*Here we have the ultimate BROTP discussing Ethan and Leanne's future.
**Ethan also has a very important question to ask Jesse.

Chapter 18 - Mama Knows Best

The following day Ethan was surprised to see that it was Jesse who brought him his discharge papers, rather, he had been hoping (and expecting) that it would be Leanne. He knew the head nurse must have some reasoning for bursting his bubble. After all, Jesse didn't do anything he didn't want to. And he always had a reason, even it didn't make much sense to anyone else.

"You know Jesse," Ethan piped up as the man was disconnecting his wires from the machine silently, "as much as I love you, your's isn't the beautiful face I expected to see this early in the morning."

"Ha." Jesse's chuckle made Ethan raise an eyebrow, eyeing the man suspiciously as he finished with the machine behind him.

"But I figure you must have a good reason for this right?" Ethan moved his left arm around some, and it felt foreign to finally have the use of the other side of his body back.

"Always mi amigo." His comment made Ethan chuckle and he swung his legs around in front of him, letting them dangle off the edge of the bed. He stared down at his bare feet, one covered by a small brace, the other looking annoyingly pale. While he had been recovering from his infection, and the subsequent surgery that followed, his foot had healed rather nicely, and he was down to just a simple brace. No more boot. No more crutches. And Ethan was thankful for the slight return to normalcy this provided him.

"What's up Jesse?" His question was soft and he hung his head, praying he wasn't about to get a lashing from the other man.

"We need to talk about you and Leanne." Ethan's head popped up at his sentence, and he eyed Jesse's pointed finger curiously. "But first," He reached behind him and grabbed a bag off of the counter, "put some clothes on please. I'm tired of staring at your white ass in that damm gown."

Ethan howled and took the bag from Jesse before slowly making his way behind the small curtain on the other side of the room. He pulled it closed and emptied the contents of the bag onto the chair, letting his gown fall to the floor. "So what exactly do we need to talk about Jesse?" He asked his question as he pulled his boxers on, followed by his t-shirt. He had never been so thankful for real clothes in his entire life and he let out a sigh of contentment.

"That box you've been carrying around in your pocket for the last month for starters." Ethan shook his head at the nurse's words and pulled his sweatpants up slowly. He dug his hands into his pockets as he slid his feet into the pair of flip-flops Jesse had provided and he let out a breath when he felt something in the right pocket.

"You mean this box?" He asked, pushing the curtain back to reveal himself, the ring box in his outstretched hand, a goofy smile on his face.

"Now how did that get in there?" Jesse asked playfully, motioning for Ethan to move closer. "That's interesting."

"Interesting my ass." Ethan coughed out. "What are you schemers planning?"

"Nothing." Jesse held his hands up defensively in front of him. "I just thought you should have it handy from now on."

Ethan chuckled and shook his head back and forth. He couldn't believe these fools. Actually, he could, and that was the even scarier part. He could believe them. He could easily believe that they would do something this silly. "Jesse…"

"Yes Ethan?" Jesse's voice was light and there was a humor in his eyes that made Ethan chuckle again.

"I have something I need to ask you." Ethan laughed when he saw Jesse's face turn from excited to confused.

"I love you and all man, but I am not marrying you." Jesse's comment did it in for Ethan and he doubled over in laughter, his good hand going to his stomach as he pocketed the ring box with the other.

"I love you too Jesse," He huffed out in between fits of laughter, "but that wasn't my question."

"Oh okay," Jesse cupped his hands in front of him and waited, "continue then please."

"Jesse," Ethan reached out and clapped the man on the shoulder, offering him a soft yet sincere smile, "I was going to ask for your permission to ask Leanne to marry me."

Jesse's face lit up and tears pricked his eyes as he shook his head up and down, nodding his approval to the other man. "I would be delighted." He offered, and his heart fluttered in his chest at the thought that this was really happening. Sure, they had all known it was coming. For over a month the Army doctor had been walking around with a dreamy look in his eyes and that damn ring in his possession. They had all waited with bated breath and every time their phones rang they were on pins and needles. It was coming, they just didn't know when, but this, this moment right here, this meant it was really happening.

Ethan let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He had suspected that Jesse would say 'yes', he didn't know why he wouldn't. But there had always been that tiny part of him that felt like he wasn't good enough for Leanne, and that if there was anyone who would disapprove, it would be Jesse. "Thank you." He whispered softly, his hands going in front of him as the nerves started to settle in.

"Come here." Jesse reached out and pulled the man into a tight hug, smiling to himself when Ethan hugged him back. He pulled back after a minute and shot the younger man a smile. "Now let's get you out of here so that you can go ask that woman of yours to finally be your wife!"

Nodding his head, Ethan couldn't agree more. He was finally ready. He knew that they had been building up to this. And he knew it was finally time. He just prayed that his nerves wouldn't get the better of him between now and the end of her shift in four hours. He offered Jesse a smile and gestured for the man to lead him outside. "After you."

Jesse chuckled as he lead him to the elevator and then to the parking deck. They stopped just outside the doors and Jesse reached forward to put his hands on Ethan's arms. "I'll be waiting for a phone call." He smiled, and winked, before turning Ethan toward the approaching car.

Ethan just nodded his head again and offered the man one last smile before climbing in the passenger seat of Noa's Challenger. Taking another deep breath he turned towards the red-head and offered her a smile. "Let's do this."

Noa let out a laugh before throwing the car back into gear and pulling away from the curb quickly. She was going to be damned if this man didn't get home soon. He had a proposal to plan and all.

***There's only 2 more chapters left! Ahh! But I promise they're good ones!
***Don't forget to comment :)