Shameless - Gallavich

Six months later - Part two

We lay in bed facing each other as he strokes my cheek. I tell him about things going on at work, how much I love being an EMT, and the crazy calls we get sometimes. He tells me about some fights that had happened in prison and how some inmates make something called toilet wine. Grosses thing he's ever tried apparently, but he had to try it once.

We talk for hours, just catching up, every so often kissing and breathing in each other. I can't believe he's actually here, which reminds me...

"So, you didn't tell me why you're out so early?"

"It bother you that I'm home now versus in seven years?" He says with a sly smile.

"Of course not. You know I love that you're here. I just want to make sure you're legally here." I laugh with him as I say it.

"Well, apparently Sammi dropped the charges on me. Something about her making a deal with a lawyer for less time if she testified in another case, but she had to drop the charges on me first." He shrugs.

"What do your charges have to do with it?" I ask confused.

"Oh, yeah, the lawyer that was asking is married to my cousin." he smiles and laughs to himself. "I almost forgot," he gets up from the bed and digs into his jacket pocket, pulling out a paper and handing it to me. "Another surprise." he says with a shy smile. "I got my GED while I was in, for you. I got an education." he laughs low.

I open up the paper and there it is. His high school equivalency diploma. His name in big black letters.

"Good for you Mick, congratulations! I'm so proud of you." I lean over to kiss him. "But don't say you did it for me, you did this for you, Mick. Always knew you could." I tell him proudly. He gives me a half smile and sighs low.

"Nah, I did that for you, because I want to be better for you. The kind of boyfriend you deserve, y'know?" he looks at me and clears his throat before speaking again.

I find myself holding my breathe, waiting for his words.

"Ever since that day you came to my house for Kash's gun, I have been yours, even if I didn't want to admit it then. Even with all the fuck you's and hurt I caused you, I have always been yours and I wouldn't have it any other way. We've come a long way Gallagher and I'm not scared anymore to admit that."

He gets up again and reaches into his jeans pocket,  pulling out a dark blue box. When he opens it, I see two silver bands. One engraved with an 'M' and the other with an 'I'. I look up at him slowly, tears in my eyes. Is this really what I think it is?

"Another surprise for you Gallagher. My divorce papers were finalized two weeks ago."

He looks down at the rings, grabs the one with the 'M' and holds it up to me.

"There's no me without you. So, what do you say? Wanna get dressed up in tuxes like a couple of old queens?" he smirks, saying what I said to him just a few months back. I'm speechless and it takes me seconds to find my voice.

"Are you asking me what I think you're asking me?" I practically whisper in surprise. 

"I'm asking you to spend your life with me. No more fuckin' around. Let me make you as happy as you've made me."

His voice cracks as he catches a tear rolling down his cheek. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he's nervous I'll say no.

This is my Mickey. My piece of south side trash wants to change and be better, be greater, for me. For us. This man who has had my heart since the first time I saw him, wants to spend his life with me. I never, in a million years, thought this day would happen. Shit I've dreamt it but never thought it'd come true. I mean, it's Mickey for Christ sake. But I guess that's the thing about love, it makes you grow. And god knows we've grown together. I know what it's like to be without him and he knows the same.

"Hey Gallagher," he breaks me from my thoughts. "You're killing me here, will you marry me?"

And there it is, finally, the real words out of his mouth. I smile so big that my cheeks start to hurt and he smiles back at me just the same. I grab the back of his head and kiss him hard, but neither of us cares.

"Of course I'll marry you Mickey. Of course." I practically scream.

He smiles and kisses me again placing the ring on my finger. I stare at it with such happiness, with such relief. This is happening, this is really happening and he's really here - with me. He goes to take the other ring out to put on his finger but I stop him, taking it out of his hand. I kiss it gently and place it on his finger myself.

"Perfect." I whisper as he kisses my forehead and sighs lightly into my hair.

After a few minutes, he gets up and walks towards my closet. He pulls out two large black bags on hangers and throws one towards me.

"Remind me to thank Fiona again for her help." he tells me and I suddenly remember her being sneaky and private these last few days. She was constantly tip toeing around me.

Mickey clears his throat causing me to look at him and he nods towards the bag before me. I carefully unzip it and pull out a crisp black tux. I look up at him and catch him watching me, wearily, waiting for my reaction. I laugh to myself.

"You had this all planned well, didn't you."
I say.

He smiles at me and kisses my lips softly, before adding - "Let's go get hitched, before you change your mind."