Jack and I padded upstairs, naked, our fingers laced together. I turned the water on in the shower and adjusted the temperature, then got in. Jack promptly followed.

I watched as Jack closed his eyes and allowed the hot water to envelop him, drenching his bright green hair and making it cascade in streams over his closed eyelids. His face was relaxed and I could see he was taking pleasure in the hot water.

I picked up the shampoo and squeezed a small amount in my hand.

"Come here. Let me wash your hair," I said in a low voice, startling Jack out of the world of relaxation he let himself drift into. He took a step toward me, just enough to get his hair out of the falling water.

I lathered the rich smelling shampoo through his hair, taking my time, enjoying the feeling of Jack's wet locks under my fingertips, but being mindful of the fresh stitches. I studied his gorgeous face, taking in the creaminess of his skin, the stubble on his jaw, how long his eyelashes were as they rested against his cheeks.

"Rinse," I told him, placing my hand under his chin and lifting his head, my voice remaining low. Jack tilted his head back under the water to rinse the suds, and I used my hands to help.

Jack opened his eyes, fluttered his eyelashes for a second, rubbed at them, and looked at me. His gaze remained on my face for quite some time before he spoke. He placed his hand on my neck.

"Mark... what would I do without you? Do you have any idea how in love with you I am? Do you have any clue how much my life has changed since I met you?" He asked, his hand on my cheek, thumb stroking my skin.

"Yes, Jack, I do... At least I think I do... because my life has changed as well." I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he returned the gesture by wrapping his around my waist. "We have had a lot of horrible things happen to us in a short amount of time, but honestly, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Everything, even the bad stuff, happened for a reason," I whispered. "I love you more than you could ever know." I leaned in closer to him and kissed him, long and slow, feeling the warm water trickle between our faces.

I broke our kiss, and Jack touched his forehead. "But... I can't wrap my head around how the hell we can be true soulmates. I mean, you have angel DNA, and I have demon DNA. How could it happen?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I dunno... but I'm not gonna question it. I don't want to make the destiny gods mad..." I smiled, and Jack giggled.

We finished our shower, dried off, and made our way to our bedroom to get dressed. We both threw on boxers. I slipped into a clean pair of sweatpants, and Jack pulled on some gym shorts and a T-shirt. We climbed into bed and snuggled into each other. Although it was still early in the day, I woke up early, and I was tired. I drifted off to sleep with my arm wrapped around Jack's waist.

When I woke up, I was alone. I reached for my phone to check the time, but I forgot I left it downstairs before Jack and I came up to shower.

I rolled over, eventually managing to get up and drag myself down the stairs. Jack was sitting at the table sipping coffee. I noticed my laptop sitting unopened right in front of him. I stashed all the notes and papers I had out earlier, but I left the laptop on the table.

"Hey... whatcha doing?" I asked him, walking closer.

"Just woke up from an amazing nap. Oh... I didn't wake you up, did I?" Jack asked, looking worried.

"Nah, I usually wake up if I can't feel you next to me. Is there more coffee?"

"Yep. I was just going to email my sister, but my laptop decided now would be a good time to update. I'm gonna just use yours..." he said, and before I could protest he opened the lid.

I know he would have just logged me out and logged in with his own account, as we have done on each others laptops numerous times, but I never closed out of the email from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before I closed the lid earlier.

Jack moved the mouse to close the email, but he noticed the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services logo, and stopped.

"...Jack, I..."

"Mark? What... what is this?" He turned his head to look at me, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion, fear and anger. "Is this what you have been hiding from me? You have been talking to U.S. Immigration? This isn't some secret that you keep from me, Mark. If something is going on with me or my work Visa, I need to know! Why would you keep this from me?" His voice was filled with anger and uncertainty.

"... Jack, please... I can explain..."

"Explain what? Why didn't you tell me U.S. Immigration has been in contact with you? Is something wrong with my work Visa? Oh... oh my god, are they sending me back to Ireland?!" I could see the anger slip from Jack's face and become stricken with fear.

I sighed. "No, Jack. Nothing like that," I ran my fingers through my messy, red hair. "I wanted it to be a surprise," I stroked my thumb down the scar on his forehead. "Go ahead. Read it."
Jack turned his head back to the bright screen and began to read. He whispered a few lines as he read.

"... information you have requested ... September 2, 2016..."

"... same sex marriage is indeed legal and binding in the State of California..." I heard a sudden intake of breath. Jack turned his head and looked at me, his mouth open slightly, his eyes softer.

"... Marriage is legal and valid... requests your name be removed from the employer sponsorship..."

"... Once the marriage is valid, Mr. McLoughlin... apply for permanent residence ... obtain a Green Card..." Jack covered his mouth with his hand.

"... attend several interviews ... Mr. McLoughlin currently resides with you... residential interviews would be held at that residence on two separate occasions..." Jack looked at me again, his eyes shining with tears.

"... If the marriage takes place in Ireland... Ireland? Oh my god, Mark... What...? I... WHAT? " Tears were streaming down his face now. I was smiling, and I could feel my face flush. I waited a minute while he composed himself and read the email again, trying to make sense of everything he just read.

"This says 'information you requested on September 2nd'. But, you have been avoiding any talk about marriage, Mark! You have been planning this for over a month?"

I nodded. "I was planning on taking care of a lot of things myself. I was also thinking about taking you on a surprise trip home to Ireland, and having a ceremony there, but I needed information on how to go about this stuff, and I didn't know if you would want that. It gets complicated because you aren't a U.S. citizen. I needed information before I..."

I couldn't finish my sentence because Jack's lips were smashed against mine. He jumped out of his chair, knocking it over in the process. He was kissing me with an amazing amount of depth and passion, and every fear and worry I had about him finding out about my plan was dissolved immediately.

"Mark..." he whispered after pulling away from the kiss, "Why did I ever doubt you, my angel?"