Lukas looked at himself in the mirror, recognising just how much his confidence had improved.
He stood wearing a blue button up shirt tucked into his black skinny jeans and as he adjusted his creased collar, his father walked through the door.
"Hey." He smiled, "Philip's here. We better get going or we'll be late."
Helen and Gabe were throwing a Christmas party at their house and majority of the town would be there. However this wasn't the reason Lukas was so nervous, this wasn't the reason his stomach felt as if a millions butterflies fluttered inside of him.
"Okay I'll be out in a minute." Lukas looked at his dad in the mirror, rummaging in his pockets.
"Lukas," Bo sighed, "are you sure about this? You look so nervous." He placed his hand on Lukas' shoulder.
"I'm positive."
"Well I support you completely. Even if it took me a little while."
Lukas nodded, picking up his coat from the table, "Thanks."
Walking out of the door, Lukas was greeted by a smiling Philip who stood wearing a white button up shirt and blue jeans accompanied with a large coat hooded coat.
The snow fell around them as they walked down the drive way, the ground beneath their feet covered in a thin layer of ice.
"I know it's not far," Bo took out his car keys, "but it's too cold to walk."
The car drive wasn't awkward despite the silence. Philip and Lukas sat side by side in the back seats, Lukas' arm around Philips shoulder.
Bo couldn't help but repeatedly glance back at Philip in the rear view mirror. He still couldn't quite grasp the fact that Philip would soon be his son-in-law.
Hopefully.
Lukas noticed this and threw his father a comforting smile before turning to look at Philip again. Philip, gazing out of the window, was yet to notice the exchange of facial expressions within the car. Lukas squoze Philip hand, noticing just how cold he was in comparison to his own warm hands.
Philip smiled as he rested his head against Lukas' shoulder.
Despite the short distance the car journey felt as if it had taken a lot longer than five minutes. As they pulled up to the house, squeezing into a spot beside Helens jeep, the holiday music could be heard instantly.
"Hello Lukas!" Helen greeted Lukas with a hug as they walked through the door, Gabe managing to pull Lukas' father away and hand him a beer.
"Hey." Lukas smiled nervously, glancing at Helen and back at Philip.
"I'm gonna go get a drink," Philip slipped his hand away from Lukas', "want one?"
"Sure." Lukas watched as Philip disappeared into the crowd around the kitchen before turning back to Helen.
"So when are you going to do it?" Helen looked across the room to ensure Philip wasn't able to hear her.
"I don't know honestly." Lukas slipped off his jacket, "I guess I'll figure it out."
Helen let out a sigh, taking the jacket from Lukas' hands, "I'm sure you will." She spun around and smiled as she passed Philip.
"What was that about?" He passed Lukas a drink
"Oh... nothing."
Lukas and Philip had been together for a few years now, the both of them living in an apartment together just outside of town. It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was theirs.
As the party continued, the two of them were greeted by various old friends and family members who had come to visit for the holidays.
Lukas could feel his heart pounding as the night continued. He was still trying to muster up the courage.
"Philip." Lukas placed his hand on Philips waist, interrupting his conversation with Tony, who didn't seem to mind, "can I talk to you for a minute?"
Philip looked at Tony and back at Lukas, "uh... yeah sure."
Lukas could see Gabe and Helen watching them as they walked across the crowded room and out of the door. They knew exactly what was about to happen.
"What's up?"
"You may need to be patient with me," Lukas stood in front of Philip, "we all know how bad I am at talking."
Philip let out a small laugh as Lukas intertwined their finger.
"We've been through so much together... including... well you know." He exhaled, "and I don't want to seem all cheesy and stuff but I don't know what my life would be like now without you."
"Lukas..."
"Actually I do know. It'd be terrible. You've really helped me through everything and I love you for that."
Philip watched as Lukas dug into his pocket, as he'd seen him been repeatedly doing throughout the night.
"Lukas..."
"So I wanted to ask," he slowly lowered onto one knee, "will you marry me?"
"Lukas... I..." Philip stuttered, speechless, "yes!" He pulled Lukas into a hug as he stood up, "I love you so much."
"I love you too Philip."
