Nick and Charlie 6 years into the future

The Twins' First Birthday

Nicks pov:

As the days turned into weeks, the excitement and anticipation built steadily within me. The twins' first birthday was just around the corner, and while that milestone alone was enough to fill our days with joy and planning, I had an even bigger event in mind. I was going to propose to Charlie.

The decision had been made after a heartfelt conversation with my mum, and now, as I sat in the quiet of my car, I could hardly believe the moment had finally arrived. Today, I was going to buy a ring.

I had taken the day off work, telling Charlie that I needed to run some errands for the twins' birthday party. He had smiled and kissed me goodbye, none the wiser to the true nature of my mission. The thought of his reaction made my heart race with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

The jewellery store was nestled in the heart of town, a quaint little shop with an inviting display of sparkling rings and elegant necklaces. As I walked through the door, a bell chimed softly, and a friendly clerk greeted me with a warm smile.

"Good morning! How can I help you today?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"I'm looking for an engagement ring," I said, my voice trembling slightly with the gravity of the moment. "Something simple but elegant. My partner and I have been together for a while, and I want to make it official."

Her smile widened, and she led me to a glass case filled with an array of beautiful rings. As she carefully lifted a few options for me to examine, I couldn't help but imagine the look on Charlie's face when I finally asked him to marry me.

After what felt like hours of deliberation, I found the perfect ring—a simple band with a single, elegant diamond that seemed to capture the essence of our love. It was understated yet beautiful, much like the love Charlie and I shared.

"This is the one," I said softly, my heart pounding with certainty.

The clerk nodded and began the process of ringing up the purchase, her hands moving deftly as she wrapped the ring in a small, velvet box. "Congratulations," she said warmly. "I'm sure your partner will love it."

As I left the store, the ring safely tucked away in my pocket, and a sense of determination and purpose filled me. I knew that the next few days would be crucial in planning the perfect proposal. I wanted it to be a moment that Charlie would remember forever, a testament to the love and commitment we shared.

Back at home, the preparations for the twins' birthday party were in full swing. Streamers and balloons filled the living room, and the kitchen was a flurry of activity as Charlie baked a cake with Lily and Oakley watching in their high chairs.

"How did the errands go?" Charlie asked, glancing up from the mixing bowl with a smile.

"Great," I replied, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. "Everything's coming together perfectly."

As the days passed, I found myself growing more and more excited for the moment when I would finally ask Charlie to marry me. I planned every detail meticulously, envisioning the perfect scenario where I would get down on one knee and present him with the ring.

The night before the twins' birthday, I could hardly sleep, my mind racing with anticipation and nervousness. But as I lay there, listening to the gentle sounds of our home and feeling the warmth of Charlie beside me, I knew that everything would be okay. We had built a beautiful life together, filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. And soon, we would take the next step in our journey, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held.

With that thought in mind, I finally drifted off to sleep, my heart full of love and hope for the days to come.

Charlie's pov: