"let me see if i understood correctly." zach murmured, shaking his head. the idea was simply inconceivable. he was aware that tate was in love with anna.

but marry her? the mere fact of seeing tate in love and established in a responsible relationship surprised him, knowing that she also had plans to marry anna was incredible.

"you asked anna for marriage. you, tatum dahl." her best friend shrugged, without taking her eyes off the road. "i just... i can't believe it, tate. you, who said so many times that you would never marry because you did not believe in such a thing as marriage. you didn't even think you were capable of engaging with someone!" exclaimed zach raising his hands. "and so, suddenly, you are already committed to marry one. and not with anyone. with anna seavey the most cheesy person in the world."

"what's wrong with anna?" tate asked in an annoyed tone and frowned. "she's perfect. and i love her. why should i not want to get married with her? i don't say we need it. we both agree that we don't need a piece of paper to prove anything. but we have decided that we want it. so what is the problem?"

"no, there's nonw, tate, don't get me wrong. it's just... i'm very surprised, you have to understand. i thought you would die old and alone still voicing in the boxing ring. no offense. i just wasn't prepared for this. "

yes, there was a problem with all that. zach was jealous of the situation. he wished corbyn felt that way towards marriage.

"when you know it, you know it, z. she is the woman of my life." tate sighed with a dreamy air and a smile on her face.

she was in love with anna. and zach knew it. from the beginning, tate had taken too much trouble with what anna was referring to. usually, when someone wasn't interested in tate, she simply gave up and five minutes later she was looking at another.

no one had ever made a difference, no one had caught the attention of tate enough to keep her hooked. anna had not only kept him hooked, he had had him eating from the palm of his hand for months; and the funny thing was that she didn't even notice it.

anna was beautiful, no doubt, but her personality and strong character had made a difference. there were many beautiful women like anna in the world, but there were not two like her. and luckily because zach was worth with dealing with one.

both fit perfectly and zach was sure they understood each other as no one else could. and they endured like no one would ever be willing to do.

"well, i'm happy for you." zach said sincerely, smiling broadly and watching the traffic stagnate a few meters away from us.

he clicked his tongue. corbyn was waiting for him at home to go to a presentation by jack, who was going to participate in a musical. he had been talking about it for weeks and his eyes shone with pride for jack. the curly-haired boy was finally doing what he liked to sing the most. and the whole group of friends was going to support him.

besides, zach didn't want to be late and receive a scolding from corbyn.

"and what are you waiting for, zach? you've been telling me that you want to marry corbyn, that you love him, that you don't know how to ask him." tate rolled her eyes. "are you waiting for corbyn to ask you? i mean, that would be perfect. but since you wanted to ask him, i don't understand why you haven't done it. "

zach stirred in his seat, looking for the right words to express myself. "i don't know how to ask corbyn for marriage."

"how don't you know? it's a matter of buying a ring, you ask him, and if he tells you no then you contionue with your life and maybe in the future you will speak again." tate shrugged, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song. that sounded in the player. "i think you are going around too many times. just go there and ask for it. "

"it's not that easy, tate." zach sighed.

the truth was that he was afraid. in his opinion, marriage was a great change in someone's life, an important step. regardless of corbyn's answer, many things would change.

what if it turns out he said no?

what if he didn't love me enough?

what if he didn't want to get married?

what if he didn't want to marry me?

not that he felt he needed to marry corbyn or that he would change the way he saw or felt him. he simply wanted to live that situation with him. he wanted to marry the man he loved, because that is what he had always wanted to do.

he needed corbyn in his life.

imagine a life without his blonde rich boy wasn't in zach's plans. the brunet boy had always believed that he would end up with kay since she was the only one who could stand him. but he couldn't think of a life without having met corbyn and his stupid deals. if he hadn't met him, they wouldn't have jeremy, and imagining his life without them by his side felt like torture for zach.

also, zach would also not have the herrons' as his true family, he wouldn't have dared to visit his birth mother at the psychiatric hospital and wouldn't open up to meetings on thursday nights to talk about traumatic events in the social center of the city, to talk about his birth dad.

zach was happy with how things had turned out and he wouldn't change anything. he would do everything again and in the same way in order to reach to his boyfriend and his kid.

"you are making it difficult, zach. do you think you're going to stop loving him if he says no? so that means you really shouldn't marry corbyn, and maybe you don't love him how you think. do you think he doesn't love you enough? now, that would be the stupidest thing you could ever think, because after all what you went through, and for him to forgive you for being an idiot, that lack of trust would be an insult to corbyn. because if i were in his place i would have kicked your ass a long time ago."

"but what if he just doesn't want to get married?"

"well, if he soesnt want to, idiot, there will be no marriage. end of story."

traffic advanced a few meters, but they were still stuck in the same place. the clock read thirty-five minutes past twelve and zach had promised corbyn that he would be at half past twelve at home. he was so dead.

"so you're telling me to just ask him?"

"wow, zach, you won't be the smartest kid in the class, friend." zach looked bad at tate, but she continued as if she didn't care. "at least you already bought the ring? or do you have one that you would like to give it? "

"what? do you want me to do it now? today? "asked zach exalted, feeling his heart pounding in his chest hard.

god, he was as nervous as a teenager on his first date or before giving his first kiss. but they were talking about asking for marriage, not inviting him to hold hands in the cinema!

why did nobody understand how i'm feeling? the brunet boy wondered.

"no, zach." tate sighed exaggeratedly, as if zach's responses exasperated her. "but it wouldn't be bad. you could invite him to dinner and ask him. but for god's sake, don't even think about putting the ring in the cup or in the food, that is very cumbersome and you could end up a widower before marriage." tate laughed. "anyway, it is not necessary that you do it today, but the sooner the better, that as you stay this nervous and anxious you will get a hernia."

the truth was that he had a ring, quite a while ago. the moment zach knew he was in love with corbyn, when he realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his days with him, that same day he had run to the jewelry store to buy an engagement ring.

it sounded crazy, but it was the truth. it had been an impulsive act, but he didn't really regret it.

it was a gold band that was divided into three, covered by small diamonds that bordered the true protagonist, a brilliant and oval emerald stone in the center. it wasn't a diamond, but zach believed that corbyn deserved much more than a diamond. besides, from the moment he saw the stone gleaming in the center, he had done nothing but remember him in corbyn's eyes.

of course nobody knew about the existence of that ring. but occasionally zach fantasized about seeing the ring on corbyn's ring finger. "i think so."

"here we go again... what the fuck means 'i think so'?" asked tate with a silly little voice. "i need to hear you safe and confident, boy! come on, tell me, do you have or don't have a damn ring for the man you want to marry? "

"yes!"

"well said! god, you don't look like the boy who wanted to kill his rival. corbyn is calming you a lot, even too much i would say. i have to admit that i miss you in the ring. now get cute and go preparing a speech, because you're going to ask your boy for marriage, dean."

ΩΩΩ

corbyn was waiting for him in the living room, walking with jeremy in his arms.

"zach!" corbyn gave a delicate stomp so as not to wake jeremy up, but since he was wearing formal shoes, the noise was much louder than he expected and the neighbors below would probably think that the roof was going to go over them.

but jeremy didn't wake up. as always, a truck could pass over him and the baby would remain perfectly asleep and with a happy grin on his little face.

"i told you at half past twelve. do you know what time it is? one fifteen o'clock! that means forty-five minutes late. and why do you stand there looking at me with that idiot face? go get dressed right now, we're going to be late! "

while corbyn scolded him and looked as if he wanted to gut him, zach couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. as usual. this time he was wearing a white suit and turquoise blue shirt.

anyone who would hear zach's thoughts would think it was too cheesy. but he was just a boy in love.

when zach looked at him, he couldn't help feeling sometimes insecure. he was so beautiful, young, charming and intelligent. corbyn could be with any man he wanted, but he loved zach.

zach was aware that they were unfounded insecurities, but there are things he could never erase, and this was one of them. the brunet boy approached to kiss his lips and kiss the sleeping baby on his forehead before heading to the room to get ready quickly.

he put on a black suit with a white shirt and no tie, accompanied by black shoes. he washed his face and brushed his teeth, then combed and sprayed a few drops of perfume.

"i swear to you, zach, if we arrive late today you sleep on the couch." the blonde boy muttered, handing him the giant diaper bag and taking the keys from the apartment to go out into the hall.

somehow that zach didn't understand, corbyn managed to carry the baby, move around the apartment, take things, sometimes even dressed with the creature in his arms, all this without waking him. and it had taken zach months to change a diaper, and another little time to do it right and for the baby not to get muddy.

"sorry, honey. traffic. "zach apologized, following him to the elevator and pressing -1.

corbyn sighed and looked at him. "no, i'm sorry, i'm being horrible. but i am nervous! it is his first official presentation. jack has prepared himself so much for this and for so long ... i am eager to see him." the blonde boy smiled broadly, illuminating his entire face. "it will be perfect."

"of course, it will. jack is very good." zach agreed with corbyn. the truth was that zach was also anxious and curious to see him in action. jack had a lot of talent and passion for what he was doing, and had worked hard to get where he was. "he's going to do it wonderfully." he said kissing corbyn's cheek.

it took them about twenty minutes to arrive, another five to walk from the parking lot to the theater and find their seats, so five minutes before they started they were fully installed.

the theater was packed with people and their voices swarmed all over the place. it was somewhat magical to see the complete silence that was established as soon as the lights went down, announcing that the work was about to begin.

indeed, everything went wonderfully. jack stood out for his voice and his masterful performance, in addition to the simple, but well executed dance steps, which, although they were not perfect, had the clumsiness necessary to fit the character.

when the musical ended, they got up from their seats and headed for the racks, where they had to meet with jack.

he was talking and laughing with a group of boys, while holding a bottle of water. as soon as his eyes met them, he hurried to approach. corbyn threw himself into jack's arms, laughing and shedding some tears. corbyn liked to think that he wasn't a sensitive person, but it was quite easy for him to cry, even for the simplest things. the blonde boy was very emotional.

"jack, you've done great. really. it is the best i've seen in my life. you were by far the best of all. "

"thank you, but i'm sure all my classmates also did very well." laughed jack, separating from his ex-boyfriend to dry his tears. "hi, zach." he greeted him with a smile, shaking his hand. "and hello to you, little one." zach handed the baby to the curly-haired boy, who inclined his hand to his face covered in paint and glitter, attracted by the brightness and colors. "look at you, you're a man now." jack spoke to the baby. "in a few months you are sure that you are my height."

jeremy laughed as if he understood and stammered an answer, which made them all laugh. "i'm very proud of you, jack." corbyn said, fondly stroking jack's glitter-covered cheek. although they weren't together, zach would always know some complicity between them. and zach knew it, but it didn't bother him anymore.

because corbyn chose him a long time ago.

suddenly an intense aroma began to spread, coming from the bulge in jack's arms. "jeremy! you are an inconvenient little boy, "said corbyn with a false tone of reproach.

"i'll change him." zach offered.

"no, zach, i do it. we don't want a dirty and smelly baby later. "the blonde boy took the baby from jack's arms.

"hey! i already know how to put the diaper on correctly, "said the offended brunet boy, handing him the diaper.

"yes, love, you make it wonderful. it's just in case you forget." corbyn walked to the bathrooms, leaving jack and zach alone.

"corbyn is right, everything has gone wonderful and you have worn." zach said sincerely.

"thank you, zach. it was dope. and if before today i wasn't sure that this is what i want to do, now i know. i can't explain what you feel when you're on stage." his eyes shone ecstatically at the memory. "i feel alive."

"i'm glad you found your vocation. there is nothing more wonderful in the world to discover what you are passionate about and be able to make a living in that way; doing what you love i'm very happy for you." zach patted his back.

"i'm happy for you too. you look better now that you've left the fights. "

zach smiled sadly. sometimes he missed them, but he knew they wasn't good for him. "now... i'd like to tell you something, if you don't mind."

"sure, you'll say," jack urged, shaking his head to clear his mind and pay attention.

"for a while now i have been thinking... wanting." zach paused to clear my throat and take a breath. "i want to marry corbyn and i would like to know if you agree about me asking him."

jack looked at him strangely. "why do you ask me?"

"because well, i know that you are part of his life and i wanted to know if he would like to marry me. and obviously he will only do it if you come to the wedding. "

"when he was little he liked to imagine a big weeding, but i don't know what he will think of it now. he had changed a lot." the curly-haired boy said with a shrug. "also you know it's perfectly fine for me, you already know that i am proud of you two."

zach smiled in relief and grateful for his words, while corbyn returned from the bathroom with the baby in his arms. to be totally honest, even if jack had told him he didn't approved it, nothing would have changed. but zach felt grateful to have his support.

"everything okay?" asked the blonde, looking at them curiously.

"perfectly, we were just talking about the musical and that." jack shrugged, looking sideways at me and smiling. "does that invitation to eat still stand? because i don't know about you, but i'm starving."

"sure! go change. we wait for you in the parking lot. "

jack turned to walk to his dressing room. and zach and corbyn walked towards the car, zach had to leave his jacket because corbyn was frozen.

ten minutes later jack got in the car with wet hair and carrying a bag on his shoulder. "what do you think about anna and tate getting married?" jack asked corbyn suddenly, while making faces and gestures to the baby in his chair. jeremy hated the chair, but it was the safest way to carry it so they tried to make the trip less frustrating. occasionally, corbyn or zach sat behind him while the other was driving. they expected him to get used to it, and zach thought he was doing it because jer cried less and less.

"i don't know, i think it's fine. i can't say i expected it, but it doesn't really surprise me either. i always knew that she was basically wondering what it would be like to fall in love or get married. and i think the best decision they could make was to postpone it for the future, until they are both ready. "corbyn explained.

zach was driving but half of his attention was in corbyn's words.

"if i ever got married, i think i would probably do something similar. i would like to have time to do things as i want, to plan everything. although of course anna is going to have a scandalous and big wedding, with lots of people and loud music, i think daniel is going to gather the school band to play music and everything. i think i would go more for the simple and private... i don't know, i don't like the idea of ​​living such a personal moment with a lot of people that don't care about me. "

zach almost choked. he wasn't prepared to receive so much information at once. the brunet boy was pretty sure jack had done it on purpose, based on his expression. zach tried to look as relaxed as possible and focus on the road to avoid accidents. he needed to focus on what he was doing and maintain his composure.

but he couldn't stop thinking that corbyn didn't rule out getting married. and he even knew the way he would like things. and zach couldn't agree more with everything he had just said. besides, zach didn't have many close friends either.

"and of course, it wouldn't be pure white." corbyn shrugged, giggling. "white is supposed to symbolize virginity and that and jeremy is the proof that i am not a virgin."

everyone in the car laughed even jeremy because he had heard his name.

"the good thing is that i don't plan to get married in the near future." the blonde boy commented to finish, breaking the zach bubble at once.

but, well, that something was better than nothing. and corbyn hadn't said no to marriage.

they ate in a fairly simple restaurant that was close to the theater and in which he knew they had that chocolate cake that drove corbyn crazy. even jeremy had his part, which he was drooling all night on a strawberry.

at about five o'clock in the afternoon, jeremy began to doze on the baby seat, a sign that it was time to leave for the little boy to have his mid-afternoon nap.

they left jack in the apartment where he lived with