Time with my father

Will you be mine?

"So Greg, when are you gunna propose to my father already?"
Sigyn and Greg were sitting at the kitchen peninsula eating their breakfast. A nice little routine had formed over the last few week. Greg and Sigyn would get up around the same time and each do their morning activity. Greg would finish his swim and Sigyn would finish her ride around the same time. One would wait for the other and Greg would hop on the back of Sigyn's horse. They ate breakfast together. Occasionally Mycroft would join them, but he would usually be gone by the time they got back.
"Excuse me?"
"When are you gunna propose to my father? It's obvious you two care for each other, you've been together for awhile, why not marry him?"
"I plan on asking him. I just have to wait for somethings first."
"Like what?" Greg took the final drink of his coffee and took his plate to the sink. He just stood at the sink looking out the window.
"Greg? Is everything ok? What things are you waiting for?"
"Your approval." That shocked Sigyn. Why would he need her approval? She had nothing to do with their relationship.
"Mine? Why would you need my approval?"
"I don't want to make a huge change without asking everyone involved. I had planned on asking him this summer, before I knew you existed. Now I won't ask him without your approval."
"What do I have to approve?" Greg turned from the window and looked at Sigyn.
"Me. I wanted to get to know you. Earn your trust. Show you how much I care for your father. In the process, I've come to care for you as well."
Sigyn was shocked. She never had someone who wasn't blood or had known her since infancy care for her before. She cared for Greg too. More than a friendship, almost like a parental figure. He was the father figure that was lacking from her relationship with her own father.
"I'm not sure." Greg took a deep breath. He looked like he was trying not to cry.
"I'm not sure if I could dream up a better companion for my father. You are the complete opposite of him. You get him to do things nobody else could. He is much happier. I give you my approval. I would be happy to have you added to our crazy family dynamic."
Greg couldn't contain himself anymore. He walked around the peninsula and hugged Sigyn. This was the first time he offered her more than a handshake. She liked the feeling. She leaned into the hug. She buried her face into his shoulder. She could feel Greg crying into the hug.
"You don't know how much this means to me."
"Just do one thing for me, don't hurt my father."
"You should be more afraid of him hurting me." That made both of them break out in laughter.

Sigyn was alone in the house watching a tv show that Greg recommended. It was based around a medical physician and a friend who live in a wooden box that travels to different times and planets. She couldn't figure out why she found it enjoyable to watch a man, who has become a different man once already, run around in a suit and Converse. She was about to start a new episode when her phone dinged
'Sig, please take a car and meet me outside NSY. -Greg'
'Ok. -Sigyn'
She phoned for a car and turned off the tv. She grabbed her phone and keys before she left the house. A black car was waiting for her outside. She got in and told the driver where she wanted to go.
'On way. -Sigyn'
It didn't take long to get to NSY. Greg was waiting outside when the car arrived. Greg got in the car.
"Hey Sig." Greg gave an address to the driver and sat next to Sigyn.
"So where are we off to?"
"We are going to a shop. You are going to help me pick out your father's ring."
"Why me?"
"He's your father, I trust your opinion, and I have no taste."
"Make sense."
They arrived at a jeweler. It was a high-end jeweler. They got out of the car and made their way inside the shop. A bubbly woman greeted them at the door.
"Welcome. Welcome. What brings you to our lovely shop today?"
"Engagement ring."
"Oh! We have some beautiful rings. I'm sure we can find something suitable for her." She started pulling out rings with different size diamond in them.
"Male engagement rings."
"Oh. I. See." It was obvious she wasn't comfortable helping them anymore. She slowly put back the rings. She turned to one of the other sales woman and whispered something. The woman shook her head and walked over to them.
"I'm sorry. My coworker has a little problem. But don't worry, I'll be happy to help you."
"I'm looking for an engagement ring for my boyfriend."
"How long have you been together?"
"Three years."
"Are we looking for a plain ring or one with a some type of stone?"
"Uh, plain," he looked at Sigyn. She shook her head in agreement. The new woman pulled out a lot of rings. Most were silver, some gold, a few were different colors. Only one looked like something Mycroft Holmes would wear.
"What do you think Sig?"
"I like that one."
"The black one?"
"Yes." The sales woman handed Greg the ring.
"Two rows of black diamonds, one on each side, a plain black strip in the middle. It looks plain from a distance, but once you get a closer look it's beauty shines. It can be engraved on both the inside and on the strip."
"It's beautiful. You said it could be engraved, right?"
"Yes sir."
"Anything?"
"Yes sir."
"I'd like 01/18/17 on the inside. And three little hearts on the strip."
"Three sir? Not two?"
"Three. One for him, one for me, and one" Greg looked Sigyn in the eyes and smiled
"One for his daughter."

"Do I look ok? Is dinner burning? Oh my gosh, I forgot the wine! What if he arrives before I return with the wine?" Greg was in a little bit of a panic. The ring was finally done with the engraving. It turned out better than expected.
"Hey, calm down. If you act like this is a different dinner than any other one, father will get suspicious."
"But this is a different night! What if he says 'no'? What if he thinks we're moving to fast? What if I ruin this great thing we have?"
"GREG! Calm down. Father makes a point of coming home for dinner every night. Sometimes he leaves but most of the time he doesn't leave till morning. He. Is. In. Love. With. You."
"But what if..."
"Ugh! Fine! I'll find out how he feels before you ask. Ok? If everything is fine you propose, if not just wait a bit. Ok? Feel better?"
"Thanks Sig."
"Sheesh!" Dinner was ordered in. Finger sandwiches followed by steak topped with sautéed mushrooms and onion. Roasted red potatoes and asparagus tips. Soft rolls. A cheese cake drizzle with strawberry sauce.
The sandwiches were chilling in the fridge with the cheese cake while the steaks, potatoes and asparagus stayed warm in the oven. Sigyn gave Greg the task of getting a bottle of wine from the basement. She just finished putting the glasses on the table when her father walked through the door.
"Hello Sigyn."
"Hello father, how was your day?"
"Productive. Yours?"
"Nothing interesting." Sigyn started getting the food while Mycroft put his things away in his office. Greg emerged from the basement.
"Father's home. I haven't gotten a chance to talk with him. I'll take the steaks out. Wait till I come back." Greg only nodded his head. Sigyn gathered the steaks and headed back to the dining room. Mycroft was about to enter the kitchen. He was redirected by Sigyn.
"Father, would you please serve the food while Greg and I finish bringing it out?"
"Of course." Mycroft sat down at the table. Sigyn placed the steaks in front of him followed by the plates.
"Father?"
"Yes Sigyn."
"What is your future with Greg look like?"
"That's a little forward isn't it?"
"Maybe a little. I just want to know."
"Do you have a problem with Greg?"
"No, not at all."
"Good. Because I am hoping he will accept the ring I got for him." That caught Sigyn more than a little by surprise.
"A ring? May I see it?"
"Yes you may."
Mycroft put down the serving utensils and reached into his pants pocket, pulling out a plain blue box. Inside laid a beautiful silver ring. It had a single row of five diamonds. The diamonds laid at an angle. Inside it had the engraving of 01/18/17. Sigyn could do nothing but smile. Both men were on the same train of thought. The only question left was, who would ask first?
Sigyn told Greg that everything was a good to go. Sigyn grabbed the potatoes and asparagus while Greg handled the rolls and wine. It was obvious that Greg was nervous and unless you really knew Mycroft, you wouldn't be able to tell he was nervous as well. The plates have been served, the wine has been poured and they all started eating. Everyone was quiet. No eye contact was being made either. Sigyn decided it was her job to get those men taking.
"Did anything interesting happen today?" Silence
"To anyone?" Nothing but the sound of silverware on plates.
"I finally got Gladstone used to his new bridle." Nothing.
"Yea, you're right, weeks of work and finally some results are boring."
"Did you say something Sig?"
"Just if you had something to ask my father?"
"Uh, right." Greg took a big gulp of his wine and whipped off his mouth.
"Mycroft?"
"Yes, Gregory."
"I love you. I love you so much. Man, I had a whole speech and now I can't even remember my own name. Screw it!" Greg got down on one knee and pulled the box from his pocket.
"Mycroft Holmes, will you marry me?" Mycroft's only response was a head shake and a deep sigh.
"My dearest Gregory. You are always one step ahead of me." Greg was still on one knee but his face was spotting a confused look.
"You asked me out before I had a chance to ask you, you said 'I love you' first, you brought up the idea for you moving in here. I thought I was a step ahead of you for the first time in our relationship. Then again, you always were difficult to deduce." Mycroft pulled out the ring he had and opened it for Greg.
"I'll marry you, if you marry me."
Greg fought back tears as he nodded his head.
"Then yes. Yes Gregory, I will marry you." Both men had smiled that could be seen from space. Mycroft took out the ring and placed it on Greg's finger. Somehow Greg ended up sitting on the floor.
"Myc, it's perfect." Greg then took the ring out of the box and placed it on Mycroft's finger. Mycroft examined the ring.
"Why three hearts?"
"One for you, another for me, and the last one is for" Greg looked at Sigyn who had tears in her eyes. Greg stretched out an arm and signaled for Sigyn to join them. She joined Greg on the floor in a tight hug. Mycroft was at a loss of words.
"Sigyn."
"He asked for my approval and help picking out the ring. The engraved hearts were his idea." Mycroft fell to his knees and hugged his daughter and new fiancé. That was the first true hug Sigyn had received from her father.
"So who's taking who's last name?"
"I would like to take the Holmes name. It comes with power and respect. I would be honored to hold it."
This would be a night none of them would forget. The night two became three.