Fic: you snuck your way right into my heart (Part 3/3)
***
Brooke cornered David in the parking lot Monday morning. “Care to tell me what made you miss church yesterday?”
David sighed and continued walking towards the building. “Cook ended up staying the night on Saturday and I thought it would be rude to leave while he was sleeping or to wake him up and kick him out. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Brooke raised an eyebrow. “Not that big of a deal? Cook stayed the night. That’s huge, David. Isn’t that moving a little fast though?”
“Wait, what? What are… Oh, gosh! Cook slept on the couch, Brooke!”
Brooke snorted. “Well, that’s a lousy end to a date.”
“It wasn’t a date,” David said defensively. “I told you, I turned him down.”
“Sure sounds like it was a date,” she sing-songed. With that, Brooke turned down the hallway leading to her classroom. “Think about it, David.”
***
It was Tuesday afternoon which meant that it was time for his favorite class. David knew he wasn’t supposed to have favorites but there was just something about this class; he couldn’t really identify what it was but for some reason, he adored them maybe a little bit more than the rest of his classes. It absolutely had nothing to do with their teacher, nothing at all. He looked up from where he was pulling out the hand instruments when he heard the door opening, smile already breaking out across his face. His smile only grew wider as he took in the sight before him. “What is all this?” he asked, waving a hand in front of him, as though it weren’t obvious what he was talking about.
Cook grinned and looked as though he were five years old himself. “Dr. Seuss’s birthday is March 2nd and I thought we’d celebrate by dedicating a whole week to his stories. Today we read The Cat in the Hat, as I’m sure you can tell.”
“I definitely can,” he answered, taking in all the red and white striped paper hats adorning the children’s (and Cook’s) heads. “It looks like you guys have had fun today.”
There was a chorus of “Yeah!” followed by several voices asking “Do you like my hat, Mr. Archuleta?” all at once. “Absolutely,” David said. “I love all of your hats! They look amazing.”
“Tell him about his surprise, Mr. Cook!” Sandy said, tugging on Cook’s pants as she bounced on the balls of her feet, causing her hat to sway precariously on her head.
“I have a surprise? What kind of a surprise?” David looked at Cook, curiosity getting the better of him. David suddenly realized that Cook hadn’t taken his hands out from behind his back the entire conversation, which meant he had to be holding whatever the surprise was.
“Well, it was the kids’ idea but I ended up being the one to make it,” Cook hedged.
“Come on, Mr. Cook! Just show it to him!” Jade urged, her face lit up with excitement.
“We made you your very own Cat in the Hat hat,” Cook told him, showing him what he had been holding behind his back. With a grin that Cook returned, David took the hat from him and placed it on his own head.
“Do you like it, Mr. Archuleta?” Blake asked.
“I love it,” he answered, eyes still on Cook. “Thank you.”
***
David bit his lip as he listened to the phone ring, praying that Cook would answer. He didn’t know what the other man’s plans were that weekend and there really was no telling where he could be on a beautiful Saturday afternoon like the one David could see through the window. When the phone went to Cook’s voicemail he hung up and dialed the number again. On the third ring he heard a sleepy, confused-sounding “Hello?”
“Cook!”David cried in relief.
“David?” Cook’s voice sounded instantly more awake. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Maybe?” David answered and couldn’t quite keep the quiver out of his voice.
“Maybe?” Cook parroted back. “What the hell does ‘maybe’ mean and why don’t I like the sound of that?”
“It means,” David trailed off and took a breath to steady himself. “It means that I kind of wrecked my car and I’m a little shaken up by it.”
“You what? The full story this time, please, David.”
“I was driving home from the store and somehow my tire blew while I was on the overpass and I only stopped spinning because my car hit the concrete barrier?” David said in a rush, almost as if he didn’t want Cook to catch it all.
“You what?! Are you hurt? Where are you? Do I need to come get you?”
“I’m okay. I’m not hurt, just a little shook up, I promise,” he answered, trying to make his tone as soothing as possible, remembering Cook’s high blood pressure and not wanting to add to the problem. “I’m sitting in the Starbucks near Paddy’s and, uh, yes, please?”
“Okay, sit tight, I’m on my way,” Cook promised and David could hear rustling on Cook’s end of the line as he presumably found his keys and wallet. “Do you want me to stay on the phone with you? You know, to keep your mind off of things?”
“That’s not really necessary,” David thought about saying before rethinking that idea and answering with a mild, “Yes, please?”
“You’ve got it.” David heard the distinct rumble of Cook’s car starting and the radio being quickly shut off as Cook spoke. Cook asked questions like what he went to the store for and how his family is doing in obvious attempts to distract David. When all of David’s answers began to consist of five words or less, Cook stopped asking and began telling David stories about what happened in his class the week before. David was grateful for the mindless distraction, always amused at the stories that come out of Cook’s classroom.
Cook was in the middle of a story about Eddie and Stacy and a handful of markers when David spotted his car pulling into the Starbucks parking lot from where he was pacing next to the wide window at the front of the store. David quickly turned and rushed out the door, hanging up his cell phone when he saw Cook opening his car door. They met in the middle of the sidewalk between the building and the parking lot, Cook pulling David into a hug that he doesn’t have the energy, or the inclination, to pull away from. Cook was murmuring things like “Don’t you ever scare me like that again” and “So glad you’re okay” into David’s hair and all he could do was hold on, face buried in the crook of Cook’s neck and hands fisted in the back of his shirt, his nerves finally beginning to calm down, heart no longer racing.
A few minutes passed before Cook moved to let go of David. Strangely reluctant to, David mirrored his actions, taking another steadying breath now that his heart rate was under control. Cook leaned back far enough to look David in the eye. “Are you ready to go home?”
David nodded silently, moving towards Cook’s car, his plastic bag from his trip to the store hanging from one hand. A minute later Cook turned back onto the highway from the lot, the radio once again turned on, and the volume on low, just loud enough to break the silence in the car. When they stopped at a red light on the frontage road, Cook began laughing softly. “…do I want to know?” David asked hesitantly, noticing the slight smile on Cook’s face.
“Oh, nothing, nothing,” Cook said, waving a hand dismissively. “I was just thinking that this makes me your knight in shining armor. You make quite the attractive damsel in distress, just so you know.”
David scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I thought knights in shining armor were supposed to be attractive. I think I need to sue someone for false advertising,” he retorted, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards before breaking into a fit of (maybe slightly hysterical) giggles at Cook’s indignant expression.
“I will have you know that I am highly attractive, thank you very much.”
“And modest too,” David added, his good humor slowly returning the longer he spent with Cook.
“Most definitely,” Cook agreed.
David chuckled again before sobering. “In all seriousness though, thank you Cook. This means a lot to me.”
Cook took his eyes off the road to glance at David. “Anytime, David. Just…next time, try not to scare the shit out of me. If you want me to rescue you, all you have to do is ask.”
David smiled at Cook. “I’ll remember that.”
***
David sighed as he hung up the phone before scrubbing a hand through his hair. He walked out of his bedroom where he’d gone for privacy to see Cook still sitting where he’d left him sprawled on David’s couch, flipping through the channels. “Hey, Cook?” Cook made a quiet noise to let David know he was listening, continuing his search for something to watch. “You know what you said about being my knight in shining armor and that I just needed to ask next time?”
“Yeeees,” Cook answered, dragging out the word as if he wasn’t really sure he wanted to know where this was going.
“Could you consider this me asking? I talked to the insurance company and the rent-a-car company and since I’m under 25 they want to charge a premium because, apparently, if you’re under 25, you’re much more likely to be a reckless driver? I’m not quite sure on their logic. Anyway, uh, if possible, I’d like to avoid that so do you think you could maybe give me a ride to and from work until I get my car sorted out? I’d give you gas money to help out but don’t feel like you have to say yes or anything. I understand that it’s a lot to ask so it’s okay if you say no-“ By this point David had begun pacing across his small living room, gesticulating wildly.
“David,” Cook interrupted hands held up in front of him in a pacifying manner. “I’ll do it. Calm down. It’s not that far out of my way to come pick you up in the morning and drop you off in the afternoon, I promise.”
David looked at Cook hopefully. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Positive,” Cook assured him. “Now come here and watch Nemo with me. You need to relax.”
David felt the corner of his mouth creep up as he walked to the couch and dropped onto the spot Cook had patted beside him. “This still isn’t a date.”
Cook waved his hand at David. “Yeah, yeah, rub it in. One day, Archuleta, one day you won’t be able to resist my charms anymore and you’ll say yes.”
“One day, maybe, but not today,” he retorted, smirking at Cook before laughing happily and bumping his shoulder companionably against Cook’s.
***
David looked up from his lesson plan book as he heard Cook walk into the teachers’ lounge muttering to himself. He did a double take and blinked three times before deciding that he wasn’t seeing things and involuntarily burst out laughing. His eyes widened (rude much?) and he slapped a hand over his mouth, sobering instantly as Cook made his way over to where David was sitting.
“What…” David trailed off as he looked up at an inexplicably purple Cook. “What happened to you?”
“We’re studying the five senses this week and I had the bright idea that we should paint with ice cubes when we discussed the sense of touch because, you know, cold.”
David nodded; it made sense to him so far. “Seems logical though that still doesn’t explain why you’re imitating a grape.”
Cook rubbed the back of his neck leaving a purple streak and might have blushed though it was hard to tell through the purple tint. “There was a little powdered tempera paint incident. All I know for sure is that I’m never going to get this out of my clothes and Kelly’s mother is going to hate me forever because her daughter is going home today looking like a purple people eater.”
David’s mouth opened and shut itself a few times as he attempted to respond but couldn’t seem to come up with anything adequate. Finally he blurted out, “At least you look good in purple?”
Smooth, David, real smooth. He hazarded a look up at Cook through his lashes to discover that the older man was biting his lower lip and shaking with silent laughter. David wasn’t sure he really wanted to know because he’d learned that sometimes with Cook, it was just better to be kept in the dark but he worked up his nerve anyway. “What’s so funny?”
“At least I look good in purple?” Cook parroted back between chuckles. “I’ll show you who looks good in purple!”
David had a split second to react, shoving his lesson plan book out of harm’s way, before Cook was on him, pulling him into a massive bear hug and refusing to let go despite David’s pleas, effectively covering him in the purple powder. Cook (finally!) released David and stood back to survey his handiwork. He frowned tapping his index finger against his chin, leaving another purple smudge on the skin under his beard as he tried to figure out what was missing from his masterpiece.
“Oh, my heck! Did you really have to do that?!” David looked up from surveying the sad state of his clothes (This was his favorite shirt! What was Cook thinking?!) to see Cook still looking at him thoughtfully; David’s gaze followed him warily before Cook’s eyes lit up and an evil grin spread across his face. While David stumbled backwards over his chair trying to get away from Cook and whatever horrible idea he’d thought up, the other man swiped a hand through the powder still clinging to his shirt before grabbing an arm to steady David and reaching around to smack his…his rear.
Satisfied, Cook stood back and admired the fruits of his efforts. “You know,” he said solicitously, mouth quirking up in a half-smile, “You really do look good in purple.”
David glanced up from where he was craning his neck to look at Cook’s handprint on his trousers. “I really hate you,” he answered pitifully.
“But I looooooove you,” Cook said back, fluttering his eyes flirtatiously in David’s direction.
A cough from across the room made both of the men jump, breaking the playful moment. David snuck a look across the room at Danielle while Cook stared openly at her. “What?” he asked.
She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Get a room already. The rest of us are tired of watching you flirt,” she said, her tone of voice leaving no question of her ill mood.
Cook rolled his eyes before turning back to David. “You all done here?” David nodded as he stooped to retrieve his lesson plan book from where it had landed on the floor. “Then, as always, your chariot awaits.” Cook made a sweeping gesture toward the door.
David gifted Cook with a longsuffering stare. “You keep this up and I’m finding someone else to give me a ride until my car is better.”
“And miss out on my sparkling wit? You wouldn’t!” Cook clutched his heart dramatically. “I’m hurt, Archuleta. Wounded, really.”
“You’ll get over it,” David deadpanned before leading the way out of the room, not even looking to see if Cook was following.
***
David worried his lower lip with his teeth as he tried to work up the courage to call Cook. He really wasn’t sure why he was so nervous about it, except for the fact that he felt awkward asking the other man to give him a ride so that he could go grocery shopping. After the second deleted text message, he’d decided it would probably be easier to just call him. Which was true, except for how it wasn’t. Shaking his head at himself, he quickly hit the button for Cook on his speed dial before he could change his mind again.
Cook answered on the second ring, clearly half-asleep. “David? It’s Spring Break. Why are you even awake?”
“It’s 9:30, Cook! Why are you still asleep?”
Cook’s frown was audible. “It’s Spring Break, David. You’re supposed to sleep in and be lazy all week.”
“Oh, uh, in that case, never mind. Go back to sleep,” David said, flapping his free hand in a “go on” motion even though Cook couldn’t see it.
“Wait, David,” Cook said before David could hang up the phone. “What did you need?”
“Nothing important,” David tried.
“Uh-uh, that’s not gonna work. Let’s try this again. What do you need, David?”
“A ride to the grocery store?” David said, once again cursing his car. “Like I said, it’s not that important, you can go back to sleep.”
“Oh, no you don’t. I can’t possibly let Mr. Archuleta starve to death over Spring Break. My class would never forgive me. Give me 30 minutes and I’ll be there,” Cook said before yawning loudly. “On second thought, make that an hour.”
It turned out that grocery shopping with Cook was definitely an experience. David had tried to tell him that he could wait in the car or go run whatever other errands he needed to and Cook had continually refused, saying he’d rather walk around the grocery store with David. Cook kept attempting to sneak things into David’s basket, things that David either didn’t want or didn’t need- everything from Froot Loops (Cook had been scandalized when he realized David didn’t actually like that kind of cereal) to trashy romance novels (“Seriously, David? You’ve never even read one? You don’t know what you’re missing out on. These things are hilarious.”). When he wasn’t trying to sneak things into David’s basket, he was busy trying to sneak them out muttering things like “Why do you need spinach? That stuff is nasty!” If shopping with Cook was anything like shopping with children, David was beginning to see why his mother had always insisted on going to the grocery store by herself.
“What’s next?” Cook asked as they put the last of David’s groceries away. He leaned on the counter flipping through his newest book, Cinderella on His Doorstep. (“Once upon a time there was a girl who shied away from the limelight…. Until she arrived at Château de Belles Fleurs and became the star of her own real-life fairy tale…. Dana is stunned when the gorgeous château owner, Alex Martin, notices her. She might not have a fairy godmother but she'll show Alex that there's a confident, vibrant woman waiting to burst out of Dana Lofgren!” He’d read laughing from the back. “Doesn’t that sound like a winner, David?”)
David had shrugged. “I’ve finished what I needed to get done.”
“I’m going to be lame but I actually enjoy them. Do you have any board games?” Cook had asked.
“Maybe a few?” David frowned. “I don’t remember what my mom sent with me.” A look in the hall closet revealed Monopoly and Clue. “Well, you can’t really play Clue with just two people. Are you up for a game of Monopoly?”
Their game of Monopoly had ended up taking hours. David had wanted to give up several times, but Cook kept insisting that they needed to finish it, that it was important for some reason. They took breaks to stretch their legs and to eventually cook and eat dinner using David’s newly bought groceries. By the time Cook finally gave up on insisting that they finish the game, it was horribly late and David insisted that Cook stay the night again. Cook had tried to refuse but yawned halfway through and finally gave into David’s demands.
***
Thursday Brooke surprised David, knocking at his door in the early afternoon and inviting herself inside once he opened the door. “Come on, get presentable,” she prodded looking pointedly at his old, raggedy pajama pants.
“I’m almost sure I don’t want to know but why?”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have a diabolical plan, David, I just want to go to a movie. I didn’t want to go by myself though and I thought you’d like to go with me since I haven’t seen you all week.”
She had a point, it didn’t exactly sound diabolical but knowing Brooke, it easily could be. “Give me ten minutes,” he said before disappearing into his bedroom in search of more appropriate clothes. When he returned, he found Brooke sitting on his couch, reading what looked like one of those trashy romance novels that Cook was trying to get him to read earlier in the week.
“Something you want to tell me, David?” she asked holding it up so he could see the title. It was Cook’s trashy romance novel. “Since when do you read Harlequins?”
“I don’t,” he answered. “Cook does. He bought it earlier this week and must have left it here.”
“Oooh.” Her face lit up. “Cook is leaving stuff at your place now?”
David felt his eyebrows scrunch as he tried to figure out where she was going with that. “No? He took me to the grocery store on Monday because I was out of food. He kept trying to hide romance novels in my cart and I kept telling him I didn’t want them so he bought it. I guess he forgot it though.”
Brooke looked positively gleeful by the time David finished talking. “You went grocery shopping together? That’s so domestic of you. Why aren’t you dating again? You two make such a cute old married couple and you know it.”
“No we don’t,” David argued. “Don’t we have a movie to catch?”
“You’re so cute when you get flustered,” Brooke teased as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
David really wasn’t sure what movie they saw by the time it finished, he was so wrapped up in his own thoughts. The more he thought about it, the more Brooke was right. He and Cook were practically dating already, by most people’s definitions. They liked each other, they spent Valentine’s together, Cook rescued him when his car stranded him, and they had spent a good portion of Spring Break together between the grocery shopping on Monday, the movie marathon on Tuesday (David’s pop culture education was apparently Cook’s mission now), and the bowling on Wednesday. By the time Cook dropped him off Friday night after Paddy’s night, David had made his decision. After all, faint heart never won fair maiden or something like that, anyway.
Cook walked David to his door, as had become their habit whenever it was either Cook or David’s turn to drive, Cook telling David a story about his first guitar. When he finished, he paused as if unsure what to say next. David took that as his cue and leaned up to brush a chaste kiss against his lips.
“David, what?” Cook asked. “I mean, not that I’m not over the moon right now, but what are you doing?”
David shrugged. “Everyone thinks we’re dating and we practically are anyway so we might as well enjoy ourselves.” An impish smile grew across his face. “Anyway, aren’t you the one who was always telling me that one day your charms would wear me down?”
Cook pretended to preen. “It was my ruggedly handsome good looks, I’m sure.”
David laughed. “If you say so. I need to get some sleep so I’ll see you when you pick me up on Monday.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Cook replied beaming before leaning in to kiss David on the cheek. “Good night, David.”
***
Much to David’s surprise, things didn’t actually change that much after that night, just little things. Little things like the fact that David could hold Cook’s hand in the teachers’ lounge or that Cook would give him a kiss after lunch before they had to go back to class, that more often than not, they would have dinner together when Cook drove David home. Two weeks after they had begun dating, Cook declared that they needed to go on an “official date”. Amused, David had agreed.
Cook’s idea of an “official date” appeared to be the zoo which charmed David. It made sense when put in context of Cook’s pseudo-dates that he had taken David on- the several to the mini-golf course, the bowling alley, even the museum when they had an exhibit on Studio Ghibli (one that David had been dying to see but hadn’t told anyone about it, though Cook somehow figured it out and had even bought him a miniature stuffed Totoro to commemorate the trip). David did have to admit that he was more than a little confused as to why Cook was pushing that the aquarium had to be their first stop, but he figured there was no harm in humoring the other man. Once in the aquarium, Cook steered David over to the tropical fish tank.
“Ta-da!” Cook said, gesturing at the tank.
David felt his brow crinkle. “Ta-da? I don’t get it.”
Cook’s smile grew impish and he pointed at the clown fish swimming near the bottom of the tank. “It’s Nemo. It’s not officially a date until Nemo is involved. Now Nemo is involved and this is officially a date. No backing out now, Archuleta. You’re stuck with me.”
David closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. “You’re deranged, you know this, right?”
“Yep!” Cook’s grin had grown when David opened his eyes. “Just remember, you’re the one who agreed to date me!” Cook cackled as he grabbed David’s hand and led him through the winding passages out of the aquarium. “Now for a real exhibit. Let’s go!”
By the end of the day, David was tired but happy, curled up on his couch with Cook watching yet another movie. “Such an old married couple already,” he could hear Brooke’s voice saying but he really didn’t care, content to be where he was and he said as much to Cook.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Cook said, his hand still rubbing circles on David’s back as he pressed a kiss to the younger man’s forehead.
***
Once mid-April hit, the talk about summer vacation and what everyone had planned for it really began to take off. The teachers’ lounge was full of discussions about who was taking their kids to DisneyWorld that summer, who was getting a second job to make up for the lack of income summer meant for teachers, who was simply going to take the summer off and be lazy. Carly had decided on going back to Ireland for about a month to visit her family since it had been a few years, Brooke was going to Arizona to visit for a few weeks then she was going to work in the bookstore that she apparently always worked at during the summer.
Michael was firmly in the “summer is a time for being lazy and you will not catch me lifting a finger to work” category while Cook maintained he wasn’t sure yet. Brooke made sure to tell David that she was sure it was because Cook was waiting to see what David was doing. David didn’t think she was right but to each their own. No matter how hard anybody tried to pry David’s summer plans from him, he kept insisting that he wanted to make sure they were going to happen before he told anyone.
***
Dishes safely put away in his dishwasher David returned to the living room and collapsed on the couch next to Cook. Cook lifted his arm and David snuggled in close, leaning his head on Cook’s chest sighing contently. Cook kissed the top of David’s head before leaning his head on the spot. “You okay, babe?”
David nodded drowsily. “It was just a hard week. All of the kids were ready for summer vacation, especially the fifth graders since they’re going to a new school in a few months. Honestly, as much as I’ve loved this year, I’m glad that it’s summer vacation.”
“About that,” Cook said conversationally, “Are you ever going to tell me what you have planned for this summer? Every time I’ve asked for the past few months all you’ve ever told me is that you weren’t sure yet. Have you made up your mind?”
David pulled away and sat up so he could see Cook’s face. “Well, I was thinking about driving to Utah and spending some time there.”
Cook’s face fell slightly before he forced a slight smile. “That will be fun. I’m sure your family will be overjoyed to have you for the summer.”
David smirked slightly. “I said I’d spend some time there. I’ve also heard Missouri is nice this time of year. Though I’d need someone to show me around….” he trailed off, waiting for Cook to catch on.
“Wait, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
David nodded. “My family can’t wait to meet you and I would love to meet your family.” He paused as if a thought had just occurred to him. “That is…if you want to… I guess it’s kind of sudden since we’ve only been dating a few months--”
Cook cut David off as he gathered him into his arms, burying his face in his boyfriend’s neck. “I would love that, more than I can say.”
***
One Year Later
The last bell of the year, the one that released the kids to enjoy all the fun summer had to offer, had just finished sounding and, while David was sad to see the year end, he was also excited for what the summer had in store for him. He and Cook had been together for a little over a year now and everything was perfect, as far as David was concerned. Caught up in his musings, David jumped as his pocket vibrated. He quickly fished it out to look at it, breaking into a smile as he read the name on the display- Cook. He pushed the button to open the message which was short and to the point. “Meet me in my classroom. Five minutes.” Confused but curious to find out what his boyfriend had planned now he quickly texted back his assent. David finished cleaning the little bit that he had left out in his classroom, putting the jingle bells and the triangles away in their cabinet before heading back to his desk. He checked the clock on his cell phone; sure it had been five minutes. The clock assured him it had only been three. “By the time I get over there it will have been five minutes, right?” David mused out loud to himself, curiosity getting the better of him.
David gathered his few things that needed to go home with him and headed out of his classroom pausing only to lock the door. He made his way across the school to the kindergarten hallway and paused outside of Cook’s classroom, glancing at his phone again to confirm that it had been the mandated five minutes. He cracked the door open and called through the crack, “Cook, it’s me. Can I come in?”
He heard a deep sigh before Cook answered. “Yeah, come on in, babe.” David opened the door the rest of the way and walked in, smiling at his boyfriend who was standing in the corner of the classroom, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Cook returned David’s smile, though there was something slightly reserved about it.
“What’s the big surprise?” David asked walking over to his boyfriend and giving him a quick kiss. Cook’s smile became slightly more genuine. “See for yourself,” he said gesturing at the low table next to them.
David glanced at the table before staring open mouthed at his boyfriend. “Cook…what…” he trailed off.
“I know this was kind of a dorky way for me to ask but it felt appropriate and I mean it,” Cook said quickly, looking intently into the younger man’s eyes. “Will you?”
David looked back down at the table where Cook had used the wooden alphabet blocks from one of his learning centers to spell out “Will you marry me?” then to the ring box clasped in Cook’s hand. David gazed at the man in front of him. Was he ready for this? “It’s not even legal here…” David protested weakly, words and emotions flying around inside of him, making it hard to think.
Cook gave a small chuckle. “Is that your only protest? In that case, we can run away to Canada or to another state that does allow gay marriage or we could go to the courthouse and have a civil union, whatever label you want to use. I don’t care what you call it. All I know, David, is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don’t even care how many showings of Finding Nemo that means for my future.”
A small smile crept across David’s face. He took in Cook’s hopeful yet fearful expression as he thought. The love and affection Cook felt for him showed clearly in his eyes and the longer he took to answer the older man, the more Cook chewed on his lower lip anxiously. Was he ready for this? There really was only one answer, always had been since the first time Cook had asked him out. “Yes,” he answered voice strong and laughed happily as Cook swept him up in his arms, kissing him for all he was worth before placing the simple silver band on his ring finger.