"okay, they're almost here" Ianto turned to Rhys, "you ready?"
He took a deep breath and nodded, "yep. God my hands are sweating"
"You'll be fine! It all looks perfect she's going to love it" Ianto smiled, "now we'll all hide in the back and wait for the right moment to come out and congratulate you both! And then we'll get the cocktails flowing!"
Rhys smiled gratefully at him, "Thank you so much for this, letting me and Jack plan it all in your restaurant"
"Oh its nothing" Ianto waved a hand dismissively, "just enjoy the moment. Now quick, everyone they're nearly here so lets get in position" he called to the crowd of Gwen's friends and family who had gathered for the proposal party.
"Jack are you sure you booked in with Ianto? It looks closed" Gwen raised an eyebrow, tottering up to the door in her heels. Jack had insisted on them having a fancy night out in Ianto's restaurant as she'd never eaten there and they never got to dress up anymore. She had agreed readily, any excuse to go out in her favourite red dress and pointed stilettos.
"Yeah he's just trying a new lighting technique, I'm sure you'll love it" Jack winked, holding the door open for her to walk in,
"Jack what's going…. on?" Gwen paused as she took in the sight before her.
The room was filled with lilies, her favourite flower, and tiny candles flickering on every surface bathed the room in a soft, romantic glow. Over the sound system "You do something to me" was playing softly, her favourite romantic song that she and Rhys always danced to in the living room. The tables had been moved to the edges of the room to create a trail of white rose petals to the centre where Rhys stood, the shy smile that she loved so dearly on his face. Gwen beamed and stepped towards him, tears pooling in her eyes as she realised what was happening.
"Gwen Cooper, you are the most amazing woman I've ever known. I count myself lucky every day to come home to you, and I want to do it every day for the rest of our lives. You know words aren't my strong suit, but the bottom line is I love you with everything I am" he dropped to his knee and produced the ring from his pocket, "Will you marry me?"
"Of course I will!" she shrieked happily, as she grabbed Rhys's hands and pulled him up into an embrace. He lifted her off her feet and kissed her hard on the lips, grinning. As he lowered her back down to the ground to place the ring gently on her finger, the guests who had been hiding around the restaurant burst into applause.
"Oh my God!" Gwen giggled, wiping her eyes, looking wide eyed around the room before settling her gaze on her new fiancé "You planned all this?"
"Well I may have had some help" Rhys grinned, nodding behind her to where Jack stood, shrugging modestly,
Gwen turned to her friend "Thank you, this couldn't have been more perfect"
"Congratulations honey" Jack beamed, enveloping her in a hug "I'm so happy for you both"
He released her to shake Rhys' hand, "You nailed it!" he clapped him on the back with a chuckle
Rhys laughed "Couldn't have done it without you"
"Ah I just helped with the extras, the proposal was all you"
They both watched fondly as Gwen gushed over the ring with her mother. She was flushed with emotion, her face bright and eyes glistening in the candlelight. She had never looked more beautiful to either of them,
"I'm the luckiest guy in the world aren't I" Rhys smiled, unable to take his eyes off her,
"Certainly one of them" Jack agreed, his gaze shifting from the blushing bride to where Ianto was stood, sorting trays of champagne for the guests. Ianto seemed to feel his eyes on him and looked over, smiling broadly at his boyfriend. Jack's heart leapt at the sight, and he knew, as he had for a while now, that there would be no one else in the whole world, the whole universe, that would replace this man in his life.
X-X-X
The party was a huge success, meticulously planned out to serve all of Gwen and Rhys' favourite things, the music romantic and upbeat so people could dance and mingle with the happy couple. Ianto looked on fondly as Jack flirted outrageously with Gwen's mother, who had clearly had a few with the way she was giggling at him rather than being scandalised.
"These signature cocktails are incredible but they don't half pack a punch" Gwen giggled, swaying over to where Ianto sat, leaning up against the bar in a well earned break,
"Hey there, Mrs Williams to be" Ianto smiled, patting the stool next to him, which she took gratefully, having forgotten how uncomfy her favourite heels were after a few dances.
"Ianto thank you so much for this! Your restaurant is so beautiful, and now it'll always be one of my favourite places in the world"
"Well you and Rhys are welcome here any time, just say the word and the most romantic table in the house is all yours"
Gwen grinned, leaning into his side and resting her head on his shoulder,
"I'm so happy Jack met you, love" Gwen sighed happily, "I got another best gay friend and he got the love of his life"
Ianto beamed, "I'm so grateful to have met you and Rhys, you're perfect together"
"I think so too" she giggled, waving her left hand out in front of her elegantly, "and now he's mine forever"
"yep, he liked it so he put a ring on it" Ianto winked, then cringed, "Jesus did I say that out loud"
"You did" Gwen smirked, "but I'm probably tipsy enough to be able to forget it"
"I certainly hope so" Ianto said, rising off the stool to head behind the bar, "and in the spirit of that shall I make you another cocktail?"
"ooh I wont say no" Gwen nodded, sliding her empty glass towards him,
"neither will I" Jack piped up as he wandered over "not to anything you're offering, Yan" he added with a cheeky wink, leering at Ianto over the bar,
Ianto rolled his eyes, "at the moment just a cocktail, but if you behave and keep your hands off Gwen's mam we'll see later"
"Yes Sir" Jack saluted seriously, standing to full attention as Gwen shrieked in delighted laughter, clapping gleefully,
"oh, Ianto I love you, anyone who can keep Jack in line is clearly a genius"
Jack poked his tongue out at her childishly, "shush you, run off and find your fiancé"
Gwen beamed, "I can't believe I'm engaged!"
"So happy for you, sweetie" Jack wrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead, "now go enjoy your night"
She took the glass Ianto offered her gleefully and tottered off, flinging herself into Rhys's arms. Jack laughed fondly before turning back to Ianto, accepting the cocktail from him and holding it up in a toast,
"to a perfect proposal"
Ianto clinked his own glass against Jack's "You really did nail it, Jack. Look how happy they are"
"I know" Jack smiled, "couldn't have done it without you though"
"we make quite a team" Ianto grinned, leaning across the bar to capture Jack's lips. As Jack cupped his cheek to return the kiss, he couldn't help thinking how full his life was of love and happiness. His best friend was engaged to her soulmate, and he had this wonderful Welshman to call his own. Surely life couldn't get any better than this. He could only imagine what the future could hold for them all. Of course, he thought before his mind was completely consumed by Ianto's talented mouth, months of meticulous wedding planning came to mind...