Page 108 of Addicted

“Yep. I thought he’d be too excited to sleep but the party wore him out.” Owen placed a kiss on Liam’s temple. “It was such a success. We should do this every year.”

“We should. Although I think it won’t be as exciting next year.” Between Marci’s engagement and Finn and Ollie’s fireworks, the last few hours had been very lively.

“Who knows?” Owen snuck his hand under the plastic around a plate and pulled out one of Kate’s cookies, nibbled on it, and then put it down. He seemed fidgety, jumpy, like he was nervous about something. “A lot can happen in a year. Look at us.”

Liam hummed in agreement, finishing the last pan. Shutting off the water, he dried his hands with a dishtowel, looking up at the clock.

“It’s after midnight.” Tossing the towel on the counter he wrapped his arms around Owen’s shoulders. “Merry Christmas, Owen.”

“Merry Christmas, Angel.” Owen leaned in and gave Liam a deep sultry kiss. “Shouldn’t you be on top of the tree?”

“I feel like I’m on top of the world. Does that count?” Liam smiled at him and Owen’s eyes shone as they looked down at him with love…and something else that was making Liam wary. “What’s going on with you?”

“Well…” Owen dug through his pocket, removing a small red box topped with a green bow. “I have a gift for you.” It was easy to tell exactly what it was from the shape and size, and Liam gasped.

“Is that what I think it is?” Liam looked back and forth between Owen and the present, surprise fluttering through his limbs, making them shake.

“Maybe. But you have to open it to find out.”

Slowly, Liam took the box from his hands, holding it in one palm as he untied the bow with trembling fingers. Lifting the lid, he stared down at a small silver ring.

“I hope the size is right. Now, I know it’s a bit too soon to propose but this is a promise. I want you to be mine. I want the world to see it. And we’ll get married whenever you want.” Owen babbled as Liam picked up the ring, looking at it under the light and noticing that there were two words engraved on the outside.

My Angel

“No.” Liam shook his head. How could Owen do this? “No, no, no.”

“What?” Owen reeled back like Liam had slapped him. Pain filled his eyes, dulling them. “No?”

“Wait, I don’t mean no. I mean yes. But,” Liam shoved the box back into Owen’s hands. “Just…stay here.”

Dashing down the hall to their bedroom, Liam knelt in front of his night table, reaching into the back to find the gift he’d planned to give Owen on Christmas morning. With it in hand, he returned to the kitchen in record time, where Owen was standing very still, looking confused and dejected.

“Here.” Breath heaving from his short run, Liam took his ring from Owen’s hands and replaced it with a box that looked very similar to the one Owen had just given him, except his was black velvet with a red bow.

Cautiously, Owen’s gaze shifted between Liam and the box, color coming back into his cheeks. “Is this-”

“Maybe,” Liam smirked. “But you have to open it to find out.”

Taking as much care in unwrapping as Liam did, Owen gently opened the gift, his lips forming a little ‘o’ as he stared down at his own silver ring. This one didn’t have anything engraved; instead, it was adorned with three small sapphires that matched the color of Owen’s eyes.

“Ollie helped me pick it out.” Liam’s voice was soft, choking with emotion as he realized that, once again, Owen had read his mind. Actually, they’d read each other’s minds and it was one of the reasons Liam wanted to spend the rest of his life with this stunning savior of a man. “There’s a stone for each of us. Me, you, and Michael.”

“Liam…” Owen breathed out his name in pleasured reverence, picking up the ring and studying it, turning it back and forth in his fingers.

“I said no only because I couldn’t believe you scooped me!” Liam laughed joyfully. “But what I really mean is yes. Whatever you want? Yes. I was giving my ring to you as a promise too. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together and, after what you just went through, we can take our time getting married. I was hoping to do it once I graduatebutI want everyone who sees you to know that you’re mine.“ Apparently, it was Liam’s turn to babble.

“Angel, it’sperfect.“ Snapping into motion, Owen lifted Liam and swung him around in a hug, kissing him all over his face until he was giggling and squealing.

“We’re going to wake up Mikey!” He protested, but Owen didn’t stop, he placed a kiss on Liam’s lips instead, and Liam responded, opening up and tangling their tongues together until neither of them could breathe.

When they finally broke apart, Liam’s legs and mind were so wobbly that it took him a moment to realize that he was still holding his ring.

“Put this on me,” he ordered, thrusting the box at Owen’s chest.

“Only if you do the same,” Owen stated, handing his ring to Liam.

“This did not go the way I planned.” Liam shook his head with a smile. He didn’t think he could ever stop smiling. He had everything he’d ever wanted, including the man of his dreams. Taking Owen’s hand in his own, he hovered the ring over Owen’s finger. “And you still haven’t told me yes or no.”

---