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Nicky couldn’t recall a better day. A lazy morning with Erik, satisfying in every way, was followed by wedding cake tasting, was followed by learning of Katelyn’s pregnancy during his weekly call with Aaron. Andrew hadn’t been able to make it, but Neil had later sent a photo of him to their family chat group, the blonde looking contented in a patch of winter sunlight by their bay windows, glasses on, book in one hand, the other stroking the ginger cat curled in his lap. His boys were happy, and he was happy, and everything was right and good in the world.
They lay in bed together, a smile still plastered to Nicky’s face, Erik’s small reading lamp casting a warm glow around the room. After everything they had all been through, this. It was more than he could have wanted, more than anything he had dared to dream for.
Nicky’s jubilant mood dipped fractionally as his fiancée stilled beside him. He propped himself on one elbow, drinking in the glorious side profile he’d missed so much during his time in the States.
“What’s on your mind, hunk of my dreams?” he asked.
Erik’s reply was quiet, a hint of nerves fraying at the edges.
“You know I never want kids, right? We’ve talked about this so many times but you practically broke the sound barrier when Aaron and Katelyn told you today. You’re absolutely sure it’s not a dealbreaker for you?”
Nicky wrapped his top arm around Erik’s broad waist and hauled himself closer, folding himself across the other man.
“Erik, darling, can you look at me?” Nicky asked. The self-doubt in Erik’s eyes was plain, and Nicky gripped his shirt tighter. “The years I spent caring for those boys took decades off my life. I am thrilled for Aaron, thrilled to be an uncle, but there is no way I’d risk going through anything close to that level of stress again. I don’t care about having kids of my own, I care about having you. We’ve waited years to live this life together, and now we’re doing it, and it’s perfect. It’s not a dealbreaker. I can’t wait to call you my husband, and I can’t wait for everyone to know I’m yours.”
Erik curled himself into Nicky’s embrace, relief evident as the tension drained from his shoulders.
“You know it’s you who’s perfect, right? Mein Ein und Alles,” Erik said.
“Damn right I am, and I am very, very happy to never ever share you with anyone ever again.”
Lips met softly, and Nicky released his death grip to settle into a more comfortable embrace. Breaths rose and fell in tandem, a blanket of sleep gradually laying itself upon them.
“Sweet dreams, mein Sonnenschein,” Nicky whispered as Erik began to drift, “I love you.”