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“I’m so nervous. Why am I nervous?”

“I have no idea, lover. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll say yes.”

“I know. I guess I want it to go perfectly.”

“It will. Relax.” I grab Des’s arm and pull him onto my lap while we wait for Liam to get home.

He didn’t tell us where he was going today, just that he had an errand, but it worked out. It gave us time to prepare to ask him the question we should’ve asked years ago.

The front door opens, and I laugh at the sound of Liam kicking off his shoes and barreling down the hallway. He enters the room, sliding on his socks. His cheeks are flushed and he’s got the biggest grin on his face.

“It’s mine,” he says.

“What’s yours?” Des asks, standing.

“Entrée. I thought the meeting was about the new menu changes, but Gerard decided to retire early. He hasn’t been the same since the accident, and he recommended to the owners that I take over as executive chef.”

“Oh my god.” I’m on my feet, across the room, and swinging him around as he laughs. “Congratulations!”

Des smiles, wiping damp eyes. “You earned this.”

“Thanks.” Liam drags his hand through his hair. “I know I worked my ass off for this, but it’s hard to believe it’s finally happening. All of this. My life couldn’t be any better.”

Des looks at me and smiles, giving me a subtle nod. “Are you sure about that?”

“What do you mean?”

Des walks over to stand beside me, and after a quick glance, we both kneel. Liam’s face goes blank as I pull the small black box from my front pocket.

“Liam, we can’t imagine our lives without you. We got a glimpse of that once, and yeah, not gonna happen again.”

“Nope,” Des says. “We want to make sure you understand that you’re a part of us completely. If we could do it legally we would, but in the meantime, will you accept this ring and be our partner for life?”

“You’re…” Liam steps forward slowly. “You’re asking me to…”

“Marry us?” I fill in. “Be ours forever. We’re already yours.”

He drops to his knees. “I’m already yours too. Of course I accept your ring.”

I put the ring on his left hand while Des pulls the two matching rings out of his pocket and passes them to Liam. With shaky hands, he puts mine on, then Des’s.

“This has turned out to be one helluva day,” Liam says. “How should we celebrate?”

“We have a few ideas.” Des grins.

“Lead the way, lovers.”