Prompt: Eugene -"The average life is full of near misses and absolute hits. Of great love and small disasters. It's made up of banana milkshakes, loft insulation and random shoes. It's dead ordinary and truly, truly amazing. What you've got to realize is, it's all here, now. So breathe deep and swallow it whole. Because take it from me: life just whizzes by, and then, all of a sudden, it's—" - 'Torchwood'

"You did what?!"

My father's shout bounced off the walls of the kitchen as he got to his feet. I bit my lower lip and held my tongue, knowing that he didn't need me to repeat the news I had just broken.

"And you," he added, glaring at Blaine who sat beside me, hand still intertwined in mine. "You asked me for permission but then turned around and did the exact opposite of what I said."

"I had to do what was right for us," Blaine replied, holding my father's gaze.

"You're just kids!"

"We're both eighteen now."

"I don't care! You've still got so much left to learn! Life isn't just a walk in the park. It's full of ups and downs and near misses. It's full of heartaches. There are bills to pay and illnesses and injuries that sneak up on you when you least expect it. Sure there are going to celebrations, and evenings share hot chocolate by the fireplace but you're also going to lose people you care about."

"You don't think I know that, Dad. I still miss Mom everyday and I've almost lost you twice!" I said, speaking up as he took a pause for breath. "You're the one who told me that you've got to hold the people you love close to you, no matter what."

"I didn't mean for you to go out and get married! That's a huge commitment!"

"I know," I told him. "That's why we're planning on a long engagement."

"How long?" my father asked, calming down slightly.

I glanced over at Blaine. We hadn't been able to decide on a time frame so what answer could I give my Dad.

"Right now, it's indefinite," Blaine replied, speaking up as he brought our intertwined hands up to rest on the table. I saw my Dad's gaze fall on the ring on my hand. "I still need to graduate high school before I can even follow Kurt to New York and then there is college for both of us. The only thing we're sure about is that we want to spend the rest of our lives together, through the good times and the bad. That's what this engagement stands for and when it's time to take the next step, we'll know.

My father looked from Blaine to me. "I don't like it, but apparently I can't stop it," he said, appearing to resign himself to the idea. He let his gaze drift back to Blaine. "However, he's my son and my world. Giving him that ring is a commitment to him and if you break that, there are no more second chances. Do you understand?"

It was my turn to squeeze Blaine's hand reassuringly.

"Yes, sir," Blaine replied, holding my father's steady gaze.

"Then I guess congratulations are in order," my dad said, walking around the table a smile finally coming to his face.