A/N: This is the final chapter and I want to thank anyone who has stuck by this story over the past 6+ months, and especially those who have taken time to post reviews! I doubt this is the last you'll see of these guys, and I'm sure there will be another sequel at some point in the future :) thanks for reading!
Final Chapter
A few days later, Mike and Micky headed straight for the lake once the weekend was over. May had turned into June and the weather was glorious - as were Mike and Micky, who were still feeling incredibly loved-up and looking forward to a couple of days in their 'special place' by the lake.
The two men were happy to get out of the campervan after a long trip, and Micky stretched his arms out high into the sky as he looked out over the beautiful lake. Mike walked up behind his slightly shorter partner and slid his arms around Micky's waist from behind, planting a gentle kiss on the side of Micky's neck as he did so before resting his chin on the curly-haired man's shoulder.
Micky beamed to himself, resting his hands on top of the Texan's. "I'm glad you suggested we come back here." He said. "It's even more beautiful than I remembered."
"That's funny," Mike said. "Because that's exactly what I thought waking up with you the mornin' after we got back together."
Micky turned around to face his partner. "D'aww." He grinned giddily. "You really are a softie, aren't you?"
Mike tutted. "Shut up." He laughed.
Micky sighed contently. "Mmm." He blew out a breath. "I feel like if my hospital bed had've been right here after my accident then I would've gotten better so much quicker. Just being here makes me feel alive."
Mike nodded. "The fresh, clean air feels good in ya lungs." He agreed.
"Oh! Do you remember our tree?" Micky asked suddenly. "I wonder if we'll be able to find it. Oww, I really hope we can find it."
"I think we'll find it." Mike smiled. "I uh, I've kinda got a confession to make."
Micky looked at Mike curiously. "Oh yeah?"
Mike nodded. "I've kinda been back here since we were last here..." He admitted. "I came about a month after we broke up."
Micky's face softened. "Really?" He asked gently.
"Yeah," Mike nodded. He looked a little shy. "I didn't plan it. I just found myself drivin' one day, and I kept on drivin' until I ended up here. I dunno why. I sorta felt closer to you by being here, but it wasn't really the same on my own."
Micky fel his heart sink. "That's... really sad." He said as he pictured Mike here all by himself.
"It was early November and it was real cold too." Mike told him. "But I really wanted to find our tree. I spent about an hour lookin' for it." He laughed. "But I found it in the end. I just wanted to look at it for a while."
Micky looked out over the lake.
"That's why I'm sure we'll find it again," Mike went on. "Because I sorta remembered some signs to look for to make it easier to find in future. It'll probably look totally different now the seasons have changed, though."
Micky gave the Texan a small smile. "We'll find it." He assured him. "Even if we have to hunt for days, I'll make sure we find it."
Mike smiled. He walked over to Micky and brushed a stray curl out of his face. "When we were last here together, things were very different." He said. "My grandma had just died and you were still so nervous about becomin' a dad."
Micky nodded. "Yeah, a lot has changed since then." He said. "Remember you planted the tree for your grandma that morning?"
"I do." Mike replied. "And speakin' of Grandma's tree, when I went to visit it on her birthday a few months ago I found some flowers beside it. That was you, wasn't it?"
Micky smiled sheepishly. "Yup. You got me."
"I can't believe you remembered her birthday." Mike said, gazing at his partner with loving disbelief.
Micky shrugged. "She meant a lot to you."
"Yeah but still, remembering her birthday... I know people who don't even remember their own grandma's birthdays, let alone anyone else's." Mike said. "When I saw those flowers... God, I just knew it had to be you."
"It was only a few wild flowers I had growing in my garden." Micky said modestly as he looked up at the tall Texan.
"I don't care if it were a few wild flowers or a $20 bouquet, the fact that you remembered her birthday and wanted to do that means the whole world to me." Mike said, narrowing his eyes. "You're really somethin' else, Mick."
Micky smiled bashfully and hung his head - he felt a little embarrassed.
Mike took hold of Micky's chin and lifted the curly-haired man's head. Micky locked eyes with the Texan and smiled.
"Come on," Mike said. "Let's go find our tree."
It took Micky and Mike about half an hour to find their tree - the tree that Micky had carved their names into not long before they broke up the previous year. Both men felt a sense of satisfaction when they finally found it, and they stood there in front of it just looking at it for a while.
"I love that it's still here." Micky said. "Like, I know it wouldn't just disappear but you never know, the tree could've fallen down or something. That'd be so awful."
"I don't think that'll happen, babe." Mike assured him. "I have a feelin' this tree is gonna be standin' here for a long time as yet."
Micky turned to his partner and smiled. "You thought I was so silly when I first carved our names into it." He giggled.
"Silly in a good way though." Mike responded. "It was just such a Micky-thing to do."
Micky laughed some more before sitting himself down on a nearby rock and stretching his legs out. "I guess the tree represents us in a way." He said thoughtfully. "The tree is still standing, and so are we."
Mike nodded, looking over the curly-haired man affectionately before squeezing down on the end of the rock beside him. "And like the tree, we're gonna be standin' for a hell of a long time."
Micky smiled at the Texan. "I hope so." He said.
"I know so." Mike assured him. He nudged Micky with his elbow. "You're stuck with me this time."
After walking around in the trees for a while, Mike and Micky returned to the campervan. Micky laid out a huge, thick woolly blanket on the ground and the couple had a picnic before the sun went down. Like last time, Micky and Mike prepared a campfire, and once the sky was completely dark the two men sat quietly as they looked out over the moonlit lake.
Micky was feeling a sense of calm that he couldn't recall feeling in a very long time. Being at the lake with Mike made Micky feel blissfully relaxed, and laying out on his stomach looking out over the beautiful lake next to the man he loved made Micky feel like the luckiest guy on earth.
Mike, meanwhile, seemed quiet and a little on edge - which Micky was beginning to pick up on. Micky had noticed his Texan partner seem a little spaced out several times throughout the day and evening so far, looking off as if he was in deep, reflective thought. Micky hadn't thought too much of it, especially as he'd been feeling pretty reflective now and then too, but as the night went on Micky thought that Mike almost looked as if he was anxious about something.
"Are you okay, baby?" Micky asked gently, breaking the pleasant silence.
"Yeah. Why?" Mike wondered, looking at Micky through the light from the campfire.
"I dunno... you seem a bit quiet." Micky said. He sat himself up at stared at Mike with narrowed-eyes. "You look a little tense."
"I'm fine." Mike responded, but Micky noticed Mike was fumbling with his hands nervously.
Micky frowned. "Are you worried someone is going to catch us here?" He asked. "Because we went through this last time - no one is around for miles."
"No," Mike shook his head. "I ain't- I ain't worried about that."
"Then what is it then?" Micky pressed - he was starting to feel a little concerned. "You've been on and off all day, and especially tonight. You keep drifting a million miles away and now you look really nervous."
Mike sighed. "I'm sorry." He said. He hung his head and took a deep breath as Micky wondered what on earth was wrong with the Texan. Mike finally looked up. "Nothin' is wrong, I promise you. Everything is- everything is the opposite of wrong. Everything is great. Being here is great. You're great."
Micky was now even more confused than he was before.
Mike took a deep breath as if he was psyching himself up for something. Micky frowned as he watched the Texan visibly try to compose himself before sticking his hand into the pocket of his jeans. Mike pulled something out, but Micky couldn't see what it was - whatever it was was confined in Mike's hand.
Mike took another deep, slow breath. He looked to the sky before looking down into the palm of his hand which he was sheilding from Micky's view.
"I got somethin' for ya." Mike said. He hesitated for a moment before opening his hand out to Micky.
Micky looked down to see a shiny, white-gold ring lying in the palm of Mike's large hand. Micky stared at it in puzzled-bewilderment before looking up at his partner again without saying a single word.
"It's stupid really…I mean, it don't- it don't really mean nothin'… well, it does sorta mean somethin'." Mike begun nervously to a confused-looking Micky before handing him the ring - which Micky gently lifted out of the Texan's hand. "It ain't like an engagement ring or nothing'…obviously." Mike continued. "Because we can't get married. But it's uh, I dunno…somethin'. I know it don't even begin to make up for what I've put you through, but, uh… fuck, I'm no good at this. I thought I knew what to say, but I have no clue. I don't know how to put into words how I feel about you, because there ain't enough words."
Mike paused. He'd been fumbling awkwardly with his hands in his lap as he tried to find the right words to say. He then sighed, looking up and out over the moonlit lake. "I love you. I love you so much, sometimes I can't even stand it. I know I'm hard work sometimes. I know I can't give you all the things you want and it kills me… I know we can't stand on top of that mountain and shout about how we feel about each other, but my god I would if I could. Hell, I'd give you all the stars in the sky if I could. There ain't nothin' I wouldn't do for you, Mick. I'd die for you without a second thought. And I don't ever wanna be with nobody else… I know you know that. I know you know how much I love you…but this ring, I dunno, I want to prove it. I'd marry you if things were different, you know that. Not that we need a piece of paper or a ring or anything…fuck…"
Mike trailed off, rubbing his head. He finally looked up at Micky who was watching him intently; studying him, almost.
"Mick… I wanna spend the rest of my life with you." Mike continued, gazing at Micky through the dim light. "I will spend the rest of my life with you, dammit. Whatever happens…whatever gets chucked at us, I ain't goin' nowhere. Not this time. I swear to you, I will never leave you again. I want to make you as happy as you make me, or I'll die tryin'. I love you, Micky. Always."
Micky was speechless. For only the second time in Micky's entire life, he didn't have anything to say. His eyes were filled with love, and they glistened slightly in the moonlight. He looked down at the ring that laid in the palm of his hand - it was a simple white-gold band. Nothing fancy, but as he admired it closer he noticed it had "Always" inscribed on the inside of the band.
"I know it's dumb…" Mike continued. "But it ain't like I could've had; "I love you Micky, from Mike" written inside…"
"It's not dumb." Micky finally spoke. He almost looked entranced by the ring, or maybe by the situation. His eyes were wide and his head was spinning.
"You don't have to wear it…I mean, I know you have your signet ring." Mike continued. "You could always wear it on a chain or somethin'. Or you don't have to wear it at all."
"Why wouldn't I want to wear it?" Micky asked in confusion, his voice soft and quiet. "I love it."
The moon and the campfire gave off enough light for Micky to notice Mike's face flushing red.
"Why are you embarrassed?" Micky questioned before looking at the ring again. "I can't believe you did this for me."
"Why?" Mike asked.
"Because I'm a pain in the ass." Micky stated, looking up. "I'm always nagging you, pushing you… I stress you out. You worry about me."
"It's because you're my boy." Mike stated seriously. "And what about everything I have put you through, huh? I can't even believe you're giving me another chance after what I did to you. I… I fucked you up. I broke your heart."
"But you mended it again. You fixed me. And you're here now." Micky assured him. "You thought you were doing the right thing by me, by everyone… I know that now. I hardly made it easy for you, did I? I asked for too much."
Mike was silent for a short while as he gazed at Micky. "We're lucky we get another shot at this. This time…this time, nothing's gonna come between us. I promise."
Micky slipped the ring onto his finger. He beamed as he looked at it, admiring how it looked on his hand. "It's perfect." He whispered.
"Just like you." Mike added.
Micky looked up at him. "Hey, I'm supposed to be the one with the cheesy lines, remember?"
Mike smiled and leaned in to kiss Micky gently on the lips. When Micky pulled back, his smile faded slightly. "I haven't got you anything." He said sadly.
"I don't need nothin'; I've got you. That's all I want." Mike replied.
"No, if I'm wearing a ring, you've got to wear one too." Micky said, his eyes lighting up as a thought popped into his head. "First thing tomorrow, I'm gonna get you a ring!"
"You don't have to, babe." Mike laughed.
"But I want to." Micky said seriously. "This is…this is perfect. Everything you said… I love you. I love you so fucking much, you big weirdo."
Mike laughed some more before looking out over the lake and sighing contently.
"I seriously... I seriously can't believe you got me a ring." Micky said, staring down at the ring on his finger. "I honestly don't even know what to say. Everything you said to me... it-it was perfect. I don't- I wish I could've done something for you. You've had this planned and I've just been chatting about the sky and the stars and stupid shit and you've had that ring in your pocket the whole time."
"It's okay, Micky." Mike smiled. He reached out and squeezed Micky's knee.
"No it's not." Micky shook his head. "I wish I had a ring for you. I will definitely get you one as soon as I can though. I promise."
Mike laughed. "Hey, I told you it's okay." He reassured him. "I didn't give it to you so I'd get one back. I just wanted to prove how much I love you."
"You didn't need to give me a ring for that, but I'm really glad you did because I think it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." Micky said softly. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. "It's not just the ring but the things you said, I... I can't believe you still want me and love me so much after- after everything I told you about myself and I just-"
Micky drew a shaky breath in, determined not to get too emotional and ruin the moment. Micky felt Mike squeeze his knee in comfort and support, and Micky blew out his breath as he looked up at the Texan again.
"You said you'd give me everything, but I'd give you everything, too." Micky continued after composing himself. "You're my rock, Mike. You give yourself a hard time over my baggage but I wish you wouldn't. Fuck, I wish you wouldn't. Because I have never blamed you for any of my issues and I never would. You are everything to me. You're the kindest and most selfless human being I have ever met. You have the biggest heart and I honestly don't know what I did to deserve you."
"Micky..." Mike said quietly.
"Don't be modest." Micky said, suddenly gaining confidence again. He grabbed hold of Mike's hand that was resting on his knee and squeezed it hard. "You're my world. You've fixed me. You made me feel special and new and clean and- and beautiful. And I didn't think I'd feel like any of those things again. You don't judge me. I was so scared you'd look at me differently after what I told you, but you don't. When you look at me I can see the love in your eyes and it- and it warms my heart. Like, it warms my entire body and soul and brain and I just- you say you don't know how to put into words how you feel about me, but I feel the same about you. You're beautiful. Inside and out you are beautiful. You're my man, and you're the only man I have ever wanted and the only man I will ever want. Even when I thought I had to give you up for good I accepted that nobody would ever compare to you."
Mike hung his head and Micky was fairly certain he saw tears shimmering in the Texan's eyes. Micky grabbed hold of Mike's chin and lifted his head so he could look at Mike's face, and he was right; there were tears in Mike's eyes.
"Don't cry." Micky whispered softly, tilting his head to the side as he gazed at the Texan adoringly.
"I ain't crying." Mike sniffed unconvincingly.
Micky felt a lump in his throat. "We've been through a lot." He said. His voice was wobbling but his words were strong.
Mike's eyes were fixed on Micky's. "We have." He nodded.
Micky slid his hand around the back of Mike's neck and he pressed his forehead against the Texan's.
"You're my world." Micky whispered as he closed his eyes.
Micky could feel a smile cover Mike's face, and he opened his eyes to confirm it.
There was a short silence before the Texan spoke. "That must mean you're my universe." Mike said with a hint of cheek.
Micky pulled back and let out a little laugh as he looked at his partner accusingly. "Hey," Micky sniffed, the tears that were threatening his eyes passing. "That's not fair. Nothing is bigger than the universe."
"That's why I said it." Mike smiled. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
"Well then you're my universe too." Micky beamed. He paused thoughtfully for a moment. "You're my universe and everything in it. All the planets, and the stars and the aliens and everything."
Mike laughed, opening his arms out to Micky. "Come here, weirdo." He said.
Micky leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Mike enthusiastically, and he squeezed hold of the Texan so hard he felt like he might crush him - but he didn't care. Micky was absolutely elated. He was happy enough before Mike had given him the ring and declared his undying love for him, but now Micky felt like he had wings. He felt like he could literally fly up and touch the stars above them.
"Uh, Mick..?" Mike said after a few moments, his voice a little muffled. "Are you tryin' to squash me to death, babe?"
Micky pulled back and cupped Mike's face in his hands. "I'm sorry." He said before pressing his lips to the Texan's in a quick kiss. "It's just you've made me the happiest person on earth."
"So you thought you'd squash me?" Mike joked.
Micky smacked Mike playfully - albeit rather hard - on the arm.
"Ow!" Mike laughed, rubbing his arm in response. "That hurt!"
"Good. It was meant to." Micky said in mock-seriousness. "I was trying to be serious!"
Mike tilted his head back and laughed to the sky before he looked at Micky again. Micky sat there trying not to laugh as he stuck his bottom lip out in a childlike-pout.
"I'm sorry, baby." Mike said, shuffling closer to his boy.
"I'll forgive you." Micky said as he looked down at the ring on his finger. "But only because you bought me this gorgeous, shiny ring."
Before Micky had a chance to say anything else, Mike caught him off guard by pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss that completely took his breath away.
When Mike eventually pulled back he stared at Micky with a look that was nothing short of hypnotic. Micky's eyes were fixed on the Texan's as his heart started to pound inside his chest.
Mike closed the gap between them again, locking his lips with Micky's in another deep kiss. This time, Micky had a chance to respond, and he wrapped his arms around Mike's neck as the slightly-taller man slowly slid his tongue into Micky's mouth.
Micky wasn't sure how it happened, but suddenly their clothes were gone. Mike and Micky had rid each other of their clothes so they were both now completely naked, out in the great-wide open with only the stars above them. The couple were kissing slowly and passionately, and the heat from the campfire was causing both men to sweat on the warm, early summer's evening - even though they were both now completely void of clothes.
Mike was on top of Micky, and after several minutes of their passionate embrace he slowly lifted his head as he seemed to gather his senses.
Micky stroked the side of Mike's face gently. "We can go in the campervan if you want." He said a little breathlessly.
Mike shook his head. "I can't think of a better way to end tonight than making love to you under the stars."
Micky's heart started to race even faster. "Are you sure?" He asked. "You're not worried that someone-"
"There's no one around." Mike interjected. "We're the only two people alive right now."
Micky smiled before pulling Mike into a fierce yet loving kiss. Micky felt such a rush of adrenaline, but it wasn't about the risk of being caught - like Mike had said, there was nobody around. It wasn't about that. Micky felt exhilarated. As Mike slowly and gently started to make love to him, Micky could hardly believe it was happening.
It was perfect. The crackling of the campfire and the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves and created tiny waves on the lake were like the most beautiful music to go along with Mike and Micky's heavy breathing and quiet moans. Micky couldn't help but think Mike was absolutely right; they really did feel like the only two people alive right now.
The sex was slow and sensual. The two men had their arms tightly wrapped around each other and their faces buried in each other's skin as the heat, love and passion built between them. The fact that there was only a blanket between them and the hard ground, and absolutely nothing between them and the world around them didn't matter; the couple were completely wrapped up in each other to the point where everything else slipped into insignificance.
It lasted ages - a lot longer than most of their recent, lust-filled sex. They each took the time to study each other's faces and the ways each of their bodies responded to certain movements. They gazed into each other's eyes and stroked each other's faces. Micky stared up at the night sky as Mike showered his chest in tiny kisses. Micky lightly run his fingers down Mike's back, from the bottom of his hairline right down to the base of his spine.
They lost their hands in each other's hair. They whispered their names into each other's ears. They let the cool breeze wash over them as they kissed slowly. And then they would stare into each other's eyes again until it all became too much, but they forced their eyes to remain locked on each other as the end arrived for them both at the exact same time.
When it was over, Mike and Micky remained on the blanket under the night sky. The blanket was big enough for them to fold over themselves, virtually rolling themselves up in the large, woolly blanket. They laid in silence, wrapped in each other's arms as well as the blanket, gazing up at the stars above them.
"I can't believe that just happened." Micky said with a voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe we just did that... outside."
Micky could tell Mike was smiling. "I can't either." Mike replied. "But gettin' back in the van wouldn't have felt right... it's a beautiful night. Being out here like this feels right."
Micky sighed contently. "You're right." He agreed. "Everything about that was incredible... I mean, our sex is always amazing, but that was something else."
Mike laughed quietly. "I agree with ya. That was pretty damn special."
The two men went silent again, and Micky closed his eyes in sleepy-contentment as a light breeze washed over their still sweaty bodies.
"You are happy, ain't ya Mick?" Mike asked after a minute or so.
Micky opened his eyes. "Do you really need to ask?"
"I don't just mean now," Mike replied. He lightly caressed Micky's naked shoulder. "What I mean is... you've been through a lot. A hell of a lot, actually. Everything that happened around Christmas... and then your accident. You've had a really rough time, and what I'm tryin' to say is if you ever feel down about it - any of it - you can talk to me."
Micky remained silent as he listened to the Texan's words.
"I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me about what you've been through." Mike continued. "I don't want you to worry about me gettin' upset or angry or uncomfortable or anythin'. Because while I hate to think of all the shit you've been through, I'd hate it even more if you didn't feel like you could confide in me. I know we haven't really discussed things since you told me- well, since you told me everythin', and that's okay. But if you ever need to, then... I'm here. I want you to know that 'cause I ain't sure if I've said it."
Micky was quiet for a little longer as he reflected on what Mike had said. "Thank you." He said sincerely.
"You don't need to thank me, babe." Mike said. "I just need you to know that I'm here for ya."
"I do know." Micky replied, squeezing his partner a little closer in assurance. "And I hope you know that, too. I know opening up has never been something that's easy for you, but I feel like you've come a long way since then."
"I have," Mike agreed. "And that's thanks to you. You taught me how to open my heart... I know now that it's okay to let my guard down and be vulnerable and sensitive... I feel like I can be totally myself around you. I can expose myself to you in ways I've never been able to expose myself to anyone else, and... and I'm a better man for it."
Micky smiled, planting a small kiss on the Texan's chest. "I think we've both come a long way."
"We have." Mike nodded. He was silent for a moment. "I was so sure you were gonna make a joke about me exposing myself to you."
Micky laughed as he lifted his head to look at Mike's face. "Do you really think I have such a dirty mind?" He asked.
Mike chuckled quietly. "You tell me."
Micky smiled before resting his head again. "I love you."
"I love you too." Mike said. "And I like that we can be honest with each other. Because not only are you my life partner, but you're my best friend too."
Micky lifted his head again. "Life partner?" He asked softly.
"Yeah..." Mike blushed. "That's right, ain't it? What else would you call it?"
"Nothing," Micky shook his head as a warm smile touched his lips. "It's just really nice to hear you say that. I like it."
"Well it's true." Mike matched Micky's smile. "You're my partner and you will be for the rest of my life."
Micky grinned before resting his head on Mike's chest again. "Life partners." He repeated quietly to myself.
Mike's chin was resting on the top of Micky's head, and Micky could feel the Texan smiling as the two men slipped into a short, content silence again.
"This is my favourite place in the whole world." Micky said after about a minute, still snuggled into Mike's chest. "I can't wait to bring Ami here when she's a little older. Maybe we could bring the boys, too. Have a real family day out." He paused. "I know we're not technically a family, but... well, I kinda feel like we are. In our own special way."
"You're my family." Mike said, his hand lost in Micky's hair like it had been a thousand times before. "You, the boys and Ami... you're all I need."
Micky cuddled closer to the Texan, and he lifted his hand to admire his ring in the firelight. "I'm never taking this off. This ring is never leaving my finger."
Mike laced his fingers with Micky's. "I was worried you'd think it was dumb or somethin'." He said.
Micky lifted his head so he could look at his partner's face. "Did you honestly think that?"
Mike shook his head. "No... I guess not. But I was still real nervous about givin' it to ya though. That's why I kept goin' quiet earlier." He said. "I'd sorta forget about it and then I'd remember the reason why I wanted us to come here and then I'd feel nervous... I dunno why. It seems silly thinking about it now."
Micky smiled at Mike before resting his head again. "I didn't expect it." He said thoughtfully. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Last week," Mike replied. "After we had that row... Well, I know it weren't a row exactly, but after Davy caught us n'all that... When I went for that drive I just found myself thinkin' about how much I wanted to prove to you that I'm serious about you. I mean, it's like I said before, I know you know I love ya, it's just... Well, I can't exactly propose to ya, can I? But this was the next best thing."
"So you'd propose to me if we could get married?" Micky asked gently.
There was a short silence. "I would." Mike replied. "But the world's gotta do a whole lot of changin' before that'll ever be an option."
"I hope one day it is." Micky said, his mind drifting off in wonder. "Not that it matters. Like you said, we don't need a piece of paper to prove how we feel about each other. And this ring," He held his hand up to admire the ring again. "This ring symbolises so much. And yours will too, once I get it for you. It'll be like our special little secret. We'll both be wearing these rings that speak so much to each other but say nothing to anyone else."
"Because we're the only ones that matter." Mike chipped in.
"Exactly." Micky agreed. "I'm starting to realise I don't need the whole world to know about us. What we have already is pretty damn fine as it is."
"But you still wanna tell your family at some point?" Mike wondered.
"I think so. If that's okay with you." Micky said, lifting his head again. "I just want my family and my mom especially to know how happy I am. Outside of them it doesn't really matter."
Mike smiled as he gazed up at the curly-haired man hovering above him. "Well that sounds okay to me." He said. "Whatever happens, you have my support."
"Thank you." Micky said sincerely. "Thank you for everything. Tonight has been absolutely perfect."
"It has been pretty special." Mike agreed.
Micky kissed the Texan gently on the lips. "You really have made me the happiest man on earth. I hope you know that."
"I'm glad." Mike said. "Because I'm gonna spend the rest of my life making sure you always feel that way. And just so you know, you've made me the happiest man on earth too."
"So we're the joint-happiest men on earth then?" Micky asked innocently.
Mike's smile grew. "Totally." He said. "And as long as we're together, that's the way we're always gonna be."
-END-