Hearstopper from the edit room floor

Love and marriage

A/N: Please read the authors note at the bottom of this section - it would help me out loads and you'll get 100 brownie points from me <3 

Late 20's early 30s in this

Charlie had gotten home from his shift at the bookstore he was ready to spend a relaxing evening with his boyfriend and their daisy dog "Nick" Charlie calls – no response he knows the flat isn't that small but surely he would be able to hear Charlie of all people calling "Nick babe are you home?" he asks again making his way through every room in the house the only family member he could find that actually lived here was a snoozing daisy curled up on the sofa of the lounge "Hiya baba where's your dad then eh?" Charlie asks slotting down next to daisy and giving her a good fuss, daisy makes herself comfortable in his lap she was just small enough to do that these days but Charlie couldn't care less just as Charlie had put all of his things down on the coffee table his phone buzzed "ah speak of the devil" Charlie announced as though daisy was going to reply Nicks name flashes up on the screen

Nick Nelson 6:00 pm: Hey love, I am so sorry I'm going to be late home tonight – parent's evening with year six  is running late, I'll be home about... 7:30, dinner/drinks on me tonight? Xx 

Charlie Spring 6:05pm: Sounds perfect. I'll see you soon! Love you. Xx

Nick Nelson 6:10pm: Love you too, go make yourself look even more handsome than you already are on a daily basis xxx

Charlie smiles at the text okay grinning like an idiot, Nick was a teacher in a local social emotional and mental health school and he adored his job and the students he supported nights like these happened on a very regular basis and Charlie didn't mind he was proud of how dedicated and passionate his boyfriend was about his work Charlies heart swelled when he received text messages like this they hadn't argued (they hardly ever did that) it wasn't a birthday or special occasion (as far as Charlie knew) this was just Nick being Nick, loving, thoughtful and enjoying spending time with his boyfriend in all honesty their favourite evening activity was just spending time with and being with each other after Nicks day teaching and Charlie's day either giving drum lessons or working at the local bookshop the only person they wanted to come home to was each other

"Come on doodles I've got a date to prepare for" Charlie says brightly as Daisy jumps off the sofa and follows Charlie to the bedroom to start getting ready, Charlie flicked on the light to the bedroom and noticed something right away - there on Nick's bedside table was a small black box with a golden rim around it sitting perfectly square on the edge of the table Charlie felt his heart burst and his cheeks heat up as he scooted round to his own side of the bed and pulled out a very similar box and shoved it into his backpack for safe keeping. They'd both had the same idea about proposing, "Two can play at this game, dais!" Charlie announced to the doe eyed dog as though she would respond. Daisy simply let out a satisfied woof and presented Charlie with her newest squeaky ball in her collection which he gladly threw for her and she gleefully chased after. 

Charlie decided on something that was understated and casual, a white shirt and black jeans and a pair of black high top converse, his best "smelly stuff" (cologne and aftershave to you and me) and a subtle jacket to dress down the look a little Charlie knew that this might be giving Nick's plans away slightly but all of his efforts were in hoping  hoping that they would eventually make it out of the house but in reality Charlie really couldn't care less if they didn't actually make it to the restaurant that evening, before Nick arrived home Charlie decided to make himself busy in their home office and grade some theory mock papers for some of his music students he tutored on the weekends. His day job working in a local bookshop didn't pay an awful lot, but the combination of Nicks teaching wage and Charlies two jobs made things a little bit easier