cooking dinner, pup."
"Thanks for your help!"
"I love cooking with you."
The smile on Piers' face set his soul aflame with everlasting fever as he took his seat next to him. He'd never tire of seeing him so happy, even when they grew old, he knew he wanted to wake up to his handsome face every single morning, for the rest of their lives.
The ring burned a hole in his pocket, but he contained himself, as he waited for the window of opportunity, whenever that may be. It would have helped if he'd ever seen a proposal outside of films, but he had an idea of how it was supposed to go.
He'd considered taking him out to dinner, but the thought of pressuring him into saying yes to a public proposal made him sick at the thought. The last thing he wanted to do was force Piers into agreeing with anything due to the pressure of onlookers watching them.
He considered a mini-moon would be better, once he'd already proposed. They could spend their time together without work interruptions while drinking martinis on the beach. It'd been a while since they'd taken a vacation together.
"Hey, Piers," Chris said after a few moments of silent eating. "I've been thinking about getting away from the city together. Somewhere quiet in the Bahamas. What do you think?"
"Really? I've been thinking about that, too. We've been working hard, I think we deserve a vacation before things get busy again."
"Agreed. I'll get the plane tickets and hotel reservations finished before the weekend."
Of course, he'd splurge on the best hotel they could afford. They weren't filthy rich, but were comfortable enough in their income that paying for a five-star hotel was barely a dent in their funds. Nothing was too much for his pup, and he'd empty his bank account entirely if Piers wanted something.
Once they'd both finished eating, Chris couldn't contain himself any longer. It was now or never. Waiting any longer would cause the burn in his pocket to ignite in a fuming fire in retaliation for his continuous stalling.
Piers stood and Chris all but fell as he hurried to bend his knee on the floor. He removed the black, velvety box from his pocket, opening it just in time to display the ring as Piers turned to look at him.
His boyfriend's eyes widened, lips parting before covering his mouth to muffle a surprised gasp.
"Piers," Chris started, wondering if he could hear his heart thundering against his chest, or see the tears brimming his eyes with overwhelming anticipation. "We've been together for three years now, and known each other even longer. You saved my life, not only in combat, but as a person. You're compassionate, selfless, and strong, that's what I love about you. Not only that, but you saw me as someone worth saving even when I lost myself to the bottle. You're my light, Piers, and I want nothing but to stay by your side, giving you the love you've always given me. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life, and I never want to find out. Will you marry me, Piers?"
The moment Chris popped the question, Piers erupted with an excited, squeaked reply that sounded like a yes before he threw his arms around Chris.
"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you, Chris!"
Chris lost his balance with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around Piers, who fell on top of him. Chris managed to keep his grip on the box to prevent the ring from dislodging and getting lost beneath something, but it wasn't forgotten by Piers, who sat upright on his waist, straddling him. He wore the biggest grin he'd ever seen on his face, holding his left hand out to accept the ring.
As his laugh turned to a chuckle, Chris slid the band onto his left ring finger, thankful that the fit was perfect. It'd taken him a long time of sneaking around to get his ring size, but it was well worth it in the end.
"I love you, Piers." Chris sat up, kissing Piers tenderly on the lips as his hands rested on either side of his hips.
"I love you, too, Chris."
"Sorry it took so long. I wanted it to be the perfect moment, but it's hard to time that kind of thing." Chris smiled, caressing Piers's cheek with his thumb as he cupped his face.
"You did great, I never suspected a thing." Piers admired the ring for a moment before he continued speaking, lifting his eyes to meet Chris's loving gaze. "Wanna go upstairs and celebrate our engagement?"
"You bet." Chris wanted nothing more than to celebrate their love at that moment.
Once they were upstairs, Chris wasted no time in pulling his fiancé to their bed. It was a king-size that was enough for the both of them to be comfortable, and to be able to do anything they could ever want in it. Then again, they rarely used the space unless they were intimate, neither wanted to sleep away from the other, always curled up with one another as if the separation from their bodies were too much.
Chris grabbed Piers by the back of the head gently, bringing him into for a firm, yet sentimental kiss upon his full, soft lips. As Piers returned the kiss, his fingers found the hem of Chris's shirt, pulling it over and off, tossing it somewhere to the side to be forgotten.
Kissing heavily, their hands roamed along every inch of each other's bodies before collapsing onto the bed, pressing themselves against one another. He could feel Piers's arousal against his abdomen and knew they wouldn't be able to take it slow; they seldom could, the hunger for one another was always ravenous.
They'd done this dance countless times over the years, yet now it was different--new and exciting--as if it were their first time together. The start of their new life as husbands, and Chris couldn't ask for a better future. Being with Piers for the rest of his life, and the unknowns that would appear along the paths they'd take together on their journey through the rest of their lives.
The sounds between the two were harmonious as they made love, intertwining their fingers as the passionate heat grew to a flood of fire between their thighs, holding each other as close as possible.
Chris didn't want to leave the position he was in once they'd reached the finale of their intimacy, but laid to the side to allow the both of them to relax. He pulled Piers into his arms, panting heavily as he stroked his lover's sweat matted hair.
"I love you, pup," Chris whispered as Piers pressed his cheek against Chris's chest. He could feel both of their hearts racing like a derby horse as the two of them caught their breath, riding the seconds of their climaxes.
"I love you, too, grizzly."
Closing his eyes contently, Chris couldn't wait for tomorrow, when the two of them would awake and start the new chapter of their lives together. Forever in each other's reach, and the love he knew they had for each other would be endless.
There was nothing left he could ever want in life, besides starting a loving family with his now fiancé. Nothing that he wouldn't give to remain with the love of his life, and do anything to make him happy.
"You have no idea how happy you make me," Chris said as he attempted to keep himself awake.
"I think I have an idea." Piers kissed his chest before returning his head to where it'd been.
Chris kissed the top of his head with a sleepy smile.
"Goodnight, pup."