Everything was perfect. Steve went through his mental checklist and smiled when he had everything. Except one thing. Daniel Williams. Steve frowned as he looked down at his watch. It was after seven. He told Danny to be here at seven sharp. He picked up his phone and sent Danny a text.

Danny sat outside Steve's house, nervous as a five-year old on his first day of kindergarten, and sweating like a pig. His phone buzzed, alerting him that he received a text message. He picked up his phone and opened the message. It was from Steve.

'Where are you? You didn't forget, did you?'

Danny rolled his eyes as he replied.

'No, Steven. I did not forget. I was running late. I just pulled in and I'll be in in a few minutes.'

Danny took a deep breath before pocketing his phone and exiting the car. He had a weird feeling that Steve was planning something and that made him really nervous.

Danny walked up to the house and stood in front of the door. He wiped his sweaty palms off on his dress pants and entered the house. Danny was about to call out to Steve when he noticed a candlelit pathway lined with rose petals.

He chuckled and shook his head as he followed the path leading out to the lanai where he saw a table covered with a red tablecloth and candles decorating the center.

A bottle of wine sat towards the middle of the table and Danny walked over to inspect the bottle. His eyes widened when he saw it was a vintage Pinot Noir.

He gently placed the bottle back down on the table. He's no wine connoisseur, but he knew that was a very expensive wine. Danny heard movement coming from behind him and turned just in time to see Steve coming through the French door with two plates in his hands.

Steve's breath caught as soon as his eyes landed on Danny. He looked him over head to toe and back appreciatively. He put the plates down on the table and walked over to Danny.

Steve licked his suddenly dry lips and then smiled at his lover. "Wow, Danny. You look amazing." he took in how the blue shirt made his eyes pop and showed off his muscular torso.

Danny felt a blush creeping up his neck to stain his cheeks and he was glad for the low lighting. He gave Steve a once over of his own and loved the way Steve's white dress shirt pulled across his muscles and looked great against his tan complexion.

Danny smiled back at Steve. "Right back at'cha babe. You clean up nice. Should dress like this more often." he told the man as he stepped closer and leaned up to place a quick kiss to Steve's lips.

Subconsciously, Steve grabbed onto Danny's hips when he moved forward. Steve smiled down at the man before capturing Danny's lips again.

They kissed for a few more minutes before Steve reluctantly pulled away from those tantalizing lips.

"As much as I want to continue this, dinner is getting cold." One last kiss to those lips and Steve led Danny over to the table and they took their seats.

Steve popped the cork on the wine and poured them a glass. Dinner went by in a comfortable silence. Every now and then, Danny would let out an appreciative moan as the flavors burst across his taste buds.

Danny looked over at his lover. "Damn babe. This is the most amazing thing I've ever had! You, my friend, are amazing! God, I love you so much." he said as his arms flailed around.

Steve was watching him, an amused smile on his face. The sounds that Danny was making went straight to his dick, causing him to shift a little. He finished up the last of his meal before he answered Danny.

"I'm a man of many talents, Danno." he smirked at the shorter man. "And I love you too."

Steve subtly adjusted himself before he stood and gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen. He set the dishes in the sink before he leaned heavily on the counter.

He was starting to get nervous as he prepared dessert. The black velvet box he had in his pants pocket was starting to feel heavy against his leg.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and brought out the strawberry cheesecake that he made earlier. He placed a piece in front of Danny and the other in front of himself.

He pulled out the ring box and set it on his thigh. Steve watched his lover as he enjoyed the cheesecake. Steve swallowed against the lump in his throat and gripped the ring box tighter.

Danny was in heaven. He had never tasted cheesecake this exquisite before. Damn, his SEAL could cook. He wondered what other hidden talents his boyfriend had.

Steve waited until Danny had closed his eyes before he made his move. He quietly moved over to Danny's side of the table and got down on one knee and opened the ring box.

He cleared his throat to gain Danny's attention. Danny opened his eyes and was taken aback at how close Steve was.

Danny had a confused look on his face. "Steve, what're you—"

Steve cut him off before he could finish. "Please, let me say this before I change my mind." he watched Danny give him the 'please continue' gesture.

Steve took a deep breath. God, he was so nervous. What if Danny rejected him? He doesn't know if he's ready for that kind of rejection.

He felt his lungs beginning to burn and released the breath he was holding. He shook his head to clear those thoughts away. No. Danny won't reject him. They love each other.

'I'm ready for this and I've waited a long time for someone like Danny.' he told himself.

Steve looked Danny straight in the eye. "Danny, I never thought that I would get to have this. I thought I would spend the rest of my days as a bachelor in the Navy and have random hook-ups." he paused and smiled at Danny.

"But then you came into my life and everything changed. You've changed my way of thinking and my outlook on the world. You took a chance on me and you've never looked back. You gave me a chance to be a sort of step-father to Grace and I love that little girl like she was my own." he reached up and wiped the tear that fell down Danny's cheek.

"You and Grace are my world and I love the both of you with everything that I have. You gave me a life and a home again and I can never thank you enough for that. Daniel Williams, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

This was it, the moment of truth. Steve stared at Danny, tear tracks littering his cheeks. He felt his own tears on his face. His mind was racing through so many scenarios and most of them ended in rejection.