Mitch looked around the dining room table, a smile spreading across his face that felt like it would never leave. His heart was lighter than it had ever been, and even though he was seeing it with his own two eyes, it was still hard for him to believe that he actually had this group of people under one roof… under his roof.

It was family, sitting down to eat with him and Jonah in a house they shared, and it was both more than and exactly what he’d always wanted.

It was home.

Even as recently as seven months ago, Mitch would have written a night like this one off as an impossible dream, but with his dad seated and smiling on one side of him and Jonah on the other, Mitch had pretty much everything he needed. Pop and Doris were sitting across the table, and Mitch had no doubt that anyone looking in would have thought they had all been on the best of terms forever, rather than brought together by complete chance just earlier that year. They had already weathered the rockiest of times and come out the better for it.

“I’m so glad you could all come over tonight,” Mitch said, voicing his thoughts as he reached over to take Jonah’s hand.

Jonah twined their fingers together, green eyes sparkling at Mitch with the same quiet happiness that Mitch felt, and he marveled all over again about what a perfect fit the two of them were. He gave Jonah’s hand a squeeze, then pulled his eyes away and cleared his throat before continuing.

“Even though Jonah and I have been in this house together for a while now,” he said, looking around the table at each of their guests, “we wanted to wait until everything was just right before throwing this little housewarming dinner.”

“Everything is always just right when we’re together,” Jonah murmured, low enough that Mitch could pretend no one else heard.

His smile grew even wider. Jonah was right, but be that as it may, there was no denying that Jonah had also helped turn the house into the welcoming home that Mitch had always dreamed of.

It was more than perfect. It was them.

Together.

“Everything is so lovely,” Doris said, beaming as she looked from Mitch to Jonah, then let her eyes scan the new furnishings and accent pieces that Jonah had found for them. “The house is gorgeous, you two, and the food is excellent.” She turned and gave Pop a saucy wink, adding, “And then, of course, there’s the company…”

Mitch couldn’t agree more. Pop chuckled and Jonah laughed outright, and when Franklin joined in, the last of Mitch's nerves settled.

The night was going to be perfect.

“It really is good to be here with you all,” Franklin said, his proud military bearing subtly softened as he looked around at all of them. He gave Mitch a small nod, but addressed Jonah. “Seeing what you guys have done with the place is impressive. I’d never have imagined it feeling so inviting. It fits you boys. It’s welcoming.”

Mitch marveled anew at the change in his father. Jonah had improved his life in countless ways, and this—even indirectly—was one of them. Of course, as Franklin had just said, the house was definitely another, and Mitch rushed to give credit where it was due.

“That’s all down to Jonah’s good taste, Dad,” Mitch said, turning his smile on his boyfriend. “God knows I never would have been able to make the house look half as nice.”

Doris, bless her, made a polite sound of demurral, but Franklin just laughed.

“I can vouch for that,” he agreed. “No offense, Son. But from what I've seen, all those years you spent in the Marines got you more comfortable than you should be with barracks-style decor.”

“Thank God for Jonah,” Mitch said with a grin, not nothing to argue that point, since it was one hundred percent true. If Jonah hadn’t come along to make it look like people actually lived here, Mitch had no doubt the walls would still be bare and the furniture would be… functional. The little of it that he would have bothered with if left to his own devices, that is.

“Our tastes are a little different,” Jonah said graciously. “But I think most of the things in here now are a little bit of both of us—the best of both of us, in my opinion.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Pop lifted his glass of iced tea and everyone else followed suit. “You boys have turned this house into a real home, and I agree with Franklin here. It is inviting… and yes, boys, that’s a hint.”

“You’re always welcome in our home, Pop,” Jonah said, a slight huskiness in his voice hinting at everything they’d gone through. Still, his smile was as bright as ever as he added, “and don’t for a minute think you need to wait for an invitation.”

“It’s good to have you back in Hidden Creek,” Pop said, his eyes growing suspiciously bright before he cleared his throat and raised his glass another fraction of an inch. “Both of you. And I, for one, am very proud of you both for what you've accomplished here.”

“Seconded,” Franklin nodded, clinking his glass to Pop’s.

“Make that all three of us,” Doris added, smiling warmly.

It made Mitch’s heart happier than he'd ever guessed possible to hear the important people in his and Jonah’s lives not only getting along and agreeing with each other, but actually proud and encouraging to the two of them, too.

It really was everything Mitch could have wanted.

Well… almost everything.

The nerves he thought he’d conquered burst to life again as he rose from his seat. Jonah gave him a surprised glance, and Mitch completely failed to stifle the smile that burst out across his face at his boyfriend’s inquiring look.

“Thank you, all of you,” Mitch said, pulling his eyes away from the man he loved for a moment to address their guests. “And while we’re offering toasts, I’ve got a few words of my own that I’d like to say.”

He took a quick look around the table to see everyone beaming in anticipation, then promptly tuned all of them out as he turned his full attention to Jonah.

Once, he couldn't have imagined being able to hold onto this man, much less declare himself in front of witnesses. When Mitch had left the Marines, it had felt like he’d lost something—but here, now, it was crystal clear that the loss had only been making room for what he’d never believed he’d be able to have.

“What’s going on, Mitch?” Jonah asked, the hint of confusion on his face telling Mitch loud and clear that Jonah really didn’t know.

“I love you,” Mitch said, which wasn't how he’d intended to start at all.

“Hear, hear,” Pop said as Jonah laughed.

“I love you, too,” Jonah answered promptly, smiling up at Mitch. “Is something wro—”

“Babe,” Mitch cut in, his heart suddenly trying to pound out of his chest. “I know that six months ago, you never thought you’d be living back here in Hidden Creek again, but I want you to know that I thank my lucky stars every single day for the fact that you decided to stay.”

“The town does have its charms,” Doris murmured from across the table.

Jonah shook his head, though. “It was you,” he whispered, eyes bright with emotion as he gazed up at Mitch. “You were the reason I stayed.”

The smile that still hadn’t left Mitch’s face spread throughout his entire body. “I love you so much, Jonah,” he said, meaning it with every bit of his heart, “and you’ve already made me happier than I ever could have imagined. But here, now, in front of our loved ones, I’m feeling greedy.”

Franklin laughed, and a spark of shocked comprehension lit in Jonah's eyes.

“I want to hold on to this happiness. Take it to the next level. Grow it into something that will keep you here, always.”

Mitch fished the small box he’d managed to keep hidden up until now out from his pocket and dropped to one knee, and Jonah’s eyes spilled over with tears.

“Oh my God,” Jonah whispered.

Mitch took Jonah’s hand, nerves finally banished completely as something that felt a lot like joy welled up inside him.

“Jonah Michael Riley, I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Mitch said. It was one of the truest things he’d ever said. “I want to wake up next to you every morning and never miss the chance to kiss you good night before I close my eyes to sleep. You’ve already made our house into a home, and the fact that you’re here with me—”

He had to pause and clear his throat, the miracle of it hitting him all over again. Jonah’s hand trembled in his, and it was all Mitch needed to go on.

Jonah was all he needed.

“Jonah,” Mitch said, the cheek-splitting grin spreading across his face again. “You’ve already made me the luckiest guy on the planet, but like I said, now I’m feeling greedy. I’m hoping that you’ll give me even more, and let me give you more, too. That you’ll say yes to spending every one of the rest of your days just like this—” he squeezed Jonah’s still-trembling hand, “—together. That you’ll say yes to walking down the aisle with me, say yes to chasing forever with me, that you’ll become my husband and make me yours, too. Jonah—my love, my best friend, my forever—will you do me the great honor of marrying me?”

The tears were rolling down Jonah’s cheeks in earnest now, and Mitch had barely gotten the final words out before Jonah started nodding emphatically. “Yes,” he said, voice cracking. "Oh my God, yes, Mitch. I love you so much, and just… yes!”

Mitch let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He hadn’t doubted Jonah’s answer, but he’d definitely needed to hear it.

“Yes?” he teased, just because he wanted to hear it again.

“Yes,” Jonah said as Mitch slid the ring onto his finger—another perfect fit, just like the two of them. “It’s always going to be yes.”

Mitch stood, brushing the tears off Jonah’s cheeks before pulling him close and kissing him sweetly. The rest of the world had truly faded away, and it was only when he pulled back to look into Jonah’s eyes again that Mitch realized everyone around the table was standing and clapping for them.

“Welcome to the family, Mitch,” Pop said, raising his glass again as his eyes sparkled at Mitch and Jonah. “As slow as you boys have moved, I never thought I’d live long enough to see the day.”

Mitch burst out laughing, which only got louder as Jonah tried and failed to give his grandpa a mock glare before laughing, too.

“We’ve got so much planning to do,” Doris exclaimed, beaming at the two of them. She clasped her hands together gleefully, leaning forward to pin them with a determined look. “You’ve gotta let me help cater the reception. I insist.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Jonah readily agreed, nodding as he dashed at his cheeks again.

He was glowing.

He was beautiful.

“Congratulations,” Franklin said, moving around the table to embrace the two of them. “I couldn’t be happier for both of you. And Jonah—” he smiled, eyes crinkling up at the corners and genuine pleasure radiating from him, “—I couldn’t hope for a better son-in-law, or a more loving partner for my son. Thank you for helping to open my eyes… and my heart.”

His father’s words meant a lot, but the sincere tone of Franklin’s voice as he addressed Mitch’s fiancé—fiancé!—that was worth more than Mitch could ever put a price on.

Loving Jonah really had changed everything.

“Thank you,” Jonah said to Franklin, eyes sparkling, “for everything. I’m so lucky to have your son in my life.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Mitch cut in, putting an arm around Jonah on one side and slinging his other arm across his dad’s shoulders. “You’ve both made these last few months the best in my whole life.” Then he turned his attention back to Jonah, putting both arms around his husband-to-be again. “And you, my love—” Mitch leaned in to steal a not-so-quick kiss, “—thank you. Thank you for making me realize how good love can be—how good life can be—when I have you by my side. I love you so much now, and I’m going to keep on loving you with all of my heart, all of my soul, every day for the rest of our lives. Forever.”

“I love you, too,” Jonah whispered. “I always have, Mitch, and I always will. Forever.”

Mitch smiled, Jonah’s love filling him up. Always was even better than forever. It was their past, their present, and their future.

It was everything.