An unexpected love || Ant x Stephen

Valentines Day - Chapter Ten

The morning of February 14, 2016, arrived with a crisp, winter chill and a sense of nervous anticipation that Stephen Mulhern hadn't felt in years. For the first time in his adult life, Valentine's Day wasn't just a Hallmark holiday he watched from the sidelines; it was a day that actually belonged to him. It had been nearly two months since that life-changing morning at Ant's house, and while the world still saw them as the ultimate "lads' lads" and best mates, the reality behind closed doors was something Stephen cherished with a fierce, quiet intensity.

The logistics, however, were a nightmare. They couldn't exactly book a candlelit corner at a London hotspot without the tabloids having a field day. Dec was off to a lavish dinner with his wife, Ali, leaving Ant and Stephen to navigate their debut Valentine's in the shadows.

Ant had been working a half-day at the studio, which gave Stephen a narrow window of opportunity. He had been stressing for a week. A watch? Too cliché. Chocolates? Too temporary. He wanted something that echoed the eighteen months of pining and the incredible two months of reality.

After nearly two hours of fruitless scrolling through luxury gift sites, Stephen found himself on Instagram, looking at sentimental DIY ideas. He stumbled upon a post for a "Memory Journal"—a hand-crafted book that chronicled a relationship's highlights.

His heart thudded. That's it.

He rushed to the local supermarket, dodging the frantic husbands buying last-minute drooping roses. He grabbed a high-quality leather-bound notebook, archival glue, gold-ink pens, and several packs of stickers. Back at home, he cleared the dining table and got to work.

For the next three hours, Stephen was lost in a world of nostalgia. He printed out photos they'd taken on set—candid shots of them laughing between takes on Saturday Night Takeaway, a blurry selfie from the night they finally got together, and pictures from their secret late-night walks. He filled the margins with his own thoughts, snippets of his diary entries he'd never intended to share: "I knew this man was the love of my life the moment he tripped over that prop and laughed at himself," and "I'm going to marry him one day. I just know it."

He labeled pages with Ant's nicknames for him—"Stevie," "Nonsense," and even "Magic Man"—decorating the edges with stars and ticket stubs from shows they'd attended. By the time he pressed the final sticker into place, his fingers were stained with ink, but the book was a masterpiece of hidden history.

Just as he was admiring the finished product, his phone chimed.

Ant: I'm finishing early tonight, on my way home! Make sure you wear something smart. I've got a surprise for you. x

Stephen's stomach did a somersault. He glanced at the clock—only an hour left.

Stephen: By smart, do you mean shirt and trousers, or a suit? Should I wear a tie? x

He paced the room, waiting. He wanted to look perfect. He wanted Ant to see him not just as his co-host, but as his partner.

Ant: Ahah, yes wear a tie but it doesn't need to be a full suit. x

Stephen dashed upstairs, tearing through his wardrobe. He eventually settled on a crisp white shirt, a dove-grey waistcoat, and matching trousers. It was sophisticated but approachable. He was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his silk tie and misting his neck with his favourite cologne, when a loud, insistent knock sounded at the front door.

His heart leapt. He bounded down the stairs, checked his reflection one last time, and swung the door open with a beaming smile.

"Emma?"

The smile faltered into a mask of pure confusion. Emma Willis stood on his doorstep, wrapped in a chic winter coat, looking entirely too observant.

"Hey! You look snazzy," she teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Got a big date?"