Chapter Nine
Brogan
Brogan padded into the kitchen, still groggy but smiling.
On the table sat a folded note. Brogan picked it up and read aloud:
Brogan and Archie—
Thanks for last night. We’ll meet you guys for Christmas dinner.
—Andrew and Rafael
The air smelled like cinnamon and coffee, and the soft hum of Christmas music played from the little speaker on the counter.
The kitchen was cozy with its warm wood cabinets, a garland strung along the window, and a pine candle flickering on the table.
Archie stood at the stove in his reindeer pajama pants, flipping waffles like it was his job, and Brogan couldn’t help but wrap his arms around him from behind.
“Merry Christmas,” he murmured against Archie’s neck.
Archie leaned back into him with a grin. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
They wandered into the living room, plates in hand.
The tree glowed in the corner, strung with colorful lights and ornaments they’d recently purchased together, some ridiculous.
The stockings hung crookedly on the mantel, and Molly and Pasha were already sniffing around them like they knew treats were coming.
Brogan smiled, but his stomach was doing flips.
He glanced at Archie, who was already digging into breakfast, looking relaxed and beautiful in the morning light.
Brogan sat across from him, trying not to fidget.
Archie had made waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream, with crispy bacon on the side.
It looked like something out of a brunch magazine.
“You outdid yourself,” Brogan said, nudging Archie’s foot under the table.
Archie winked. “We’ll open our gifts after breakfast and take some time for us before Christmas dinner.”
“Sounds good,” Brogan replied, though his nerves were buzzing. He kept sneaking glances at the little gold box tucked behind the tree.
After breakfast, they settled on the carpet in front of the tree, legs tangled, dogs happily munching their treats. Brogan leaned onto Archie’s shoulder, soaking in the moment. Then Archie handed him three presents, eyes twinkling.
“Open yours first,” Archie said, brushing a kiss to Brogan’s temple.
Brogan tore into the largest one with the red shiny paper and silver bows. Inside was a sleek leather jacket, soft and perfectly his style. His old one was practically falling apart. He laughed and kissed Archie, lingering.
“You’re too good to me.”
The next gift was wrapped in green. Inside: a rich navy blue sweater and matching dress slacks. Brogan ran his fingers over the fabric, then leaned in for another kiss.
“I love it. You know me too well.”
The last box was small, wrapped in gold. Brogan’s heart thudded as he opened it. Inside was a gold chain, engraved with his name and Love, Archie. His throat tightened. “Help me put it on?” he asked.
Archie clasped it gently, fingers brushing Brogan’s neck. They kissed again, their lips lingering in a slow, sweet embrace.
Brogan handed over two large boxes. Archie opened the first, and inside was a bright red sweater, almost a twin to Brogan’s, and a pair of slacks. He grinned and kissed Brogan, laughing.
“You’re trying to make us match.”
“Obviously,” Brogan teased.
The next box contained a suede jacket and a soft scarf. Archie’s eyes lit up.
“I love it,” he said, pulling Brogan into a hug that turned into another kiss.
Brogan’s hands were shaking as he reached behind the tree and pulled out the small gold box.
“I have one more,” he said, voice thick. “It’s… special.”
Archie took it, curious. Brogan kneeled beside him, heart pounding. “Will you marry me?”
Archie stared, eyes wide. Then tears spilled down his cheeks.
“Is that a yes or a no?” Brogan asked, voice cracking.
“A yes,” Archie whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
They held each other, forehead to forehead, until Brogan pulled back, smiling through his own tears.
“When do you want to get married?”
“Valentine’s Day,” Archie said.
“That’s perfect. Open your present.”
Inside the box, two shiny gold rings gleamed in the light.
“One for me, and one for you,” Brogan said. “Let me put yours on.”
Archie held out his hand. “They look like wedding bands.”
“They’re pre-wedding bands,” Brogan said. “We’ll get different ones for the big day, but we can wear these now.”
“I love that idea.”
Archie slid the ring onto Brogan’s finger, and they kissed again, wrapped in each other and the glow of the tree. Molly barked once, as if she were in on the celebration. And Brogan felt like the luckiest man alive.
After the last ribbon had been tossed aside and Molly and Pasha were curled up in a pile of wrapping paper, Brogan and Archie showered, got dressed, and bundled up in their new sweaters and jackets.
Brogan’s heart was still thudding from the proposal, but he played it cool as he grabbed the keys and told Archie, “I’ve got one more surprise. ”
They drove out of town, the roads quiet and dusted with snow. The sky was a soft winter gray, and everything looked like it had been dipped in powdered sugar. Archie kept sneaking glances at Brogan, fingers brushing his on the console, their matching rings catching the light every time they moved.
When they pulled up to the little farm, Archie’s eyebrows lifted. “What is this place?”
“You’ll see,” Brogan said, grinning as he parked. “Come on.”
They walked toward the barn, boots crunching on the gravel.
A few goats bleated in the distance, and a golden retriever trotted past with a jingle bell collar.
Then, from around the side of the barn, a horse-drawn buggy rolled into view with black with red velvet seats, the horse decked out in sleigh bells and a wreath around its neck.
Archie’s mouth dropped open. “Brogan.”
Brogan just smiled and held out his hand. “Hop in, fiancé.”
They climbed into the buggy, snuggled close under a thick plaid blanket.
As the horse started forward, the world slowed down.
They passed rows of pine trees strung with lights, wooden cutouts of reindeer and snowmen, and a little nativity scene nestled in a grove of evergreens.
Lanterns lined the path, flickering gold against the snow.
“This is unreal,” Archie whispered, his breath visible in the cold air.
Brogan looked over at him completely smitten. “You’re unreal.”
Archie laughed and leaned in for a kiss, slow and warm despite the chill. They kept their hands clasped, fingers brushing over the rings again and again like they couldn’t quite believe it.
“I keep looking at this thing,” Archie said, holding up his hand. “Like, is this real? Did we actually do this?”
“We did,” Brogan said, kissing his knuckles. “You said yes, remember?”
“I did,” Archie said, eyes shining. “Best decision I’ve ever made.”
They rode in silence for a while, just taking it all in—the crunch of the snow under the wheels, the soft jingle of the bells, the way the lights twinkled like stars had fallen to earth. Brogan rested his head against Archie’s shoulder, and Archie tucked him in closer.
“I love you,” Brogan said quietly.
“I love you more,” Archie replied, kissing the top of his head.
Brogan smiled, heart full to bursting. He didn’t know how he got this lucky, but he wasn’t going to question it. Not today. Not ever.