Missing You. Part 3 of 3.

Present Day

Brendan continues to watch Ste sort the breakfast out for the kids and as his gaze is met by Ste the coffee machine beeps turning his attention to that instead. Ste's eyes falter and he moves away into the lounge just as Brendan turns around ready to smile at him. It leaves his face when he realises Ste has gone.

Leah instead captures his eyes and he smiles at her. "Daddy Brendan?"

"Hmm"

"Where's your moustashe gone?"

"It's still here love, it's just kept growing that much it's all over my chin now too" Brendan grins at them both now, as Lucas looks up in interest.

"I'm gonna grow a beard too" Lucas crunches the cereal he's spooned into his mouth speaking while he eats leaving Leah to roll her eyes unimpressed.

"That right? I'll have to teach ye how to shave then wont I?" Brendan replies with a cheeky smile, Lucas nods profusely spooning some more cereal from his bowl.

"Must be why Daddy likes it then" Leah speaks again, evermore so dainty with her eating, she shows Lucas how it's meant to be done. He just shovels more in his mouth with a grin. She sighs watching Lucas eat "Brother's are so gross sometimes"

"Daddy said that did he?" Brendan sat down at the breakfast table and sipped at his coffee "What else does Daddy say?"

"Dunno, he just misses you I think. You're not always here"

Brendan's heart aches with her words "I know, we're both so busy at the moment. And your Daddy is so clever isn't he? A famous chef now, so that's why he's busy too"

"He was on TV and we watched him"

"I know, I was really proud."

"We are too" Leah smiled finishing off her breakfast and playing a game of 'I shove you, you shove me' with her brother.

Brendan continued to watch them,drank his coffee and scranned the rest of his toast quickly. He was up to his feet and at the front door waiting to leave as Ste came out of the bedroom dressed in his chef whites, school bags in hand ready to start another day.

"It's mental in the mornings init?" Ste beamed as he passed by. Brendan turned to watch him and sighed.

"I'll see ye later Steven?"

"Yeah Bren you will, are you on a late again?"

"Hmm, about two in the morning. I'll see ye in bed?" Brendan unlocked the door "Steven?"

Ste rushed about in a hurry "Yeah, see ya later."

"I love ye Steven"

Ste stopped moving and looked back at Brendan and smiled "Hey hang on! Why are you leaving now when ya shift doesn't start till later?" Ste looks on puzzled.

"I...erm...have to go buy something...Steven" Leah interrupts Ste taking his attention away from Brendan again. He breathes heavy through his nose and turns to leave.

"I love you too!" Ste shouts as the door closes behind him.

The morning sun had baked the inside of Brendan's car enough for him to open up the windows and blast on the air con. In his suit, his tight fit suit he thought he was actually melting alive. The drive through the streets quiet at this time in the morning, only an odd few cars around. There was one place that he passed while driving where he'd slow down or even stop. The Liffey bridge stood proud across the river. Brendan took the time to remember them, and how once upon a time many years earlier he'd proclaimed his love to Ste on the bridge. Odd occasions he would get out and walk over to the love locks and stand by the one they did together.

It was the first thing they'd done when they first arrived back in Dublin. He remembers the smile Ste had when he locked it and threw the key into the river just how he'd told him. They'd kissed for such a long time afterwards, hundreds of people must have passed by but neither of them even noticed. Then they'd found a flat to rent and bought the club and restaurant. Eventually getting a home together, a proper house, a place they could be a family once again. One time Brendan had been leaving the bridge he'd noticed the jewellers in the distance and had walked over to look in the window at the wedding bands.

The times had never been right, wanting to make sure their businesses took off and their security was there for life, Brendan had held off doing the one thing they both wanted more than anything. Today was that day.

As he strolled into the jewellers his heart kept swelling with his thoughts. He wanted this now, he was sure of it. Remembering the time they baked bread in the deli together, and agreed that marriage 'wouldn't be a bad thing' he knew back then even. He thought about it in those moments they spoke, how he'd do it. Would he get on one knee, because he knew Ste would love that. Or perhaps he'd hide the ring somewhere Ste would find it. In those moments he told him he wanted to take care of him and the kids he'd already began to plan it.

Brendan glanced over the different wedding bands, silvers and gold's. His eyes drew to a platinum ring, diamond cut. It had a slight sparkle to it, Brendan asked the assistant to show it too him. It rolled between his thumb and forefinger, caught the light and shone the brightest of the other rings; at least it did to him. Imagining it on Ste's finger, placing it there, pushing it on himself and sealing it with a kiss. It was all he wanted for them, being a family. They had that now and the security. And even though it had been one of their hardest hurdles, they managed to get back to this place in their lives.

The lady behind the counter smiled with Brendan, noting he was miles away in thought but wherever that was produced the biggest smile. He paid for it then and there, placed it in his pocket and thought about how he was going to get some time for them at last and propose.

Ste wasn't sure how it happened, but somehow life had got in between them. It had crept up un awares and blown them further apart the longer time had gone on. They were always hands on with each other, and in the beginning Ste couldn't remember a time Brendan didn't have his hands all over him. They'd become a different couple over the last months though, to tired from crazy amounts of hours working, that and juggling the kids when Amy had let them stay six months. Not that either of them were complaining having Leah and Lucas around, if anything they'd got so used to it, the time they'd hand them back grew ever more painful.

Brendan had once said to Ste he wasn't a monk, well now that was becoming a reality and in all honesty Ste couldn't stand not to be ruined by his boyfriend in every position they could think of, and they'd tried the lot.

So it had been two weeks now, and for them it felt a lifetime. Ste was missing Brendan, even though each night they held each other close like they lived out in the coldest of weathers, it had been too long since they touched each other, made love for hours, come so hard they forgot where they even were.

Ste couldn't handle it any longer; their busy work schedule had gotten completely in the way of them and the closeness they craved. Ste found himself hardening every time he kissed Brendan these days, he felt starved of him. As he pondered the next menu to his restaurant, pen in hand and blank sheet in front of him he found himself thinking of other things. What could he do to light that fire again, he knew Brendan and how to push the right buttons, couldn't he use that to his advantage now? Ste bit at the pen lid as he held it there in thought, a smile made it's way across his lips.

His menu finally penned Ste sighed and looked out of the serving window and he was thankful it was getting later in the day and not many people were around. Half his staff had left and the remaining customers were just loved up couples pawing at each other till the house wine had ran out. It spurred him on even more, getting his boyfriends' attention was his priority now.

The last of his customers finally left, dismissing his staff Ste locked up. Then it dawned on him, Brendan was bound to be feeling the same way, but he first had to get him in the mood for it, tease him a little. Ste was good at seduction, or at least he hoped he was. He made a quick call to Amy before he did anything else. Had a good conversation with her, and by the end of the call, she was on her way to pick the kids up for a long weekend away.

The club was busy when he'd arrived, every member of staff up to their eyeballs in customers. Brendan placed the ring in the safe and took off his jacket, rolled up his shirtsleeves and strode tall into the sea of club goers.

The heat from the lights in the club don't help, they make him sweat, and the body heat off everyone else radiates the large dance space even more. There doesn't seem to be a moment where he gets a break and for the first hour it's completely manic at the bar. His phone buzzes in his side pocket as he's serving a drink. Brendan takes payment and walks over to the till. Before he rings it through he fingers for his phone and unlocks the screen seeing it's a message from Steven.

Message from Steven
How long are you gonna make me wait?

Brendan read the message and puzzled, trying to work out it's meaning. He was sure they hadn't made any plans for tonight; in fact Ste knew he was finishing at two in the morning because they'd spoken about it earlier before he left the house.

Message from Brendan
Finishing at 2.
U forgotten?

"Erm excuse me? Can I have my change please mate?" A man stood getting agitated and Brendan quickly opened the till and gave it to him.

"Here ye go sir" Brendan replied as the man took the change roughly.

His phone didn't go off again for another half hour but when it did, Brendan made time to look at it.

Message from Steven
I wanna play a game.

Brendan couldn't work out what on earth Ste was on about, and began to wonder if he was going mad. A woman barking an order at him delayed his reply, faffing around with a tray of drinks for her his phone beeped once again.

Message from Steven
First u need to know the rules.
U interested?

Message from Brendan
Tell me the rules…

Message from Steven
No touching

Message from Brendan
Touching what myself or u?

Message from Steven
Yourself, u can't touch
me if I ain't with u

"Are you ever going to serve me? I have been stood at this bar ages while you mess with your phone!" A customer spits in anger at Brendan who feels frustrated at constantly being interrupted. This is the first time they've spoken this much in ages. He noticed it, the way they never get chance to be with each other. Every day Ste works and himself working till early morning. They're both too exhausted to do anything other than sleep, falling asleep in each other's arms. Brendan hadn't been too sure Ste felt the same, until now. Captivated Brendan allowed himself to disregard his managerial duties to play host to Ste's wishes.

Message from Brendan
Ok, u have my attention

Message from Steven
Are u alone?

Message from Brendan
Nope,club packed.

Message from Steven
Fell over naked on our bed
and you're not here.

Message from Brendan
U couldn't wait till I got home?!

Message from Steven
I have this problem...

Message from Brendan
What?

Message from Steven
Whenever I think of u my thighs spread.

Message from Brendan
They open for me now?

Message from Steven
You've been on my mind all day.

Message from Brendan
That must've been embarrassing for the staff

Message from Steven
Ha ha ;P

Message from Brendan
Are u allowed to touch?

Message from Steven
That what u want?

Message from Brendan
Yeah, I do.
are u hard?

Message from Steven
*Attachment*
Always hard for u
Imagining your mouth right here

Brendan coughs as his eyes widen reading his message, there's a moment he thinks someone is watching him, and can see what's flashed up in full colour on his phone and he feels himself burn up. Eyes flicking to the bar and the staff who are busy with the influx of people and trying to serve them. He moves and his trousers tighten around him, his cock so hard it's a wonder he can walk. Brendan closes his eyes and pockets his phone stepping sideways trying not to reveal his embarrassment.

Ste licks the tip of his tongue across his lips and the smile that's plastered on him like he's the cat who's got the cream. It's only when Ste is at home he thinks about replying to Brendan again. He's naked and stood in front of the mirror, he touches himself, pulls against his cock and thumbs the pre come over the head, eyes closed noises part from his lips as a whimpering. The phone is stopped from recording and Ste grins as he sends the video to Brendan. Crawling over the bed he lays against his erection to calm himself down a bit.

He waits, chin rested on his upturned palm for Brendan to reply,giddy with anticipation of him seeing what he sent.

Back at the club Brendan assumes Ste has given up with the flirty texts and he's kind of sulking over it. He was enjoying the attention but more than that, he was enjoying their intimacy again. He couldn't wait to see Ste, clock watched every hour that passed by and because he wanted it more than ever, the time ticked by at a snails pace.

Brendan was clearing some of the tables when his phone buzzed again, checking around him he sidled over to a dark corner of the club and hid in the shadows beam wide on his face. He opened up the message and realised there was another attachment, Brendan shot forward quickly seeing its contents, eyes fixed on Ste and what he was doing to himself. Brendan's dick throbbed watching the video and loudly moaned once it was cut far to short.

Message from Brendan
Damn you're perfect

Message from Steven
U like that don't u

Message from Brendan
I want to be there.
Taste u all over.

Message from Steven
Can't you get off early?

Message from Brendan
We're too busy ;(

Brendan shook the hand of the man in a smart suit when he interrupted him. Phone quickly placed in his pocket,Brendan smiled professionally. The office felt too warm as he flung of this suit jacket,he felt his phone vibrate and in his haste for Ste found himself wanting to read his next text.

Message from Steven
Where are u right now?

Message from Brendan
The office,got a brief meeting.

Message from Steven
Are your ears burning?
I can't stop saying your name.

Message from Brendan
I can't do this now.

Message from Steven
I'll stop then

Message from Brendan
Don't stop Steven

The man sat down and opened his briefcase,brought out his files and placed them on his desk to look at. Brendan was miles away from this meeting though, he was back at their home with Steven, ripping his clothes off as he rounded the house to eventually find Ste. Brendan found himself feeling excited as his body tingled with trepidation. He was like a teenager apart of a new relationship. The wanting you feel when you're with them and the missing them when you're not. His fingers played with his phone,and when Ste didn't text it hurt.

"You back in the room yet Mr Brady?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah...yeah sorry. What did ye say?"

"Waiting for you,seems your mind is elsewhere" The older man peered over his dark rimmed glasses at Brendan, he was glad he couldn't read minds.

"It is...sorry. It's Steven, ye remember me mentioning him? He's just keeping in touch" Brendan shook his phone and nodded sheepishly.

"Of course,now about these figures...the business is doing well.I see no reason why you can't look to invest in another business if you so wish, funds are sufficient"

"I need the money for something else actually, I'm planning to get married"

"Ah, so this is why you look happy. Congratulations."

"I ain't asked him yet...but thank ye. So that and the honeymoon, I only want the best for him"

"Well rest assured, your finances are doing well, The trust funds are still in place, as it's been a few years they've accumulated well" The man stood up and held his hand out to Brendan taking it and shaking with a firm grip. "As you asked the children wont get them till they're older"

"Thank ye for your help, and for coming to see me here. I just don't get the time to do anything but work at the moment."

"Why don't you just hire in a relief manager? It's been going on ages this, give yourself some time with that family of yours eh?" The older man had a fair point, he had forgotten the last time they spent any time together. Brendan became at one with his thoughts until the man moved them to the office door and opened it to leave.

"Why don't ye stay for a drink? First one on me, and there's food out there too"

The man smiled and nodded "I will decline this time as I am driving, but next time I'll hold you to that." He turned back around and smiled "And why don't you reply to him eh? I'll leave you too it" Brendan looked at his phone in his hand and at the time. It would be a few more hours before he could leave. Brendan escorted the man from the club. Brendan quickly fingers over his phone.

Message from Steven
My fingers are in my mouth,
imagine where I'm gonna put them.

Message from Brendan
U gonna come for me?

Message from Steven
Meeting over?

Message from Brendan
Just now.

Message from Steven
Still wet for you

Message from Brendan
Show me

Message from Steven
*Attachment*
Wanna lick it off?

"Jesus"

Message from Brendan
I'm gonna ruin u boy

Message from Steven
Promises, promises.

Once back on the dance floor Brendan searches the room, people still dancing around, he spots an ice bucket with champagne inside it, he wants to take that ice bucket and throw it over himself. So damn hot for his man right now it isn't funny. His staff looked to be coping okay at the bar, so he moved into his office to do some much needed paperwork. Brendan shifted in his leather chair holding up his phone again.

Message from Brendan
U realise what you've done to me?

Message from Steven
U horny baby?

Message from Brendan
I want u Steven.

Message from Steven
I want u more.

Message from Brendan
I wanna see u

Message from Steven
Tonight? Can't u wait for me?

Message from Brendan
Now.

Message from Steven
If I bring lube,
u gonna lay me on ur desk?

Message from Brendan
U set off yet?

Message from Steven
Or do u want to loosen me with ur tongue?

Message from Brendan
Wet enough ain't u?

Message from Steven
Ohh tetchy...

Message from Brendan
I'll take u outside the club
if u don't hurry up

Message from Steven
So desperate ;P

When Ste arrives at the club it's still bustling with people dancing the night away, he edges past a few as he bounds up the stairs to the top floor. A few people try and coax him into dancing but he's not interested in them, he's too busy thinking about Brendan, spending time alone together.

It's hard to see anything when he walks in and the floor is packed. Ste edges his way around and to the bar. One of the bar tenders reconises him and offers a drink then points out the buffet bar in the corner full of all kinds of different food. Ste nods in acceptance of the beer he's given and asks for 'the boss'. The man isn't sure where he is, but says the best bet would be the office or cellar.

Ste takes a swig of the ice cold beer and directs his eyes towards the cellar, the last time they were down in one of those together was so long ago, good and bad memories flood Ste's mind. Then they trail to the food and he wanders over finding a concoction Ste finds his way through to the office, standing there his heart flutters, giddy like a first date. It's crazy but he likes the feeling of it, makes him excited, needy. Ste knocks at the door and walks in. Ste glances over at Brendan who's sat in the leather-backed chair that creaks when he moves in it.

"The Kids are at Amy's I take it?" Brendan asks quietly.

"Hmm, all weekend"

Ste smiles and sits down on the sofa. Brendan moves slowly around and settles next to Ste who has started to eat the food he's brought in.

"What's this?"

"Dunno, I just threw it together, fancied a little of everything"

"I fancy a bit of everything too Steven, and I don't mean the food"

"I'm sorry I've been so wrapped up in work to notice you. Actually that's a lie, I do notice you, and you take my breath away." Ste turns to Brendan

"Just with the restaurant and TV deal, it's gotten crazy"

"I know, It's okay. I get to hold ye every night and wake up to ye. I have been just as busy, and I always notice ye too. So beautiful, who wouldn't?"

Ste eats the banana that's covered in squirty cream and grins when he turns to Brendan. Angling himself he points quickly gesturing to his face "Ye have some cream on your lips Steven"

"Yeah? Then why don't ya lick it off?"

Brendan moves like he's starved, is on Ste faster than he can breathe. Brendan's tongue is warm as he licks off the cream, feels rough Ste's stubble on his wet strokes. It does something to him, his boy covered in this dark hair. Has to taste again, laps slowly teases it between Ste's smiling lips and parts them.

Ste discards the banana cream whatsit in favour of his man invading his mouth with a need he's gotta take. Ste craves his touch, takes his tongue and sucks it into his mouth. The heat soars between them and Ste slides down underneath Brendan bringing the older man crashing on top of his body, their groins press close instilling gasps and moans that echo the room.

"Oh god get them off" Ste pulls Brendan's shirt into a tight grip.

"Ye want it Steven, ye want me here?" Brendan's hand thrusts fast between Ste's legs and rubs there, the friction burns at the material of his tracksuit bottoms. Ste keens up into his hand, eyelashes flick up to reveal eyes blown and full of desire.

"No one has ever made me come as hard as you" Ste holds his head up to Brendan's ear telling him with a purr.

"I want ye to take off all your clothes and lie down for me on the desk"

Ste's cheeks flush with Brendan's hand movements, they're rubbing him so thick the pre come just keeps dribbling from the slit, he can feel it, his arousal when it creeps up like drops into water, they span over him again and again. Ste's moist and hot, pushes into Brendan's hand and rubs himself on his palm. Brendan lets him continue a while, he likes to watch. Steven getting himself worked up, the right angle and pressure and he's keening in hunger.

"You're making yourself come ain't ye?"

"No…I'm just…god…yeah"

"Look at ye, like you're on heat, desperate little minx" Brendan moves his hand and Ste quickly jots with the loss.

"Bren!"

"I told ye..get on that desk…now"

Ste's mouth curls into a grin he's sweaty, and there's a shine to his skin with the dampness. His nipples have hardened, he felt them perk up through his arousal, they always do that, feel rock hard. Brendan's noticed too, they're prominent through his t shirt, he's thumbing over them and the material chafes against the sensitive nubs in such a way it pleasures him. Soon Brendan pulls back completely and leans above Ste lowering for a quick kiss. He winks as he moves to stand up, tented trousers Brendan is hard and throbbing in his pants.

Ste moves off the sofa, swings his legs around till they're on the floor. Walking to the desk he glances back at Brendan, tongue sticking out between his teeth. Ste can see it in Brendan's eyes, he loves the intensity, the waiting. He removes his top slowly, showing off his bronzed torso, holds the top in his fisted hand and fingers down himself keeping his gaze with Brendan's the whole time. His cock feels so thick now, pulses and ticks. His eyes almost close with it, a jerk reaction to feeling so aroused. Ste only has to stoke himself a few times and he'd be spilling into his hand.

Ste backs into the middle of the office and Brendan follows him, eyes still fixed and dilated, he loves the boy before him. Adores him. "I love ye Steven"

Ste swallows at the sentiment, he doesn't hear those words too often but when he does his body alights, heart swells and beats differently, it only has ever sounded this way with Brendan, no other man could compare. "I've never loved anyone as much as you"

The gap is taken away by Brendan's advance. Ste drags his leg up Brendan's thigh and he grips it in his tight fingers, pulls them close, keen's with it. Ste hums and holds onto his neck, jumps and Brendan catches him and pushes them up against the wall with a thud. Ste's breath is taken from his lungs with it, gasps and moulds their lips together.

Ste's hand rummages in his boxers and frees his length, fiddles with Brendan's zipper and pulls out his cock and presses them together. A moan leaves both their mouths at the same time, cocks rubbing close; slippy with pre come. Ste pulls Brendan closer and nuzzles into his neck, bites, kisses and tugs at Brendan's sweet skin.

"Get these off" Brendan growls parting from Steven, allowing him to strip the rest of his clothes off. Ste doesn't though instead he moves closer to Brendan and begins to take his off instead. Pushes the open shirt over his shoulders and licks over his nipples. Lips cupping over them gently.

"I missed you."

"I missed ye too"

Ste looked up at Brendan in awe, his heart swelled, arms tightened around his neck "You gonna show me how much?"

Brendan's hand dragged Ste's thigh up his body and nodded slowly, Ste brought up his other leg tying them crossed behind his back. Brendan walked them to the desk and lowered Ste gently against the wood and rids himself of his boxers and trousers, Brendan walks over to the door and locks it as Ste sits up on his elbows and watches. Moves his legs up to his feet and opens his thighs, fingers in his mouth he licks them and places them wet against his hole.

Rubs gently, Brendan's eyes fixed on what he's doing. Falling to his knees Brendan's tongue follows suit, shifts inside and has a taste of Ste, the warmth surrounds his tongue, Brendan hums through each lap his tongue takes. Moves Ste's hands to his hole and makes him widen himself more for him. Ste's puring and rocking his hips over Brendan's big tongue, fucks himself and let's the tingling rush through his veins.

"Bren…oh god baby"

"I love your taste"

Brendan's hands thumb over his leaking cock, moves up and laps over it "So wet for me"

"Always for you. Fuck me Brendan, I need you"

Brendan's cock pounds hard in and out of Ste as he enters him, legs pulled up over his shoulders, his thighs are gripped tightly in Brendan's big hands. Ste's head arches against the desk when Brendan pushes in so deep he hits his sweet spot again and again. 'Harder' Ste asks breathless, body jerking over the desk his hands clamber for the sides as his nails scrape against the wood. The climax has his body glowing red heat, Brendan's come paints his insides full.

Ste moans through the come down and how Brendan's cock slides in and out wetter with his come as lube, the noise of it heightens the pleasure, sounds so filthy Ste blushes.

Brendan collapses on Ste and bites at his neck. "Let's not leave it so long next time, but that was worth the wait"

"I knew I could have you on your knees Brendan, so easy"

"Ye are a tease Steven Hay"

Brendan takes the day off especially, and makes sure Ste will have the day off too. Leah and Lucas are at Amys all weekend so its the perfect time to do this. Brendan is dressed casually for a change, black jeans and a top, he looks handsome he knows this because Ste told him so this morning just before he left for work thinking this was gonna be a normal working day. Brendan was fit to burst having the ring so close by, tucked away in his pocket he'd resisted the urge to ask Ste last night, but their amazing night together ended up whiling away the hours reminding themselves of every intimate detail and curve for hours upon end.

Now as he walks towards Ste's restaurant and looks inside at the sea of customers at their tables eating and the amount of people who will witness his proposal his heart feels like it's about to jump out of his chest. All Ste ever wanted in the beginning was to be a proper couple, who went out together, in public and wasn't afraid of it. And now, Brendan felt ease with public displays of affection, maybe a little apprehensive still, but he thought a grand gesture was bound to put a smile on Ste's face, especially if it was a surprise he knew nothing about. That was the plan at least.

Ste was in the kitchen when one of the waitresses touched him on the shoulder. "Ste? Erm, theres a customer out here, and he's wanting to see the chef"

Ste grabbed the tee towel from around his shoulder and cleaned his hands with it before nodding and moving out into the restaurant. He stopped in his tracks seeing Brendan stood there, just standing with hands in his pockets. The customers still eating and chatting away oblivious. Ste walked forward.

"Brendan, what you doing here?"

"Do I need a reason to see ye?"

"Well no..but I am working...so"

"Got ye the day off, think ye will need it"

Ste scrunched his face up "What's going on?"

Brendan reached into his pocket and pulled out a black box before walking the distance to place their bodies closer "Remember how we once baked bread together in the deli? And how I said it 'wouldn't be a bad thing?"

Ste swallowed shakily "Yeah..."

Brendan smiled and moved down to one knee and Ste thought he was about to collapse or something because his legs turned to jelly right then and there, and as for his heart, well he held against his chest to keep it inside his rib cage. The people in the place stopped what they were doing to look at them looking at each other.

"I love ye, ye make the world good again" Brendan nodded his head "I can't live my life without ye, marry me Steven?"

"Oh god" the younger man choked and fingers shook taking the ring from its black velvet box "Yes I will" Ste sobbed.

Brendan smiled and heaved himself back up again, Ste threw his arms around him making them a little uneasy on their feet, hugging tightly, eyes closed. The place erupted in laughter, applause but they never heard it. Only their heart beats and Ste's sobs.

"Forever" Brendan whispered.

Ste looks at it, it's big and shiny and fits so perfectly on his finger. He can't stop looking at it, he's like one of those magpie birds that really love shiny things except they don't have massive giddy grins plastered over their faces. Leah comes running into their bedroom and jumps up on the bed next to her dad. He's acting weird, and she knows that adults do that sometimes, especially her Dad but that smile he has makes her giggle.

"What ya looking at?"

"This " Ste holds his hand out to Leah who fingers over the ring "You know what this means dont'cha?"

"Are you and Daddy Brendan getting married?" Leah rolls her eyes "You've told me this like at least eighty seven times Dad!"

"Have I? Oh I hadn't noticed" Ste laughed taking Leah into his arms and squeezing her tightly till she laughs.

"I like you happy. Daddy Brendan is too, he told us a hundred times"

"HA! Did he? Cool"

"I'm gonna be a bridesmaid and Lucas a pageboy. And we're gonna look really posh" Leah moved off the bed and looked back at Ste "Can I wear pink?"

"Course ya can love" Ste nibbles at his bottom lip and sighs with a big heart. "Come on, it's bed for you now"

Brendan wont be back from the club till the early hours, he's missing him even more now. Ste puts the kids to bed and sits up on the sofa and stays up until Brendan returns home to him. Bringing him something to eat Brendan settles down and finishes his plate till its empty. He turns and looks at him. "Ye okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just thinking...and I know it's a sad memory but, I'm remembering when you came back and found me."

"Hmm, it seems like another lifetime now though, considering where we are now at least" Brendan takes his dishes into the kitchen and Ste follows behind him.

"Just put em in the sink, I'll wash em in the morning"

"I'll wash them, I can just about remember how to wash up"

Ste raised his eyebrows playfully "Yeah? Wonders never cease" Ste laughs when Brendan pokes him in the ribs and shakes his head

"Cheeky sod"

"Can we talk in bed?" Ste drags Brendan behind him to their room.

"Am I on a promise now then? A whole conversation in bed? Jesus it must be Christmas, or the very least Easter"

"Shurrup Bren! I'm serious ya know?"

"Yeah that's what worries me"

Ste jumps on the bed and waits for Brendan to strip, has to watch because it's Brendan and lets face it who wouldn't watch the man strip. Ste laughs at his thoughts as the older man raises an eyebrow and sways as he removes his shirt flinging it so it lands on Ste's head. Trousers and flying boxers later and he's next to him on the bed smirking. Gestures to all of his nakedness and looks at Ste "Still wanna talk huh?"

"Bloody hell, yeah I do...jesus"

Brendan raises his knee up and angles to rest on his elbow leaving nothing to the imagination, Ste almost swoons under the sudden temperature change "Go on then, talk"

"Just wanna set a date, the wedding and the honeymoon"

"The sooner I marry ye the better Steven" Brendan crawls over the duvet towards him "The honeymoon, we can start that now if ye like?"

"How about next month?" Ste sighs as Brendan lays him down on the bed and works his tongue against his nipple. "We could invite everyone...OH"

"Shhh, remember the kids are asleep"

Brendan grins nibbling and sucking the nub hard.

"Stop it then!"

"Ye want me to stop?" Brendan cicles Ste's other nipple with his finger and licks the perimeter of his lips "really?"

"Oh god, fine! Bloody tease" Ste grabs Brendan's neck and kisses hard against his lips, the older man laughs loudly wrapping his arms around Ste's body.

Leah walks down the aisle first with Amy, and Brendan stands at the alter dressed in a perfect fit suit to enhance his body. Father Des is stood talking to him and smiling, he tells him how happy he is they finally made it and he told Steven how he felt. Brendan doesn't go into details, because their story is a long one and right now all he wants is to marry the boy he loves. Amy manages a nod his way, and Leah waves at him with a smile so perfect. Lucas is next to wander the aisle, along with his own children. Paddy and Declan had been a little harder to win around but them being here meant everything to him.

Ste had made the call a year ago to Eileen and got them talking again. Declan manages a nod to his father and Paddy a smile. Lucas waves and sits with Leah. his children behind them. They're all his children now though, a proper family like how it should be. Ste averts his gaze when he walks down the aisle towards him.

Ste smiles and Brendan weakens at the knees, not that he'd admit it to anyone but him, but he does. Ste makes his heart beat differently. They'd discussed it eventually, a church wedding. Ste's enthusiasm making Brendan feel lighter, he'd have married him anywhere he wanted. As long as they were together.
They stood side by side and tried to keep eye contact with Father Des as he went through the vows, but they always ended up with eyes on each other, no one else was even there in the end, not in their minds. It was only ever just them.

In the midst of the moments that passed Brendan placed the ring on Ste's finger promising to spend his life with him. And when he remembered to breathe again, Ste told him the same, forever he told Brendan and placed the ring on his finger before holding his hand. Their eyes never separated and they kissed before, during and after Father Des pronounced them 'husband's' and telling them they could kiss finally. No one told them when they could do that though, they kissed for fun most of the time anyhow.

It was Leah and Lucas lobbing a ton of confetti at them that finally parted their embrace, reluctantly the newly married couple stopped kissing long enough to see the congregation happy for them, even Amy looked genuinely pleased for them hugging Ste tightly and shaking Brendan's hand. In the grand scheme of things, a hug would've been pushing it. Brendan never let go of Ste's hand, they signed the register and posed for photos and never once separated.

A limo pulled up for them after the party celebrations were in full swing, Brendan whisking Ste off to an unknown location for the honeymoon for a week. They said bye to their children before entering the car bound for Dublin airport. They kissed as soon as they were alone in the car, there wasn't time for any words, Brendan lowered Ste over the long seat and said a thousand words with each tongue stroke he laid against Ste's. Responsive in hunger the younger man couldn't get enough of his husband, hands desperate along the whole of his body.

"We did it" Ste beamed through the kisses, stroked his hand over Brendan's beard getting him to look up into his eyes "We actually did it"

"I know, and it feels..."

"What? It feels..."

"Right, it feels right Steven"

Ste smiled, he'd never stop now, nothing would ever stop that beautiful smile he had ever. He was so happy. "I love you Brendan Brady"

"I love ye more Steven Brady"

"Oh yeah! I'm a Brady...hang on...why ain't ya a Hay?"

"Brendan Hay? Please"

"Oi what's wrong with that?"

"It don't smoothe off the tongue does it?" Brendan lifted them to the upright position, Ste climbed into his lap instead continuing to kiss through their converse.

I smoothe off your tongue all the time, what ya on about" Ste grinned "Brady-Hay?"

"Are we gonna have our first argument now we're married? Steven BRADY"

"Hay-Brady though..."

"Shut up! Ye are winding me up now aint ye?"

"Yep, it doesn't matter, it's not like we can pass our name onto our kids is it?"

"Who says we can't?"

"Nah, Amy wont agree to that" Ste sighs fingering over Brendan's beard lightly.

"I didn't mean Leah and Lucas." Brendan bore his gaze into Ste's blue eyes, his mouth parts a little and a small breath escapes.

"Really? You mean..." The car stops as they arrived at the airport. Brendan lifts Ste off him and exits the car, holds the door open for Ste and they walk together luggage already packed.

"Brendan?"

"I just think we shouldn't not ever think about it that's all, anything is possible these days, right?"

"Yeah" Ste's heart doesn't know how to beat properly anymore. "Where are we going?"

"Italy. That okay? I thought Milan, maybe some other places"

"Sounds perfect, this is, perfect. Thank you for everything" Ste holds Brendan around the neck and pulls him into a hug. "Thank you for coming back and saving me"

"Ye saved me too. Come on, they're boarding. Got your passport?" Brendan walked ahead of Ste to check out as Ste opened the cover.

"Yeah, just need to change the name to Steven Brady"

The end. And I was gonna write the honeymoon but declined. The amount of romance in this though, I'm too soft with these two! I love them. *sigh*
Lolitangela, I hope its okay, let me know your thoughts. And as always, a massive thank you to all who read this! :D xx