Day 7: One of them proposes

It was a Friday evening at the beginning of Jamie's senior year at McKinley High School.

It was Nick's turn to prepare the meal tonight, and Jamie was busy doing his homework at the kitchen table. Nick popped the chicken wrapped in bacon into the oven, next to the baked potatoes, before sitting across from Jamie, looking a little nervous.

Jamie noticed his dad was acting weird, so he put his pen down to say, "Okay, Dad. Spill."

Nick gave a short laugh, running his hands through his hair. "You know me too well!"

"Sooo..." Jamie prompted. "Please tell me we're not having the sex talk again?" His ears went pink.

Nick laughed. "No, I just... uh... why is this so difficult? I guess I just wanted to check you're happy with me and Jeff, you know, together as a family."

Jamie smiled. "Are you kidding? Of course I am. I've got the best parents out of my whole class. I'm pretty sure most of my friends are jealous!"

Nick smiled. "Is that how you see me and Jeff? As your parents?"

Jamie nodded instantly. "Yes. I love you guys."

"We love you too." Nick replied. "So, I wanted to ask what you thought of making that a little more official."

Jamie's eyes widened and he shrieked. "Are you getting married?"

Nick hurriedly shushed him, hoping Jeff hadn't heard from the other room where he was marking work at the dining room table.

"I haven't asked him yet. I wanted to talk to you first. Then I hoped you'd help me pick out the rings."

Jamie got up to hug Nick tight. "Of course!"


A couple of weeks later, Nick had just picked up the rings from the jeweller. He and Jamie had chosen quite plain platinum bands with slightly different details - Jeff's had three small diamonds set into it, whilst Nick's had a scored pattern running round it.

He knocked on Jamie's door, waiting until he yelled for him to enter. Nick found him sat on his bed with his laptop on his thighs, typing away. He went to sit at the foot of the bed, clutching the rings in his backpack.

"Are you okay, Jamie?" Nick asked, thinking he seemed a bit quieter than usual.

"Yeah. I was just... thinking about something. Since we chose the rings and all."

"Yes?" Nick urged him on.

"Well, if you and Jeff get married, one of you will change their name, or both, so you'll have the same surname. Like Duval-Sterling. Or Sterling-Duval. Or just Duval. Or Sterling."

"Uh, yes. Probably one of the double-barrelled ones. I thought Jeff and I could discuss that if he says yes."

Jamie looked incredulously at Nick. "Well, duh. Of course he'll say yes!" They smiled at each other.

"So what's bothering you, then?"

Jamie mumbled a little, but Nick still heard it. "I'll be the odd one out...still a Henderson."

Nick got up to sit next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders for a squeeze. "Hey, any time you want to do something about that, we'll get the legal side rolling, okay? It's just you haven't mentioned it recently."

Jamie looked sheepish, turning his laptop screen so Nick could see. "I, uh, did some research. It looks like you just need to prove at a court hearing that you are my adoptive parent and then I don't think we have to give legal notice of the appearance at court to...them."

Jamie always referred to his biological parents as "them".

"So, you want to change your surname?" Nick clarified, his beaming smile giving away his happiness at Jamie's train of thought.

Jamie nodded. "Yes. If it's okay with both of you, I'd like to take whatever surname you two end up with."

Nick couldn't help the tears collecting in his eyes and slipping down his cheeks as he heard those words.

"I'd love that. I can't wait to tell Jeff. He'll be so pleased you want to include his surname too. Just the small matter of proposing first!" He looked suddenly panicked.


The next Saturday morning, Jeff had plans with his mother who had suddenly decided to take him out for brunch. She had been extremely insistent. He was having fun, but he couldn't understand why it had been so urgent to go out for a relaxing meal.

Come to think of it, it was pretty easy to change my plans with Nick and Jamie too. I wonder if they're all up to something. It's not my birthday any time soon. He puzzled to himself.

When Andrea dropped her son back home, she very quickly accepted the offer to stay for a drink. Jeff was definitely starting to smell a rat when she wouldn't stop smiling as he turned his key in the lock, his mother following him in.

"What the...?" He said out loud as he saw rose petals on the floor of the hall. The red velvety petals were scattered in a trail leading into the dining room which had lit candles placed all over it.

Jamie stood smiling happily at the far end of the room as Nick, dressed smartly in black pants and a shirt stepped forward.

Jeff bit his lip, struggling to hold his emotions in and listen to Nick without leaping into his arms.

"Jeffrey Sterling, since the moment I first saw you when I was late for the teacher-parent meeting when Jamie and I first moved here, I knew you were something special. I was right.

You have found your way into our hearts as Jamie's favourite teacher and my amazing boyfriend. Since you moved in, we really have felt like the perfect family. Jamie and I would love to make that permanent."

He swallowed, trying not to break down. He put his hand in his pocket, taking out a ring box. He opened it and sank down onto one knee, looking up at the emotional blond. "Jeffery Sterling, will you marry me?"

Jeff nodded frantically, tears beginning to escape his eyes as he answered, "Yes! Yes! A million times yes!" He pulled Nick up off the floor and kissed him soundly.