William's Love - 19. Chapter 19

Valentines Day

“You okay Babe,” Liam said putting his hand down on my knee and squeezing it, pulling me out of my daze.

I gave him a weak smile, “Yeah, I guess so. Umm… could we go to Dad’s on the way home I want to talk to him about what the lawyer said? I know it’s my decision, but I’d like to have his opinion before I go any further.”

We have finally moved into our new house, it’s so weird having no parents around. Living with Katherine and Oliver is easy, we all do our fair share of cleaning and cooking. We don’t poke our nose in each other’s business, and we all get along. We all respect the privacy of one another, it’s been great. It probably helps the house has two master bedrooms with their own bathroom. We took the master upstairs so when the baby comes they won’t have to be up and down stairs carrying the baby.

The place is so big there are four bedrooms upstairs and two on the bottom floor. The two masters have their own bathroom plus there is a full bathroom upstairs and a toilet off of the wet room, so we don’t have to traipse to the second floor or invade their room while we are watching television. I know it’s only been a week, but we’ve all been pretty disciplined so far. Homework first then fun.

We’ve managed to fully unpack, and the house is starting to feel like a home. I still have to sort out my workshop that has been set up in the old work shed which stands behind the barn about 50 feet. We have left the barn alone for now, but Liam has been parking the Mustang in there to keep it out of the weather. I get that it was his Dad’s and now it’s his pride and joy. I keep telling him he needs to take a basic course in car maintenance or mechanics or something. It’s an old motor, and we’ll eventually need to know more than we do now if we don’t want to end up with massive mechanic bills. I even told him I’d do it with him, so he knew I cared about his relationship with his car.

“Yeah, did you want me to get a ride so you can talk to your Dad privately?” He said.

“Fuck no, I like you right beside me where you’re supposed to be.” I scowled at him. God my mood is shit today.

He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him and kissed my temple, quietly muttering, “I never want to be anywhere else sweet boy.” I rest my head on his shoulder.

Oliver sat down across from me at our regular lunch table and put his tray in front of him and Katherine’s at the empty seat next to him. I looked at him raising my eyebrow.

“She’s in the restroom, something about the smell of the lasagne making her feel sick.” He said shrugging one shoulder. But I could tell by the look on his face he was worried. That and he kept looking over at the restroom door. “I might take her home after lunch.”

“If you want, I can get Dad to come down and talk to Administration or the Principal. Whichever so that if she does have bad days all she’ll have to do is let them know and sign out for the day. You’ll be able to take her home then you can come back and gather her classwork to take home at the end of the day.” Liam got up from the table and put his salad on the table and took his tray, I watched as he threw his lasagne away and come back. He tucked into his salad and screwed up his face. He’s not much of a salad lover, poor guy prefers vegetables.

“It’s okay, I’ll ask him. I don’t want him to think I couldn’t come to him after he threatened me that it was my duty as a man and a father to take care of my family and if I needed help it was the manly thing to do.” Oliver chuckled as he imitated Dad’s words with air quotes.

“I’m going there on my way home I’ve got to talk to him about Mom, but I won’t say anything,” I assured him.

“Thanks, Dude,” Ollie said, he looked at Katherine as she sat down next to him. She looked a little pale and sweaty. He swept her hair back from her face, he kissed her forehead, and his eyebrows flew up. “Sweetie, I’m just going to make a call, and I’ll be right back are you going to be alright. These two will keep an eye on you for me.” He gave us the hard stare and Liam stood and moved over to the chair next to Katherine and let her fall into his side while his hand rubbed up and down the side of her arm for comfort.

Ollie come back a couple of minutes later, and Liam resumed his original seat giving his lady to him. I squeezed Liam’s hand as a thank you. “Of course,” he whispered to me. My god, we don’t even have to talk anymore, I love him so much. It feels like we’ve gotten even closer in the last week, it’s hard to explain. Well, I guess it isn’t. It seems like we actually have started our life together.

“Oh shit, don’t forget baseball training starts when we get back from Florida. It was incredible of the coach to let Seniors try out separately from the others. And since the three of us have all been playing a sport or keeping up with our fitness we aren’t expected until then. Also, Mr. Wright told me tomorrow is our first official meeting about the anti-bullying program. Things are heating up folks.” I snickered.

Ollie’s phone pinged. He picked it up and read the message. “Good, Will’s Dad, has spoken with the guidance counsellor, I’m free to take you home. We just have to go and see her first, and she’ll get you signed out with permission for me to leave and return. Come on sweetheart let’s get you home.” He said sympathetically lifting her from the chair.

“Thanks, baby,” she cuddled into him. They’re not going to be able to hide the pregnancy from our class much longer.

<>-<>-<>

We knocked on the door waiting for Dad to answer, so weird, I feel like a stranger now to the house I grew up in. It looks exactly the same, but it feels different. I don’t think I like growing up. The feeling of always being thrown out of my comfort zone is unsettling. It keeps coming at me over and over again. I adjust, and then something new comes our way. Being that next year is our last year of high school it’s going to happen more and more whether I want it to or not. I’m just going to have to get better at accepting change. As much as I love my life and Liam, it doesn’t feel like we’ve been having much fun lately.

“Hello my boys,” Dad said when he swung the door open, “why are you knocking this is still your home as long as I’m living here. You both have keys, and I’m lazy.” He stated chuckling and stepping aside so we could come in.

“We missed you!” I said to Dad, kissing him on my way through the threshold.

“I call bullshit,” He laughed, and we grinned at him.

“So if this is still our home does that mean I can help myself to a sandwich? I had to throw my lunch away, poor Katherine couldn’t handle the smell.” Liam asked while heading to the kitchen not waiting for an answer.

Dad roared a laugh, “Help yourself, I’ll have ham, cheese, and tomato.”

Liam stopped and looked at me, but I waved him off, “I’ll bring it into your office,” he told Dad over his shoulder going to the kitchen.

I sat down across from Dad at his desk and looked around. I don’t know why I keep expecting the place to be different. I’ve been gone a week.

“So do you miss me?” I asked Dad.

“Nope,”

“Nice Dad, way to make me feel loved.” I said chuckling, “Please tell me you and Papi weren’t affectionate in this chair.”

Dad’s eyes sparkled to match the wicked grin on his face. “Ew, Dad that’s gross,” I crowed as I went to stand up.

“Sit down, we aren’t teenagers. Plus we’d probably break a hip trying to do anything in that chair,”

I pulled a face at him, “Scarred for life, I’m going to need therapy with you two around.”

“If I can put up with the sounds coming from your bedroom, you’ll live. I promise,” he assured me while my face turned to the color of a fire engine. Dear god, please let the floor swallow me whole.

I cleared my throat, needing a change of subject, “I went to see a lawyer last week.”

“What? Why?” His face screwed up with, to be honest, it looked like fear.

“I want Mom out of my life, I thought emancipation might help with that. But unfortunately, it doesn’t. There are no statutes for it here in Kentucky, and a parent can pull the emancipation at any time. And it’s more about earning money and keeping the parents from taking it than it is them not interfering in your life.”

“Oh, so what are our options for you?” he asked calmly.

Wow, I thought this was going to be harder. I’m glad he doesn’t seem upset by it. I know she’s pulled some evil crap but she’s still my mother – he reminds me. Misguided even so. Liam came in and handed Dad a sandwich and flopped into the chair next to me resting an ankle on his other knee creating a tray for his plate. He took a huge bite making the nom nom sound, and his eyes rolled back in his head. I grinned at him, and he offered me a bite of his double decker. Fuck he’s adorable. I lifted my hand and thumbed away the mustard on the side of his mouth chuckling at him.

“Bhunkuu Bhuby,” I tilted my head in confusion, what did he say. Oh, Thank you, Baby. I laughed a “You’re welcome gorgeous” and winked at him. He gave me a big smile and took another huge bite. “God, you’re a pig?” He flashed me a grin showing me his full mouth, so gross. But it made me laugh.

I turned my focus back to Dad before I forgot why we were here. “Well, that’s the thing. I have two choices or three if you include doing nothing and waiting until I’m eighteen. Which is not an option. Especially after pulling that restraining order crap last week.”

“Fucking bitch,” I hear Liam spit out next me. I put my hand on his thigh and squeezed to show I love him. Last week the devil woman had the audacity to take out a restraining order on my behalf to keep Liam away from me. It took two days and an emergency court hearing to get it fixed up. Luckily my cousin Alex’s brother-in-law works for the best firm in the country. He hooked us up with someone from his firm here in Kentucky, and all we had to pay were the court costs. It nearly wiped out our mutual savings. If we’d had to pay the cost of the lawyer, it would have wiped out our personal savings too. But as I said I’m done with her.

“What’s the first option?” Dad asked then biting into his late lunch.

“Finding a way to get her to give up her parental rights.” I cocked my eyebrow waiting for a reaction.

Dad nodded slowly, I could see the cogs turning in his head, “Okay and what’s the other option?”

I sighed, “Liam block your ears,”

His head snapped toward me, and he made an enquiring sound, cocking his eyebrow at me. Dad looked at me as if I were crazy. “Please!” I begged. He hmphed and did as he was asked.

“Liam and I get married, with yours and Mom’s – Kitt’s – permission of course,” I tried to whisper.

“I CHOOSE THAT OPTION!” Liam said loudly with his fingers in his ears. I knew he would pick that option because it’s the one thing I know he wants. I grabbed his hand and pulled his fingers out.

I looked at him, “Baby, I love you. And I promise someday we will get married. But I refuse to do it because it’s an option or a solution to a problem. We’ll do it because we are in love and we want to be married.”

“But I do want to be married to you,” he said sadly.

I looked over at Dad for help. He just stared at me blinking, big help.

“Okay Liam, I promise, Promise You, that we will get married, but there are a few things I want first. Things that won’t happen if we’re married.”

He looked down at the floor, “Like what?” it was almost a whisper. God, knife to the gut. I can’t believe I’ve hurt him. Being the person to make him hurt is never the person I want to be.

I picked up his empty plate and put it on Dad’s desk, then took his hand and brought it to my chest. “Look at me Liam,” he brought his eyes up to mine, and I felt my stomach drop out and the sting in the back of my eyes. Fuck, he’s really hurt. “Let me be clear okay, I love you so much that sometimes it hurts. There is no one else on this planet that could make me love or feel loved the way you do. You love me unconditionally I see it everytime you look at me, I feel it everytime we’re together. And you make me say embarrassingly sappy things in front of my Dad,” I chuckled and heard Dad give a little laugh. “But if I can get that devil woman to give up her parental rights, I would like for Papi to adopt me, so he’s legally my Dad. I don’t know if it’s even possible, but I’d like to find out, but I’d have to ask Papi he may not even want that.”

“He Does!” A voice croaked from behind, causing me to jump and turn around in my seat. Papi was standing in the doorway, the stealthy fucker. Tears falling from his eyes.

“When did you get back! I thought you were meeting us in Florida.” Dad leaped from his chair and wrapped his arms around the man tightly. Wiping the tears from his face, Dad whispered something in Papi’s ear that made him smile as he hugged Dad back. He pulled back a little from the embrace and leaned in to kiss Dad. And what a fucking kiss. Gross!!

“Ew, kids present and don’t need to see that.” Liam snickered. I secretly loved how happy they were and that it didn’t matter to them where they were their affection for each other trumped everything around them.

“I’ll show you a real kiss when we get home,” Liam whispered to me then kissed my ear. He seems to have forgotten he’s upset with me. I wiggled my eyebrows at him. He sat back and crossed his arms, with a stare that would relieve me of my underwear and said “Uh-huh!”

“Son, I’ll call you later. We’ll all have dinner Wednesday night, and we can discuss it further.” Dad mumbled without looking at me and walking Papi backward out of the room still holding each other.

Ew!!

<>-<>-<>

After leaving fifth period, I ducked into the video closet knowing it’s kept open and that Liam will walk straight by it. I hid and opened the door just enough so I could see out into the hallway. I see Liam coming, he’s talking with Michael and laughing. Just as he’s walking past the door, I reach out and grab him and pull him in shutting the door behind him and aggressively pushing him up against it. My body reacts automatically to him, I land my mouth over his and possessively kiss him.

One hand is holding his shoulder against the door the other is trying to undo his fly. I felt his whole body go tense and his eyes were wide open, like saucers. He eventually melted into my assault and put his hands on my shoulders. I got his fly down and pulled his jeans down to his thighs, and his beautiful half erect cock was poking through the gap in his boxers. I dropped to my knees and took him in my mouth all the way down until he hit the back of my throat. I also fumbled until I had myself in hand making sure he could see. There was no way I wouldn’t come in my pants, watching him get off while he watched me and the added high of getting caught. I felt him grow in my mouth harder than I’d ever felt him. He let out a low moan, and his hand went to my head, and he bucked his hips toward my mouth. I needed him to come quick, and I know how to get his body to react. He liked it when I took him in my mouth all the way, massaging his balls at the same time, I stroked myself hard and fast, and if I swallow his tip down the back of my throat and moan, the vibration will cause him to cum in about ten seconds. Both of his hands were in my hair while he tried to thrust into my mouth as he watched me suck on his cock and me stroking myself.

“Grrr… nnnngggggghhhhhhhh… Fuck! Babe!” Liam whisper yelled out.

He exploded into my mouth, I swallowed as quick as I could to catch it all. I erupted hard, moaning while Liam clawed my hair as he cum. Fuck I love the taste of him. I just can’t ever get enough. When I had licked every drop to clean him up, I tucked him in his pants, pulled myself together then grabbed a rag hanging on a rack to clean up the mess I made on the floor. Then smashed our mouths together.

“Happy Valentines Day! Love you, Liam,”

He rested his forehead on my shoulder, “Fuck, I love you, Happy Valentines Day!” Liam panted and tried to laugh at the same time. God, he’s hot, all sweaty and flushed. It is a thing of beauty watching him let go in a moment of passion. Well, in this case, a moment of youthful horniness, but still. “We better go we’re going to be late to the gym.” He put his bag on his shoulder and took my hand in his opening the door and we just swanned out. No-one really took any notice, and we walked together hand-in-hand to the gym. We passed a couple of the football goons on the way, which unfortunately included Gator, he couldn’t help himself.

“Fuckin’Fags,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear, which caused a few sets of eyes to turn in our direction.

“Ignore him, Babe,” Liam said and tugged my hand so I would walk closer to him. Always the protector and so I did and we kept walking to the gym.

“I’m too happy to care about his shit right now, that was way fun. I hope you enjoyed it.” I stated and knocked his shoulder with mine smiling up at his beautiful face.

He chuckled and gave me my smile, the one reserved just for me, “I can’t believe we did that. It was fucking hot, I think we should try and christen all the closets in this place,” then leaning down to kiss me while we walked.

“Well, we have a year and a bit to try and get it done. I reckon we should be able to manage some of them a couple of times.” I laughed. He squeezed my hand as we walked and he had a big smile on his face. I put that there. Me.

<>-<>-<>

The meeting for the anti-bullying program went off without a hitch. We all introduced ourselves, gave a quick reason why we wanted to be a part of the committee. Mr. Wright handed us a sheet with the procedures we were to follow, in the case of bullying and the process involved. The big assembly introducing the committee and the program was set for the first day back after the coming week off on break. It was also decided – my objection, notwithstanding – I would present the program to the school at the assembly. We would all spend the first two days back in training with experts from the agency the school had purchased the program from.

This is so great, I thought it was going to end up being a lot more work to get off of the ground, but the new principal was all about a strict zero tolerance when it came to bullying. Which let's face it, is a lot better than the last homophobic goober head that ran this school. She made it clear that I am the chairman of the student committee, and all queries and problems were to go through me if there was no clear procedure for the issue. I would then, in turn, meet with, her, the guidance counselor and Mr. Wright once a month to discuss all matters unless I thought there was a pressing need.

Everyone was still hanging around after the meeting chatting. Liam was talking with the sophomore committee members about baseball. The boy has just made the junior varsity team and was bending Liam’s ear about it. The girl was swooning all over Liam, batting her eyelashes and giggling at everything he said and touching his arm. Surely she knew he was gay, it’s no secret that we are together. Then I hear her gasp, “Oh! Liam,” and she gently smacked his arm. I guess not – and then she giggled as I gathered our papers and bags.

Someone stood next to me, “You seem amused by someone flirting with your boyfriend,” I turned and looked at the friendly voice. It was Ms. Temple the new Principal.

I chuckled, “I am in fact. The poor girl has no chance, and he makes it hard for them not to swoon all over him. He can be charming when he wants to be. And he’s a big flirt, the ladies in administration love him.”

She threw her head back and laughed, “I know, I’ve heard them talk after he’s been in there. He seems like a lovely young man.”

“I like him,” I smiled at her.

“I suppose you would, there weren’t any problems with your family about your relationship?” She’s fishing now, but she seems really easy to talk to and genuinely interested.

“No, not at all. Well, the exception of my Mother. But according to our other loving parents, it was expected. We’ve been best friends since we were four. When I was upset and confused about my feelings over liking another guy, my Dad guessed what was wrong and showed me that our relationship had always been one of more than just friends, but we just didn’t know any different. They had all been biding their time until I come around. Once I did, Liam informed me that he’d been pining over me for two years and all the parents knew.” She laughed along with me, “I guess my brain needed to catch up with the rest of me. But now we couldn’t be happier.”

“I heard about the bullying that started you on this very commendable crusade. Have things settled down now?” She’s still fishing, the dirty dog. But I can’t help myself she’s very warm and personable it makes you want to spill your guts.

I chuckled, and her expression was amused, “Yeah for the most part, but I changed some things after it happened. I did a self-defence class and started training at the boxing gym. It gave me back my confidence and self-esteem, so I’m good. The coaches helped me by having a word with the offenders, and Mr. Wright helped me with the rest. Plus I always have Liam, and since then we have surrounded ourselves with a good group of friends.” I said looking over to Liam, fuck he’s gorgeous.

“Well, that’s always a plus. Do you get to spend much time outside of school together?”

“You should have become an interrogator,” I said laughing, “But yes we live together, we just bought a house, and we live with another couple of senior’s Katherine and Oliver. My Dad, Papi his boyfriend, and Liam’s Mom keep a close eye on us. They set rules for us, and we follow them, it’s no different to living at home, but they aren’t there. I miss them not being around all of the time.” Ms. Temple smiled warmly at me and waited for me to continue. “We have dinner at our house once a week and brunch at theirs one day on the weekend, they all live at my Dad’s house. Each of us still speaks to one of them at least once a day. Plus,” I said pointing at Mr. Wright, “Uncle Ian and the coaches keeps them informed of how we’re doing in school.”

I put my hand over my mouth in shock, my lord this woman has super powers. “Oh god, please don’t say anything. No one knows what’s going on. And we don’t want Katherine and Oliver to know that Liam and I own the house. They think Dad and Papi own it. Please, please, please.”

She laughed, “Your secret is safe with me.”

Liam sidled up next to me, took his bag and put his arm around my waist, then kissed my temple. “Oh my god Liam, don’t let Ms. Temple ask you any questions. She’ll get you with her voodoo and have you spilling your guts in no time. She’s like a CIA operative.” I chuckled, she was still laughing, but Ms. Temple is also watching how we interact with each other.

“Alrighty, consider my lips sealed.” He did the action of locking his lips with a key and throwing it away. “You ready Hon, you're going to be late to meet Papi and then we have reservations for dinner.”

“Yep,” I turned to Ms. Temple, “That was fun spilling all my secrets to you, Ms. Temple. Next time we talk I’m bringing someone with me to keep my mouth from verbal diarrhea.” I laughed.

“I look forward to it, my door is always open boys, anytime. Have a nice Valentines Dinner.” She smiled and waved us goodbye as we walked off.

<>-<>-<>

I grabbed Papi’s hand and pulled him to the display I was looking at, “What about those Papi, they suit you and Dad down to a T.”

Papi signaled for the salesgirl, “Could we look at those matching platinum rings please, and those two there with the opal inlay.”

“Absolutely sir,” she said as she unlocked the display cabinet.

“I like those too. I didn’t think they would be your style though.” I said.

“They aren’t, but they do suit you and Liam.” I raised my eyebrow enquiringly as if to say what the hell are you talking about. Papi sighed, “Okay, hear me out. I was talking with your Dad last night about the situation with your Mom and what you plan to do. Obviously with your plans getting married is not the answer and I happen to agree with you, getting married as an option or a solution is not the right way to start a marriage.”

“Oookaay?” drawing the word out.

“The idea is to present these as a promise to get engaged at a later point. These rings are as a symbol of that commitment and will keep you two connected and in sync. I know it all sounds a little like high school, young love bull-shit. But go with me on this for a minute before you dismiss it. I’m not a fan of teenage marriage, although I don’t really have a concern with the both of you making it work. Even before you were financially stable, a plan was in place so you could stay together through college and through to the rough old life of adulting in the real world. Most teenagers are selfish and impatient following their dreams, and they should be it’s important. But you guys made room for both of you to achieve that. So I have no doubt your love is real, and forever. I, however, would rather you wait until you're eighteen.”

I chuckled, “So would I.”

“Again, I don’t have any say in what you do,” Papi said with a warm smile.

“Please hear me when I say this, what I said in Dad’s office yesterday is absolutely what I want. And regardless of whether you're my Dad legally or not your opinion matters to me. I love you, Papi,” I choked out around the lump in my throat.

He pulled me into a hug, and in a quavering voice told me he loved me too. Pulling back from our embrace, his smile was from ear-to-ear and his eyes wet with unshed tears. “Anyway, Liam wants everything with you and for you. He fights to make you happy and your dreams to come true, just as you do for him. I think he’ll be satisfied with this while he waits for the right time.”

We turned back to the salesgirl she was wiping her eyes with a tissue, “I’m sorry,” she chortled “You have a lovely family.”

“Thank you,” Papi said and smiled and rubbed his hand down my back proud that we were family.

We examined the rings, and Papi agreed the platinum bands were perfect for him and Dad. He gave the lady the sizes and wrote down the inscription he wanted, I didn’t look because it’s something that is personal to a couple. She informed him they wouldn’t be ready until Friday. He was okay with that. The rings Papi picked for Liam and me were absolutely perfect for us, the sizes were even right. The price, however, was a little out of reach for my funds at the moment.

“Do you have layaway?” I asked the lady.

“Yes we do, all you’ll need to do is pay $200.00 today, and you’ll have four weeks to pay the remainder.” I started doing the math in my head, that’s still a little steep as I have more bills now that we are no longer living at home. Rent, cable, and the internet, our phones not to mention food, gas, and utilities. I also have the loan for Liam’s camera gear. Wow, you're never quite ready for real life to smack you in the face.

I looked at the rings again, running my fingers over them, “Umm…”

“He’ll take them,” Papi said pulling out his wallet again, thumbing for his credit card.

“But…” He put his hand up to stop me.

“I want you to have these Love, consider it every Christmas and birthday I missed with my son. You can pay for the inscription if you want one.” He said grasping the back of my head and gently thumbing my cheek, in a loving fatherly way. Not some creepy old man way.

“But I should pay for these, Papi.”

“It’s our secret Love, no one needs to know.” He said releasing me from his grasp.

“Thank you,” I replied sheepishly.

The sales girl clapped her hands quickly like a hummingbird in flight and wiggled her little body in excitement, “If you like I can get the inscription done for you to have them tonight. Go have a coffee, and they’ll be ready.” She said as she took payment from Papi.

“Are you sure, that seems an awful lot to ask on Valentines Day so late in the day?” I asked her quietly.

She leaned forward resting her arms on the counter, whispering, “He’s my boyfriend, his twin brother is gay, and he would do anything in the world for him. So I’ll play it up and get my own way,” she grinned, “wait there, and I’ll double check.” She quickly strode off and come back in roughly two minutes with her boyfriend in tow.

“Hi there,” he grinned, “it’s no problem what would you like for the inscription?”

“What about “Promise.” I want to save what I really want for our wedding rings.”

He smiled at me, “Sounds good, he’s a lucky guy.”

“Thank you for doing this,” I said gratefully as I pulled out my wallet to pay for the inscription and the boyfriend waved me off.

“See you guys in thirty minutes.” He said over his shoulder grinning as he walked toward the back of the store.

<>-<>-<>

Liam and I were seated near a window, mostly away from other diners. We could see the lights and the movement of life outside. The table and three others like ours were elevated by a step up to them. The table was lit by candlelight, and the tables had white linen table clothes as well as the napkins which had been shaped into swans. A basket of bread sticks on the table with a herb, butter dip. Music softly crooning from above. It was terribly romantic, I looked at the love of my life seated across from me. He looked incredibly HOT and handsome in his suit. I definitely have a chubby and can’t wait to get home and take that suit off of him, slowly and then make love. The grey suit fit him perfectly, his crimson red tie complemented the outfit. How did I get so lucky, that he loves me?

We’d already ordered drinks, appetizer, and mains and were just waiting. I wonder if I should do this now or between the mains and dessert. Before dessert, I think. Liam moved his feet under the table capturing mine and holding them with his. The server brought our drinks and the appetizer. We ate our prawn cocktails silently, Liam held my hand and ate with the other. The only time he let go was to use his napkin. He’s so beautiful inside and out.

Our mains followed shortly after, we ate and stared into each other's eyes not saying much other than to tell each other how much we were in love. It was the perfect night, and the best one we’ve had in a while. Dinner was delicious. I tried his risotto, and he tried my eggplant dish. Shockingly he liked it. I’ll have to keep that in mind and find the recipe online. Once we finished dinner the server asked if we wanted dessert, I asked if we could have a few minutes and we’d share a triple shot, chocolate sundae.

“You alright Babe? You look kind of pale.” He asked.

“Umm… Yeah. I’m just nervous, I have something to tell you, and I don’t know how you’ll feel about it.” I uttered quietly trying to build up the nerve to continue.

He took both my hands in his and rubbed circles into the back on one with his thumb, “You can tell me anything Babe, you know that.” He looked worried.

I let out a breath, “Okay, this is kind of awkward for me.” I paused, and he patiently waited, “Yesterday, I know I hurt your feelings in Dad’s office.” He looked away for a second and turned back to me, and his eyes were watery. Fuck! I’ve hurt him again. The look on his face made the back of my eyes sting with tears and caused a lump in my throat, but I had to soldier through. “The one thing you’ve always been certain about is us, and you’ve never ever wavered. This relationship is what you’ve wanted for a long time. But I’m still catching up. I love you more than anything or anyone else. You and Dad talk and tease me about marriage, but I know it’s what you want. Putting you off all the time hurts your feelings, I can’t be the person to hurt you, and it kills me every single time.”

I tried to clear the lump from my throat and continue, but it didn’t work, so I persevered, “I know you understand there are a few things I want, the adoption with Papi. Getting the devil woman to give up her parental rights, so she’ll stop messing with my life,” I squeezed his hand, “our life. I also feel you think I don’t want to marry you but that couldn’t be further than the truth. I hope you don’t think this is ridiculous. God, I’m messing this all up.” I blew out a breath.

Liam squeezed my hand softly said with a warm smile – a variation on his smile just for me, “It’s okay Will I understand, and I don’t think that at all. Wanting to be Papi’s son legally means a lot to you and an awful lot more to him. I get it. I want you to have those things especially the part of ridding our lives of that woman. I love you, Honey, sometimes I forget in my head that it’s only been six months for you. We are always so connected, and it feels like we’ve been together forever.”

I could feel tears fall from eyes tickling my cheeks. “I’ve got something that I hope will remind you every day that I promise to marry you as soon as humanly possible after I achieve those.” I pulled my hand from his and reached into my pocket for the ring box and put it on the table in front of him. “These are to keep us connected and show our commitment to each other while that happens. I don’t for one second want you to think I don’t love you or want our lives to be joined as one.” I had to stop talking, I could barely get the words out past all the crying. God, I’m such a sap and a big damn baby.

Liam lifted the ring box in his hand, he looked into my eyes before he opened it. I nodded my head giving permission for him to open the box. The look on his face when he saw the rings will be burned in my memory forever. It was a look of intense, raw love. His unshed tears were falling, as he reached into the box and took out the smaller ring. He looked at the inside of the ring and then repeated the inscription – “Promise” – he turned his focus back to me. Opened his mouth, but no words come out.

Liam stood and come around to my side of the table and tugged on my hand for me to stand up and he put the ring on my finger, then leaned back and observed my hand. His arms reached around me gathering me into the tightest hug, his hand went to the back of my head and pulled it down to the curve of his neck. I fit perfectly. We fit perfectly.

He whispered in my ear, “The rings are beautiful Will, and they’re perfect. I love you so much, Sweetheart.” Liam then kissed me chastely, but it soft and loving. We are in a restaurant after all. After he had released me from his arms, I reached over and took the other ring from the box and put it on his ring finger as well. He ran his thumb across it. “I can’t wait for the real thing, but this is perfect.”

We must have looked like idiots, both standing next to our table sobbing. The tables around us gave a quiet applause, and they came up to us and gave us their congratulations before they left the restaurant. I guess they think we got engaged, but Liam grinned from ear-to-ear thanking them. I didn’t want to spoil the feeling for him, he’s my one love in this world, and I will try to make him as happy as I can for the rest of my life. Even if we aren’t getting married – YET!