Chapter 46

Simon

Before I know it, it's time to fly to New York for Penny's wedding. The last six months flew by, and Penny didn't lose it again thanks to Agatha organising pretty much everything before she left London, and Micah who skyped her every single day.

Penny flew out last week with her family. It was complete mayhem at the airport because her brothers and sisters fought over who got the window seat and who's sharing hotel rooms with whom before they even left.

Penny and I said our goodbyes at the flat, because I'm moving out at the same time.

"Bye flatmate." I said as she was leaving.

"Bye flatmate." She said to back to me. And then we hugged a little and cried a lot because as much as I'm happy for her to finally be marrying Micah, and for me to be moving in with Baz, I'm still a little sad that we'll no longer be living together. Penny's the best flatmate I could ever have, even if she's a terrible grump in the morning and can't cook to save her life.

-oOo-

Baz and I are on our way to the airport. We're in the back of his father's fancy-arsed Jaguar, being driven to the airport. I have no idea why his dad offered to drive us but I'm not complaining, it's more comfortable than the tube and Baz wouldn't let me fly us there.

We're taking a separate flight to Penny and her family. At first I didn't understand why Baz was so insistent – an extra week in New York would have been brilliant. But after watching Penny's family squabble at the airport, I get it. We're going to have a peaceful flight by comparison.

It's the first time flying for me – in a plane that is, so I'm a little nervous.

"Did you pack my suit?" I ask, turning to face Baz.

"You've already asked me that." he drawls. "Twice."

"All right, but did you?"

"Yes, Snow." He says, rolling his eyes at me and smiling easily at the same time.

"It's Simon." I remind him.

"Yes Simon."

"And my tie? And my new shoes?" I ask again.

"Yes Simon."

"Okay, thanks Baz." I sit back and enjoy the ride. Then I sit up with a start. "The present!"

"I have it." Baz says, smirking just a little bit.

I didn't know what to get Penny and Micah for their wedding, but Daphne suggested a new duvet set. I thought it was a brilliant idea because Penny's was getting a bit ratty and I knew she wanted a new one once they were married. So I checked with Penny's mum and she confirmed that neither her nor Micah's family were buying her that, and Daphne helped me pick something out. Baz and I set up her bed after she left London so it's all ready for when they get back. I put a card on top– I thought of that and I was quite chuffed with how it all turned out.

We have something small to give them on the day too. It's a copy of their entry to the magickal marriage rite book framed in a pretty silver frame, that was Baz's idea. I hope they like it.

Then I moved my stuff out of the apartment and moved it into Baz's flat ready for when we return from America. Baz keeps reminding me that it's our flat now, not his. I'm still getting used to saying that because it was his flat for years, and it's so fucking fancy and modern that it doesn't look like anything I ever thought I'd live in. His parents had someone strip it and kit it out with brand new stuff as a graduation present before he moved in, or maybe it was because he helped save the entire realm, or most likely because Fiona trashed it while she lived there.

The flat has this modern kitchen with fancy appliances that I think would even impress Alex, and the bathroom is a lot bigger than my old one with this big double shower which is really handy for my wings, and for, you know, me and Baz. And the bedroom is bigger than my old one and Baz even has a bigger bed, which is also good for my wings. At least they don't knock anything over at night anymore. Even the spare bedroom is bigger than my old room. Daphne set up it up as a study but I don't think Baz has ever studied in there, he usually studied at my flat. I guess we'll start using it now, or the kitchen table.

I left all my cooking stuff that I've inherited or bought over the years with Penny because she doesn't have any, and because Baz bought a whole set of new pots and pans and these really fancy knives from Germany that Alex said are the best. I even left my bed for when Penny has visitors because I'm sure that Micah's family and friends are going to be regular visitors. I didn't need to pack anything other than my clothes and books and art stuff because Baz's flat (our flat) is fully decked out. He's got everything.

Baz's dad drops us at international departures and gets out of the car to help us with our bags. There's not much, just two suitcases and two suit bags. Even though Baz isn't in the wedding party he still packed a couple of suits. Actually I think he packed three. He packed a second one for me too, then added a third.

"Why do I need that?" I asked when he started packing.

"Pre-wedding dinner." He said.

"Can't I wear the same one as the wedding?"

He didn't bother answering.

"And what about the other one?"

"Stag night– or bachelor party as they call it there."

"I thought Micah had that already?" I asked. I organised a hen's night for Penny before she left, with Alex, Olivia, Vicki and even Zoe came along. But because I was there, Marco, Kiaan and Baz all decided to come so it turned into a sort of hens and stag night combined, only without the stag. It was a lot of fun but not really a normal hen's night, but then again we're not really normal, or Normal. Either way she's having another one in New York with Agatha and a few of Micah's sisters and cousins and other girls I don't know. I think Micah's sisters are organising a stripper for that one. She wouldn't let me.

Micah also had a stag night last week before Penny arrived, which was probably a good idea, but since Baz and I weren't there yet and Joshua hadn't arrived yet either he's decided to have another one. Penny thinks he's had a few more in between but we're not too sure. Kiaan said he should have as many as he can before he gets married because he sure as hell won't be able to once he's married. Vicki gave him a stern look then so he said that Micah won't want to either, because he'll love being married so much the thought won't ever cross his mind. He was definitely taking the piss.

Baz's dad hands Baz a credit card just before he leaves. "Just in case you need it Basil." He says, and then he says goodbye and shakes Baz's hand and pats his other arm and then shakes my hand. "Enjoy yourselves." He says to both of us. I nod silently at him. He still looks as scary as hell to me, even though he seems to have accepted us, finally.

I'm pretty chuffed that I get to use my passport for the first time, but that wears off fairly quick because the flight is so long. And I'm a bit nervous on the flight so I hold my wand in one hand and Baz's hand in the other for the entire flight. I watch a few movies to pass the time and Baz spent most of the time reading more magic books, including the one I bought him for Christmas. He's currently reading 1001 Spells You Must Learn Before You Die, and before that he was reading something called Shakespearian Spells Throughout the Ages. I swear that's all he's been doing lately, he must know every spell ever created by now.

Baz doesn't eat anything on the plane so I eat my meal as well as his, more to pass the time than anything. (I don't know exactly what it is, but it's edible enough so I scoff it down.) He hunted right before we left, at Oxford, and he's been texting Micah over the last week so he knows exactly where to hunt while we're there, and we're only going to be there a week so it should be fine. Oh, and then we're off to Paris for another week.

That was Baz's idea, and when I said I couldn't get the time off work he said he'd already checked with Alex and she'd already said yes. Obviously those two have been planning this behind my back and not only playing the violin when they get together.

It's just getting dark by the time we arrive and we're tired from the flight so we head straight to the hotel. We're staying at the same hotel as the Bunces, and Penny and Agatha and Josh. Penny insisted, she said it will make everything easier for all of the wedding engagements. Nobody argued with her.

I walk into our room behind Baz, and after Baz tips the porter I kick the door closed. I kick off my shoes and take a look at the view from the windows as I strip off to have a shower. Baz unpacks all of our things with magic and then magicks them neatly into drawers and wardrobes. By the time I'm out of the shower he's unpacked everything and is checking the view while on the phone to Penny.

He turns to face me. "We're meeting Wellbelove and Bunce in the lobby at seven." he informs me. "We're invited for dinner at Micah's."

"Oh okay." I say as he kisses me on the way to the shower.

I lay on the bed for a minute and flick through the TV channels and then I must fall asleep because I wake to Baz calling my name.

"Simon." he whispers.

"Mmmm."

"Time to get ready for dinner." He says. "It's late."

I open my eyes and see Baz showered and fully dressed casually in jeans and a shirt and dark blue jacket. He looks so handsome and smart, as usual.

I get into my jeans and shirt and grab a jacket that Baz packed for me,,and then we head down to the lobby to meet everyone.

Micah's family is big, really big, and they're all huggers. They all know about me, being Penny's best friend and the Chosen One, so they're all gawking at me and it takes ages to get through all of their questions. Eventually Micah steers the conversation into another direction and I'm grateful.

By the time dinner's finished I'm exhausted so we call it a night. Tomorrow is Micah's second (third?) bachelor party so we need to get a bit of sleep. We get dropped off at the hotel and I drag Baz into bed and kiss him senseless until I fall asleep. I wake briefly in the night to find he's gone. I assume he's gone to hunt so I go back to sleep and when I wake again he's back and I pull him closer. He feels warmer.

"Baz?"

"Mmmm?"

"You hunted?"

"Yes." He says. His lips are against my ear and his breath is tickling my skin.

"Where?"

"Central Park."

"Really?"

"Yes, it's very big and full of squirrels." He murmurs.

"Oh okay." I say. I don't say that I know the park is also full of rats and mice. I know he was sick to death of rats at Watford. He'd prefer the deer at Oxford any day, but we're only here for one week so he's probably going to make do.

"Baz?"

"Yes love?"

"Have you ever had sex in America?"

"Not yet." He whispers, lightly pressing his lips against my throat. "But I think we should, right now." And then his mouth is on mine and I pull him closer to me and we do, in the dark, forty floors above New York City.

Baz

Micah takes us and Josh sightseeing around New York and I watch how Simon is wide eyed and excited at seeing the more well-known sights. He's also shit scared of getting lost so he doesn't let go of my hand. In one morning we've managed to climb the Statue of Liberty, take the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building and take a long walk through Central Park. Now Micah's decided we need to try a classic New York style burger for lunch before more heading out to the Museum of Modern Art for the afternoon.

By the time we make it to the bachelor party I'm feeling very comfortable here. Simon isn't, he's still afraid of getting lost.

"You have magic, you can use that to get back to our hotel." I remind him. "Or your mobile."

"Oh yeah, right Baz." But he still won't let go of my hand. I don't mind.

The bachelor party is, as expected, an evening of drinking and feeble attempts at debauchery by Micah's all too pleasant college friends and cousins. We head to our first bar that's big and impressive and is crowded with after work New Yorkers. We chat and have a few drinks and I count at least three women trying to hit on my fiancé, so I'm relieved when we leave the bar. We have dinner in a pleasant restaurant before heading to the next venue– a strip club. How cliché.

Micah looks as uncomfortable as ever as his friends sit him front and centre while two scantily clad women dance around him and I think to myself how much Dev and Niall would enjoy this evening. I must remember to tell them when we return.

The boys have finally had enough of the strip club and we end the night in a nightclub where they hit the bar and knock back more drinks. Simon, Josh and one of Micah's friends are in a deep conversation about football versus American football and who owns the name football, which is ridiculous because everyone knows it's English. I think about taking Simon onto the dance floor and holding him close and kissing him like we did on New Year's Eve, but this isn't that type of club.

Micah wraps his arm sloppily around Simon's shoulder and thanks him endlessly for looking after Penny this last year.

"I don't know how she would have made it through without you Simon." He slurs as he leans into Simon, who is holding him up. "You're a good friend. The best."

"She was fine, it was no problem Micah." Simon says smiling.

"No, honestly Simon, I thought I was going to have to get on a plane myself and sort out the shoes, or the flowers, or shoes with flowers or whatever, and I don't have a fucking clue about any of that." He gushes, shaking his head.

"Neither do I." I hear Simon mumble.

Then Micah reminds Simon that he has to spend the day with the girls tomorrow for some final pre-wedding preparations, so Josh suggests that he and I head out sightseeing. I tell him I was planning to visit the Museum of Natural History, trying to deter him, but he says yeah cool so I'm stuck with him. By the time everyone decides to call it a night Simon is exhausted and Micah isn't coherent so we make our goodbyes and head off.

Josh and I head off early and take in more of the sights. We spend most of the morning wandering through the museum and then decide to have lunch in a small burger café. Josh orders a burger and fries. (Crowley, that's all everyone seems to eat around here.) I order a pumpkin mocha breve, which is surprisingly good.

"So." Josh starts between mouthfuls. "What are the job prospects like for mages in the UK?" he asks.

This is interesting. I wonder what Wellbelove makes of his enquiries. Why would he care about careers in the UK if Wellbelove is planning to stay as far away from England as she possibly can.

"Are you planning on moving?" I question, looking at him.

"No." he says quickly. "Well, not yet anyway. It depends on Agatha I guess."

"Is she planning on returning?" I enquire. "And are you two that serious?"

"Serious enough." He says. "I like her a lot. And no, she's not planning on returning, at least not yet, I don't think."

"So why the enquiry?" I push.

He thinks for a minute before he speaks. "After everything that happened with Simon last year, she's been talking about home a lot more, like, she doesn't hate it so much." He says, finishing his burger. "And I know she misses home, and Penny and Simon. And even you Baz."

I hold back a snort, she may miss Simon, and she definitely misses Bunce but I don't think Wellbelove misses me at all. Not that I care.

"And I like magic and you're all so much more organised over there, you have your own school and you even have a coven." He goes on. "So. Jobs?"

I think about his question before I answer. "There's more on offer back home than here, I suppose. At Watford for instance." I say. "Most mages tend to combine a Normal career with a magickal one if possible." I finish.

"Cool." He says, pondering this. "But I haven't discussed any of this with her yet, so please don't say anything." He says to me, looking worried.

"I won't."

"Swear?" He asks, and I wonder if he wants me to swear with magic but he doesn't say anything else.

"Yes of course." I answer, and he smiles in relief. We finish our lunch in relaxed silence after that.

After lunch we head down 5th Avenue and visit a few shops before I tell him I need to stop off somewhere and we can meet later.

"I'll come with you." He says, smiling amicably.

"I'd prefer if you didn't actually." I try to say it pleasantly, but I don't think I pull it off.

"Whatever you're up to I won't tell Simon, or anyone." He says knowingly.

And I want to deter him again but I can't think of a good enough excuse. Instead I look from side to side to make sure we're alone. "Swear it?" I say when I confirm the coast is clear. I raise my wand between us. "With magic."

He looks at my wand, unsure. I try not to roll my eyes, "It's an oath, a magical oath." I explain.

"Oh, okay." He says as he raises his hand.

"You will not tell anyone about the next purchase I make." I say. He nods. "An Englishman's word is his bond!" I say, then I tap our joined hands with my wand. Lucky he's English.

"Your magic burns." He says, rubbing his wrist.

I shrug. "Runs in the family."

So he comes with me to Tiffany & Co. where after a long time deliberating, I finally pick out a platinum wedding band for Simon.

By the time Josh and I return to the hotel he's exhausted and I'm feeling nervous and excited at the silver band in the small blue box in my pocket.

"How was your day?" Simon asks me as I enter our room, he's sitting up on the bed watching TV.

"Good, Normal." I joke, how was yours.

"Ugh." He groans, "Penny made me spend the entire day with her and Agatha and Micah's sister and Priya. They had their nails done and I had to sit and watch until they made me get a manicure, which was all right I suppose, but it took forever. And then we had lunch, which was actually really good, but then they went to get a pedicure. I said no way but they made me get one too. It kind of tickled."

"The sacrifice we make as Man of Honour." I say, trying not to laugh as I climb onto the bed next to him. I take his hand and kiss each one of his knuckles, then turn to face him directly. He leans towards me for a quick kiss. "How's your speech?"

"All done." He says confidently. "I think I've got this." he nods.

Both of our mobiles beep then and I check mine. It's Penny:

Be downstairs at 7.30pm DON'T BE LATE OR I SWEAR I WILL SPELL YOU BOTH INTO THIN AIR!

We make it on time.

The pre-wedding dinner drags along predictably, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and Simon looks stunning in his suit. When it's time to make the speeches, Penny and Micah thank their families and the Best Man says a few words about Micah and absent guests, and when it's Simon's turn he nervously grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze before he stands.

"Um, I'm Simon Snow, as you know, and um I've known Penny ever since she felt sorry for me on our first day at school and announced there and then that we should be friends. I agreed with her then and I've learned over the years that it's best to just agree with her about everything, because she's usually right."

"Penny's saved my arse – er sorry, my butt more times than I care to remember, and I love her like a sister, and I'd never let anyone marry her who wasn't worthy. I've known Micah now for quite a few years and I can honestly say that you are Micah– worthy that is, so now she can spend the rest of her life saving your butt instead of mine."

"To Penny and Micah." He finishes and raises his glass in a toast.

Micah lets out a big laugh, and both of their respective families smile as Simon sits down, Penny leans into him and whispers, "You still need me to save your arse Simon."

"Yeah, probably." Simon says, grinning widely at her. Then Micah shakes Simon's hand and Simon eyes are shiny and I have to fight the urge to wipe the tears from his eyes. Instead he does it himself and I drop my hand.

"Lovely speech." I whisper to him, squeezing his hand.

"Yeah? Thanks." He says as he lets out a big breath. He squeezes my hand back.

Simon

The phone rings at exactly seven o'clock in the morning and I groan as Baz hands me the receiver.

"It's for you." He says.

"Get up now Simon, we have a tight schedule today and you cannot be late!" Penny shrieks into my ear.

"I won't be late Penny." I mumble. "Why do we have to get up so early anyway, the wedding's not until three this afternoon?"

"Refer to your schedule." She snaps. "Put Baz back on please."

I hand the receiver to Baz.

"Make sure you follow the schedule to the letter Baz or so help me–" I can hear her squawking into the receiver from where I lie.

"All right Bunce, keep your shirt on." Baz says, cutting her off. "We'll be there." He says hanging up the phone.

"Where?"

"Breakfast from eight until nine, followed by hmm . . ." He says, pulling a piece of paper from the bedside table, "Shower, then meet in the lobby at nine forty five for your hair appointment." He snorts. "I'm glad it's you and not me." He says, shaking his head.

"It still doesn't make sense why we have to get up so early." I mumble as we head downstairs for breakfast.

"Refer to Bunce's schedule." He smirks, taking my hand as we walk. We meet Penny's family and Agatha and Joshua and a beaming Penny in the restaurant for our scheduled breakfast.

"All right Penny?" I ask her.

"Yeah Simon, but I'm a little nervous." She says.

"You got this Pen." I say, squeezing her hand, she squeezes back.

"Thanks."

We spend an excruciating two hours at the hairdresser – which is a complete waste of time for me because all they have to do is wash mine, while they mess around with the girls for ages.

"I could have done this myself." I mumble to whoever's listening.

"Your part of this wedding party." Agatha reminds me. "You have to participate."

"Yeah yeah. What's next Penny?"

"Refer to your schedule." She says determinedly.

"I left it with Baz." I say, and then immediately regret it.

"What! Why?" she demands.

"Um, seemed safer?"

"Honestly Simon." and she emails me another one which I make a point of reading in front of her.

"Lunch." I say smiling. "I'm good with that."

After lunch we head back to the hotel and I'm finally allowed an hour back in my room while they get their makeup or something done. All I know is I had to get up outrageously early and all I've done so far is get my hair washed.

"Be dressed and in the lobby at half past one sharp." She reminds me as she leaves me at my door. Then she turns to Baz, "Half past one exactly Baz! And don't mess up his hair!" She yells.

We make it on time, I wouldn't dare be late or Penny would probably kill me, or curse me. After a bunch of photos, Baz (who looks incredible in his new suit) and Josh leave us at the hotel and we make our way in these fancy wedding cars to the Church. I feel a pang of guilt that Baz won't be in the church with us but I know there's no way he can enter the church without being in excruciating pain at the very least, or dying in a ball of fire at the worst, so I have to let it go. He seems fine with it and it is Penny's day after all.

I've never been in a wedding before, Merlin I've never even been to a wedding so I'm not sure what to expect, but as the music starts and we walk up the aisle with all of Penny's and Micah's family and friends on either side of us, I'm overwhelmed by the joyfulness of it all. That's the only way I can describe it. All of these people have come to see my best friend marry the love of her life and I'm so proud and happy that I can't stop grinning.

Penny looks lovely in her dress. And she spelled her hair silver again, with pale almost ice blue highlights to match the bridesmaid's dresses. Baz matched my tie to the groomsmen and the pocket square perfectly with the bridesmaid's dresses, so we all look quiet smashing.

The wedding party is big, really big. There are four groomsmen and four of us and then Penny's sister Pip became upset that she wasn't in the wedding so at the last minute Pip and Micah's niece became impromptu flower girls. It takes ages for us to all to make it up the aisle and the bride and groom to finally meet at the altar.

And the ceremony is lovely, and everyone laughs when I pretend I can't find Micah's ring. (That Penny only entrusted to me outside the church.) Well, everyone except Penny that is, she narrows her eyes at me and I decide really fast that now's not the time to joke around.

I'm the first to congratulate Penny, I hug her as soon as they finish kissing and are pronounced husband and wife, and then I congratulate Micah and he gives me a big bear hug which squeezes the air out from my lungs – for a small bloke he's surprisingly strong. Then it takes ages to leave the church because Penny and Micah have to stop at practically every aisle to be congratulated by family and friend and pose for photos for them all.

When we finally make it outside I look around for Baz. I find him near the road, leaning against one of the wedding cars staring at his mobile. He comes over and congratulates the newlyweds and I take his hand.

"I'm sorry you had to miss this." I say, and I am, really sorry. He's come all this way and couldn't be in there with us.

"I didn't." he says smiling.

"What?" I ask, confused. "You couldn't come inside?"

"Nope, watched it live, thanks to Micah's glasses cam." He shows me his mobile and there's a live stream coming directly from a small camera on Micah's glasses. "Micah's idea." He says and I shake my head in wonder. That Micah thinks of everything.

We've finally made it to the reception after what felt like hours having a bunch of photos taken, first in front of the church, then at the gardens at the reception, and then inside the reception and I've had enough because I'm hungry, but no one else seems to be bothered so I try to stay quiet, only my growling stomach occasionally giving me away.

The guests are eating hors d'oeuvres and sipping champagne while they wait for us to enter, and I'm looking at the food longingly until I finally manage to snag a small something when the waiter heads past us with another full tray. Baz brings some more over to me, he must see me eyeing the food.

"Thanks," I say. "I thought I was going to starve."

"You won't starve Snow." He says, chuckling softly to himself. He looks me up and down pointedly. "Have I told you that you look rather stunning in that suit?"

"No you haven't yet." I smile at him. "And so do you." I say.

"I know." Baz says. He looks smug, and like he's trying not to smile. And he means it too – my vampire fiancé is such a smug git sometimes.

The reception goes off without a hitch, thankfully, or Penny would probably have spelled someone into the ground. The food is excellent "Thanks to Alex and Marco's advice." Penny leans over and says to me while we eat. And she doesn't complain about the table settings so they must be okay. By the time I have to make my second speech I'm fairly relaxed. I stand up and take a breath.

"Hi everyone. My name is Simon Snow and for those of you who don't know, Penny and I have been best friends since we were eleven. First I want to say how much I love Penny, she's the best friend I could possibly have because she's always had my back, like, she's always been there for me. Probably a lot more than I've been there for her actually." I think about that for a bit, because it really is true. And then realise everyone is waiting for me to keep going.

"And she's really smart too, I wouldn't have even made it through school without her. She wasted half her time tutoring me, and the other half getting me out of a few too many scrapes. And when Micah and Penny started dating I couldn't be happier for her, because Micah's perfect for Penny in every way. He has this sort of sixth sense about her, so he knows when to stay close and when to steer as far away as possible. That took me a lot longer to learn and I saw her every day, so he's obviously really smart . . . almost as smart as her."

I stop and pick up my glass. "So I'd like to make a toast, to Penny my best friend, and former flatmate, and Micah, the only bloke worthy of her."

Everyone raises their glasses and toast the happy couple, and I look at Baz then, who's staring back at me with so much love that I want to climb across the tables and pin him down and kiss him like mental. I decide to sit down instead.

Mr Bunce makes a speech and he manages to embarrass Penny a little with some stories from when she was little. Then Penny's mum joins him, probably to stop him waffling on, and she says a few words about Micah's lovely family and how they are so happy to welcome Micah into their family and by the end everyone is shedding a tear or two.

As soon as Penny and Micah finish dancing Micah's big family almost all get up at once and swarm the dance floor. The bridal party hits the dance floor too, so I dance with Agatha, and then Priya and then Micah's sister before I finally get a dance with Penny.

"Some wedding Pen." I say. "Congratulations again. You really do look lovely."

"Yeah?" She says beaming. "Thanks Simon, and that was a splendid speech by the way."

"Thanks." And then Baz comes and whisks Penny away from me for a dance.

It seem like ages before I finally get to spend some time with Baz, we're leaning on the bar watching everyone on the dance floor. I'm touching his leather and steel bracelet absently, it looks so good on him. Priya is dancing with Mr Bunce, and Mrs Bunce is dancing with Micah. Penny is dancing with Micah's dad and the flower girls are sliding across the dance floor on their dresses, which aren't so white anymore.

"Good speech Snow." Baz says to me, knocking my shoulder with his.

"Yeah thanks." I say, leaning in close.

"I would love to dance with you right now." He whispers into my ear.

"Me too." I say, "Maybe later, at our hotel?"

His eyes go wide for a second, I don't normally offer to dance with him, like ever really. "It's a date." He whispers, his lips touch my ear briefly, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

Penny and Micah leave at midnight as the wedding winds down. Everyone waves them off and I manage to get in another quick hug before they jump into the car.

"Bye Penny, I'll see you soon." I say, hugging her tight "Have a good honeymoon."

"I will," she says still hugging me back. "Bye Simon, don't get into any trouble while I'm gone."

"I won't I promise."

Baz and I head back to our room and as we pass Penny and Micah's door he stops for a moment, smiling as he looks at his mobile.

"I wonder if I should tell Micah to turn off that glasses cam yet?" He muses, showing me the app.

My eyes widen in shock and then I laugh out loud. "Baz you have to!"

So he phones Micah and texts Penny and Micah at once and leaves a message to turn off the cam right now and I can't help laughing when I hear Micah shout "Fuck!" from the other side of the door as Baz deletes the app. Baz drags me to our room whispering "I might need to borrow that cam from Micah sometime." His eyes are twinkling mischievously and I blush so hard I can feel my ears turning red.

-oOo-

We have five more days in New York and we spend every day out sightseeing and every night in our hotel bed together, having the most incredible sex until the early hours of the morning, and sometimes again when Baz returns from hunting. I swear I'm going to have to go home for a rest.

We go to a Yankees game with Agatha and Josh before they leave, which is brilliant even though I don't understand the rules at all. Josh tries to explain it, and then Baz tries to explain it and then they both give up and buy me more hot dogs and beer.

I take Baz on a night flight over New York one night. I feel a lot more confident with finding my way around now and it's even easier from the air because I can see everything. He doesn't want to at first, but I went the night before and it was the most incredible sight and I couldn't stop talking about the view from the air so he finally relents. He uses the sticking spell because he's still scared shitless of my flying, and spells us invisible. We fly along the Hudson around Manhattan Island and Central Park and even under the Brooklyn Bridge and I decide right there and then that I'm going to fly over every single place I ever visit because this is the sort of sight seeing that shits on every single scenic flight in existence.

-oOo-

It's our last night tonight, and Baz says I need to dress up so we're kitted up in our best suits (Not the wedding suit he reminds me again.) and we're heading out to some fancy restaurant for dinner.

"Is this our third date?" I ask him as we enter the fanciest, biggest restaurant I've ever seen.

"Do you want it to be?" He asks.

"Yeah, why not." I shrug. "It's been a while since we had a date." He's smiling as we walk to our table.

Dinner is spectacular and I'm finishing his dessert when I notice he's staring at me.

"What?" I ask, taking my last mouthful of the best dark chocolate mousse I've ever tasted.

He hesitates for the slightest moment. "Simon." He says.

"Yes."

"I want to plan our wedding now." He says, staring unblinking at me.

I stop eating and look at him, a slow smile growing on my face. "Really?" I ask. Because now that Penny's wedding is over I want to marry Baz, like, right now if I could.

"Yes." He says, and he looks a little nervous. I wonder why because we're already fiancés so it's not as if I'm going to say no.

"So do I." I say immediately, "Let's do it."

His shoulders relax and he smiles as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small blue box. It says 'Tiffany & Co.' on it. I watch at him as he slides it across the table towards me. My eyes flick down to the box and I take it and hold it nervously, looking at it and then up at him.

"Open it." He says quietly.

I do, and inside is a plain silver band. I stare at it, unmoving. It's the prettiest thing I've ever seen, except for Baz that is. He takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. I look at my hand and then at him.

"I love you Simon, so much." He says softly, and his eyes are ablaze with so much love that they're dazzling.

"I love you Baz." I say back. "And I can't wait to marry you."

Then he grins wide as he arches one eyebrow. "Three months?" he asks.

"Can we organise it in two?" I say, and I can't take my eyes off him, he's so breathtakingly beautiful.

He laughs loudly then, and I decide it's one of my favourite sounds in the entire world. "Let's see what we can do." he says. "We'll talk with Daphne when we get back."

-oOo-

We're spending a week in Paris, which is even better than the week in New York, (except for Penny's wedding of course) and now I have another stamp in my passport. We're in the loveliest hotel that's in the most elegant building I've ever seen. It has a lobby that looks as big as a football pitch and the room is the nicest room I've ever stayed in in my life.

"What about hunting?" I asked Baz when we first arrived.

"Paris has more rats than people." He said offhandedly. "They're everywhere if you know where to look."

I looked around on the ground then but I didn't see any but I suppose Baz finds them because he comes back to our very nice hotel every night warm and slightly flushed.

We've done so much sightseeing that I feel like we've walked the entire city, my favourite is the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre. I had no idea Paris was full of so much fucking art! We eat a lot of French food too, which is brilliant because I was a bit over all of the burgers and hot dogs. I'm really enjoying the crepes at the moment, and the ham and cheese baguettes are pretty good too, and the gallettes are to die for. And even though Baz has been here a bunch of times I manage to drag him through all the gift shops I find at the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe and I buy a bunch of souvenirs that Baz thinks are ridiculous.

"I need this snow dome." I tell him as we leave the Arc de Triomphe. "And we need these cups for tea, they're porcelain china and look, they have pretty pictures of Paris on them."

"And the throw cushion?" he queries. It has mini Eiffel Towers on it in blue grey and black.

"It will look great in our flat." I say. And with that he shuts up because I said our flat.

And then I take Baz to Rue de la Paix and take him to Tiffany & Co. and tell him to pick out a ring. He smiles at me and takes me to the counter and picks the exact same ring that he bought me. I want to put it on his finger straight away but they package it up and hand it to me all wrapped really nice so I don't take it out yet. Instead, that night, I fly us around Paris for our obligatory scenic flight and then we eat dinner in the nicest French restaurant I've ever seen and I fall in love with French food because everything is loaded with so much butter that I'm in heaven. It's not until after dinner, which was the most magnificent and buttery veal I've ever had, and a very nice wine – I think Baz said it was a Bordeaux, and the most incredible cherry pie for dessert that's creamy and custardy and had a name that I can't pronounce and is almost as good as the sour cherry scones from Watford, that I hand the box to Baz.

"I love you Baz." I say.

"I love you Simon." He says opening the box. "And I can't wait to be married to you." He mimics my words exactly.

"We could get married right here, in Paris?" I suggest as I take the ring out of the box and slide it onto Baz's finger. I could do that, I think to myself, I could marry him right now. Baz doesn't say anything straight away, he just stares at our two identical rings and then at me. I stare back, I can't do anything else.

"Daphne will never forgive us." He finally says. His voice is hoarse. "Nor will Mordelia."

"Oh yeah."

"And Penny."

"Oh right."

"And Fiona."

"Yeah okay." That's one person I don't want to piss off. Looks like I have to wait a few more months after all.