I woke up early. I tried to go back to sleep, but my mind was racing. I turned to look at Jack, who was curled up next to me, breathing slowly and evenly, his skin warm against mine. I brushed a lock of green hair out of his eye, a habit of mine, and I smiled a little. I love you more than you could ever know, my little leprechaun...

Everything was going so great this past year now that Dark was finally dead and out of our lives, but the recent events with Sean were fucking everything up. I really had started thinking of wedding surprises for Jack, trying to figure out which idea would be the one Jack would love the most.

I always avoided the conversations because I was doing my own super secret planning. I had to find information on some things. Jack is living in the U.S. under a work Visa, which he has to renew every six months. If we were to get married in the States, he wouldn't have to do that anymore, and that small, lingering fear that his application for renewal would get denied could finally go away, but he would have to apply for a Green Card, which required more forms and information.

But I have also been thinking about surprising him with a trip to Ireland, so we could get married there. I wanted to plan it all out ahead of time, but I needed to make sure the timing was right. I needed to know if a surprise, pre-planned wedding would be a dream come true for him, or if he would hate me for not allowing him to have any input on what could possibly be the biggest and best day of our lives. I was trying to test the waters, and I had been communicating with Jack's family on the matter, especially Jack's sister, who was more than willing to gather information from that side of the ocean.

I needed to know if marrying someone in Ireland would be valid in the U.S., especially someone living here on a work Visa. I needed to know what kinds of paperwork would have to be filed, if I had to consult with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, if all I had to do was get a valid marriage license from the United States, or Ireland, or both... It was all so much. And Jack thought I didn't want to get married... If he only knew how much I did...

Why did I have to go and fuck it all up? What can I do to show him how much I love him and I do want to marry him?

I slipped quietly out of bed, being careful not to wake Jack. It was Saturday, and he didn't have to work. He hasn't been sleeping that well since Sean showed up again, and I'm sure if he were to wake up now he would still be groggy from the pain meds he got last night.

I slipped into some sweat pants, threw on a T shirt and tip-toed downstairs to make some coffee. Once I got the coffee brewing, I pulled out some notebooks, my laptop, and a pen. I opened my email to find I had a reply from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, regarding some inquiries I made a number of weeks prior.

Mr. Fischbach,

This email is in regards to the information you have requested on September 2, 2016.

As I am sure you are aware, same sex marriage is indeed legal and binding in the State of California. No specific action is needed for same sex couples to be legally married in the State of California. Simply obtaining a legally binding marriage license is sufficient.

Since Mr. McLoughlin is in the United States under a Work Visa, his employer is required to sponsor him, which I am sure you are aware. From my understanding, since you are the co-owner of the company which employs Mr. McLoughlin, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requests Thomas Fischbach to be the official sponsor. Our records indicate that Thomas Fischbach is listed as Mr. McLoughlin's employer and sponsor on his Work Visa forms, and you are listed as a secondary sponsor. Once your marriage is legal and valid, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requests your name be removed from the employer sponsorship.

Once the marriage is valid, Mr. McLoughlin will have to apply for permanent residence and obtain a Green Card.

You, as his spouse, would have to fill out an Affidavit of Support (form I-864) to validate that you have the ability to support him, whether he is working or not. Since Mr. McLoughlin is working, his income may be added to the Affidavit of Support form. The decision to add his income to the Affidavit of Support is under your and your future spouse's discretion.

Both of you will have to attend several interviews, one held at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, located at 300 North Los Angeles St. Los Angeles, CA 90012, one held at your residence, and one held at Mr. McLoughlin's residence. If Mr. McLoughlin currently resides with you, both residential interviews would be held at that residence on two separate occasions.

To address your question about the legality of your marriage in the United States if the marriage takes place in Ireland, you do not need to have been married in the United States for your marriage to be legal. It is perfectly acceptable if you marry in Ireland or elsewhere. A variety of marriage procedures are also recognized, from church weddings to customary tribal practices. Please be sure to obtain all legal documents if you so choose to wed in Ireland. In certain circumstances, you may be required to obtain a marriage license through the United States, even if you have met all legal requirements from Ireland.

Please feel free to contact me with any further inquiries.

Lydia Martin

Representative of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

"Wow, that is a lot to take in," I mumbled to myself, reading the email over again for the third time.

"What's a lot to take in, Mark?" I jumped a mile, and slammed the lid of my laptop down as Jack walked up right behind me.

"Jesus fucking hell, Jack!" I yelled, my voice cracking like a pre-pubescent boy. "You scared the shit outta me!" I screeched, slamming my hand over my heart.

"Christ, Mark, I'm sorry! I didn't mean ta scare ya..." Jack said, trying to stifle a giggle.

"You're usually so goddamn loud! You can't go sneaking up on a guy, man!" I barked, trying to gather up all my papers and notes.

"Maaaark... whatcha doin?" Jack asked playfully. He could see I was trying to hide something.

"Noneya... noneya bidness, Jackaboy. Go get some coffee while I clean this stuff up," I told him, smiling.

"No, really... why did you jump a mile, and what are you hiding from me?" Jack prodded. I could hear a bit of concern or fear in his voice.

I stood up and took his face into my hands. I pressed my lips to his, and I felt him relax and melt into me. "Do you trust me, Babe?" I asked when our kiss ended.

"Of course, Mark. It's just... well..." He trailed off.

"Jack?"

"You have never hidden anything from me. Ever. Well, except that time that you were training to turn Nephilim at will... but that's beside the point! I feel like you're... doing something behind my back, and I don't like it. It makes me worry..."

"It's a surprise," I said. "A good one. You're gonna love it. I promise."

"I'm gonna trust you, Markimoo. I don't know why... but I'm gonna trust you..." he said with a smile curling on his lips.

"Good," I told him, slipping my arms around his waist. "Now, we have something to discuss. Something very important..."

"And what would that be?" Jack asked, tangling his fingers in my hair.

"What are we..." I kissed his lips.

"Gonna do..." I placed tiny kisses along his jaw.

"All day..." My lips found their way to the soft skin on his neck, and I heard him let out a tiny moan.

"I think we can come up with something..." Jack said as he pulled my T-shirt off in one yank and tossed it to the floor.