Page 49 of Soothe Me, Daddy

Everyone cheered. Lewis indicated for Arianne to go first as she stood to his left. After that, each person had their turn, some stumbling with things to say, some glowing with happiness, some unsure, but each managed to say something.

By the time it came around to Henley’s turn, Isaac had begun to sweat. Typically, Lewis had started at the opposite side of the circle to what they were on, so he’d had to wait for almost everyone else before it got to him.

“I made my first piece of clothing over the last couple of weeks. And I’m happy with how it turned out. I have decided to make a few more pieces before seeing if this is something I want to take further.”

Everyone clapped, and Isaac kissed the side of his head. With Henley’s flair for design, Isaac had suggested he make some of his own items when he’d once pouted about something not fitting right. Henley had brushed it off until one day they’d revisited the conversation, and Henley had agreed to give it a go. Eventually, Henley was going to get some advice about where to market it because, although they worked in the clothing sector, uniforms were slightly different from more unique and one-off items.

Then it was Isaac’s turn. Heart pounding, he said, “Everyone knows I struggled with what to say when I first started doing these. It’s difficult to remember the things that went well and so easy to focus on the bad things. But with Henley by my side, that scale is tipping in the other direction, finally.” He inhaled and stepped forward, turning to face Henley, whose eyebrows rose. “Henley is the light in my darkness. Every day, he encourages me to be a better person as I do for him. And because of that…” Isaac lowered to one knee, fumbling to remove the box from his pocket as a gasp went around the circle. “I would like to ask Henley to marry me.” Isaac opened the purple velvet box as Henley’s hands covered his mouth, and his eyes widened. “Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

Henley nodded over and over, tears sliding down his face. He dropped to his knees in front of Isaac, gaze on the ring. Isaac had commissioned a ring that was pure Henley: a white gold band, representing Isaac, being grey and all, and slithers of coloured gems all around the band, to represent Henley and all his many wonderful attributes. When Isaac had seen the result, he’d been so overwhelmed thathe’dcried.

Now, he pulled the ring from its box, dropped the box to the floor and grasped Henley’s hand. Finding his ring finger, Isaac slid the band to the base before pressing a kiss to it amidst cheering and whistling from the guests.

“Oh my god!” Henley’s wet gaze flicked from his hand to Isaac’s face and back again. He couldn’t seem to decide where to look.

Henley threw his arms around Isaac’s neck and held him tight, sobbing his heart out. It was a good thing Isaac knew Henley well enough to know they were happy tears. As people broke free of the circle to congratulate them, they were surrounded by all the people who loved them.

“Yay! A wedding to organise! Are you going to make your outfit, Henley?” Arianne nudged her way into their space, kissing their cheeks.

“Oh god! I don’t think I could! Talk about stressful!” Henley laughed, wiping his eyes.

“You look a hot mess.” Arianne turned to Isaac. “I’m going to borrow yourfiancéfor a moment to get him looking his best. Be right back!” She waved her fingers at Isaac as she pulled Henley away.

Although Isaac would’ve loved for Henley to stay with him, he knew Arianne was taking Henley to speak with his sisters and dads, probably to make sure he was alright with everything that had happened. That was the only reason why Isaac wouldn’t complain.

They had the rest of their lives to make up for a few missing minutes.

Isaac’s parents finally made their way over to him, laughing about not being able to get to them before Henley was whisked away.

“I’m so happy for you, darling,” his mum said, giving him one of those big hugs that a child was never too old for.

“Thanks, Mum.” Isaac turned to his dad, who clapped his shoulder.

“Nicely done. You take care of him, now, okay?” he said, laughing.

“Already do, Dad. Already do.” Isaac didn’t mention how he took care of Henley. A few close people knew the finer details about their relationship but not everyone. Henley had agreed he didn’t feel right calling Isaac, “Daddy,” in front of family, so they’d decided that was a hard limit, although occasionally it had slipped out unintentionally. They weren’t worried, though. “Have you heard any news from Felicity?” His sister had been called by their surrogate, Shelby, and told to go there as she thought she was having contractions. The baby was due any time now, and Felicity and Van had gone to see her. They were all going to go to the hospital as soon as they had news about whether Shelby was in labour or not.

“No, nothing yet,” his mum said.

Half an hour later, Isaac was wondering where they all were when he saw Henley hustling towards him. His makeup had been redone, and he looked as gorgeous as ever. Isaac didn’t mind whether Henley wore makeup or not, it was whatever Henley wanted to do.

When Henley stopped in front of him, biting his lip, Isaac grew concerned. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I…” Henley exhaled, nodded and inhaled again. “You beat me to the punch earlier. I hadn’t planned on proposing today, but I had the ring ready for when I did. I sent Ariel to go get it for me.” Isaac’s eyebrows rose as Henley lifted his hand. “I don’t know if it’s going to fit but…” Henley opened his fingers, showing a white gold band with a yellow gold stripe around the edge.

Now it was Isaac’s turn to be shocked. His smile grew as Henley reached for Isaac’s hand and slid the ring on his finger. It was a little loose, but they could get that altered, no problem.

“Thank you, sweet boy.” He cupped Henley’s face, staring into his eyes, and pressed kisses to his forehead, his nose, each cheek and his lips. After, he smoothed his hands around Henley’s back and crushed him to his chest. Their first kiss as fiancés.

They pulled apart when a throat cleared right next to them. Isaac blinked a couple of times before focusing on Dad and Pops. “Congratulations, boys. I know you will be very happy.”

“Thank you, Dad, Pops.” Henley gave them each a soft hug before Isaac followed suit.

“And you’ve made us happy, too,” Pops said, smiling at Lewis as he held onto him.

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