Cigarettes [Bennoda] ✔

Chapter 60

Chester's POV
After Mike said he might propose soon, that's all I could think about. I was so ready to be his husband and trade our promise rings out for wedding rings.

Months went past though and he still hadn't asked. It didn't worry me or anything because I knew that he felt the same about me and wanted to get married too, but I wished he would hurry up and get the ball rolling.

I couldn't wait to plan a wedding and have all of our families and friends see us show our love to eachother by tying the knot.

Mike's POV
After I told Chester that I might propose soon, I could tell that that was all he was thinking about. It made me so happy that he was that excited for it and didn't even know when it could happen. Hell, I could've made the kid wait years and he'd still be just as excited every day.

I was excited for that moment as well, but I was sticking to my promise about doing it when he least expected it. I already got him a ring and had what I wanted to say in my head, but honestly I was nervous and that's another reason why it took me forever to do it. I knew he wanted to marry me, but it was still nerve racking.

Anyway, I bought him this cute ass ring that was silver and had diamonds going down the center. I knew he'd love it because it wasn't too crazy, but had a little bit of bling.

I kept trying to think of the perfect place to do it. I wanted it to be romantic, and cute as fuck. At first, I thought about the beach, or my parents cabin in the mountains that Chester loved, but then I thought of something even better.

Arizona.

"Hey, Ches?" I said to him one evening after dinner when we were watching TV. "Hmm?" He hummed back. "I was thinking we could go to Arizona this weekend to see your family and all that. We haven't seem them in like five months. I have to admit I really miss them." I said. He smiled.

"Yeah that sounds good." He said. I smiled back and nodded. "I'll book us a flight there. I really don't want to drive." I said with a chuckle. He laughed and nodded. "Okay."

That next Saturday, we were in Arizona. We hung out with his family that first day, and I really wanted to tell his mom the real reason we were there. While visiting with them was fun, I was mainly there to propose to my man.

"Susan? Do you think we can talk for a few?" I asked when it was just us in the kitchen. Chester had went out to the backyard with Annie and Brian after we ate dinner. "Of course Mike. What do you want to talk about?" She asked as she pulled me back down to sit at the table. I took a deep breath and ran a hand through my hair.

"So... I wanna ask Chester to marry me." I said. Her eyes widend and she nodded. "Tomorrow." I said. Her eyes widend even more. "I just wanted to tell you and let you know first... I-I hope that you're okay with me marrying your son and all." I said. She smiled. "Mike, I think you are perfect for my son, and I don't think I'd want him to marry anyone else. I see the love you two have, and it makes me so happy that you both care for eachother so much." She said. I smiled back and nodded.

"Let me see the ring." She said. I chuckled and pulled it out of my flannels front pocket. She smiled and took it out of my hand. "That's beautiful. He'll love it." She said. I nodded and put it back.

"I'm so nervous. I know he loves me, but God, I dunno." I said. She reached over and held my hand. "No matter what happens, you'll always be a part of our family. I know he'll say yes, but for some reason if he doesn't... we'll all still be here for you." She said. I almost started tearing up. I just gave her a little smile and nodded.

"Thank you for that. I guess I better get out there, so he doesn't get suspicious." I said. Susan laughed and nodded. I stood up and have her a big hug before going out to the backyard with Chester. I sat down in the grass beside him.

"Where were you?" He asked as he lit up a cigarette. "Your mom was wondering how we've been, so I got caught up talking to her." I said. He nodded and layed down in the grass with his head in my lap. I looked down at him and smiled.

He had his eyes closed and had the littlest of smiles on his face. I ran my hand through his little curls and he opened his eyes. "I love you." I said. "I love you." He said back. I leaned down to kiss him and then leaned back on my hands propped up in the grass.

"What do you wanna do tomorrow?" He asked. "I was thinking that while we're here, we could go eat at your favorite restaurant and then maybe go to South Mountain? We haven't been there in forever." I said. He nodded. "Sounds good." He said.

We stayed outside for a bit longer before going in and getting ready for bed.

We both took a shower together and then got in his bed. I pulled him up to my chest and held him. I listened to his breathing and heard it slow as he fell asleep. I was kept awake by my thoughts. I was so scared that he'd say no or not actually be ready like he said he was.

I got out of bed after awhile and went out on the back porch to just sit and think. I was mainly rehearsing in my head how I wanted the next day to go.

"I love you so much. Will you marry me?"

No that's lame

"Chester Bennington, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

No that's too basic

"Chester, will you spend the rest of your life with me and marry me?"

Ugh no

I didn't want to get down on one knee and fuck it up. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted my words to be perfect.

"Mike?" Chester asked, coming out onto the porch after a while. I jumped a little and looked behind me. "Hey baby." I said. "Why are you out here?" He asked. "I can't sleep." I said. He nodded and walked closer. I pulled him down to sit in my lap and put my arms around his waist.

"What are you worried about?" He asked. "What?" I asked. "You're worried. I can tell." He said. "It's nothing." I said. "It is something. It's always something when you say "it's nothing."" He said. I sighed and just rested my head on his back. "Nothing."

"Michael Kenji Shinoda. You better fucking tell me what it is because you're scaring the fuck out of me." He said as he got off of my lap and stood in front of me against the railing. I sighed again.

"Just do it." My mind said to me.

I opened the pocket of my unbuttoned flannel shirt I had put back on before going outside. I took out the ring and got down on one knee. Chester's eyes widened.

"Chester, will you marry me?"