Will you marry me… now? | Jan 25th
[Sophie | Alex]
It was one of those days out in London where Alex was just running out for some errands and ending up strolling around a bit. He found a record store he couldn't pass by and Sansa, who had taken to make sure she got a decent idea of how to behave in more public places with occasional crowds of people, was doing so well too. He was almost ready to head back home when he ran into Brittany who he went to school with way back as a wee little boy still living just outside the city of London. He knew there was no rush to head back, Sophie was out, busy with some work stuff and the kids were with her parents, so he agreed to grab a cup of coffee to catch up some. What he didn't realize was that one of Sophie's friends was around and snapped a picture of the old friends catching up. "Alright, I gotta head back. Think I'll surprise Soph with some take away so we don't have to cook," he said with a chuckle as he gave Brittany a brief hug and then headed back home. On the way, he stopped at a place he knew Sophie would like to bring some pasta dishes home for dinner. "You were such a good girl," Alex cooed as he finally returned to the house and let Sansa off to run into the house. "Babe?" He called for Sophie. "Soph, I'm back and I brought food!"
As of late Sophie had feel unsteady in things again. Prickling jealousy, seeing the things pop up about the boys upcoming year of more things that would be busy and women commenting how hot he was and how he was never spotted with Sophie anymore. It came on the cusp of seeing her ex now with a model, back to his old habits and comparisons of what he really wanted compared to his ex and the doubt it brought to her of what she could give Alex. Of course she tried not to show Alex this because she didn’t want him to think she was so insecure but the thing was it felt like she was getting worse. Today wasn’t the worst he had gone out but one of her friends texted her photos of Alex hugging a woman, sitting out getting food, his hand on her arm at one point asking what the hell was going on? It was just like what happened in the past. She broke down into tears it was a full repeat of what had happened to her with her ex and in the same time just about four years. That was all she was good for before she was boring. Sniffling she packed a bag planning to go to her parents when he got home. When he got home, she stormed down the stairs. “You know you have some nerve if you didn’t want to get married then you shouldn’t have asked me.” She said. “If you wanted to end this I said to tell me but instead you go out and cheat.” She said hands shaking and it obvious she had been crying. Taking the ring off she pressed it into his hand with the bags of food. “I’m going to my parents. I can’t do this again. I… I can’t do this again.”
When he got home, Alex figured Sophie would be happy he brought food and they didn't have to stand in the kitchen and cook but could just dive into take out and relax. What he didn't expect was her storming down the stairs, practically yelling at him and before he knew it, she was pressing the ring he got her about a year ago into his hand. "What? What are you talking about, Soph.." he started. He put the bags of food down on a shelf where they usually put their keys and turned his full attention on Sophie. He reached for her hand to give the ring back and stop her from going off. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not cheating. And I don't want you just storming off to your parents either."
When he reached for his hand, she pulled her hand back from him. “I can’t do this again. It’s the same thing all over again.” She said. “It started with working more and then sneaking around with other women.” She said shaking her head not taking the ring back. “I can’t go through that again. I won’t survive it again.” In fact this would be worse what she felt for Alex was so much more than her ex. “I just… if you wanted something else you just had to tell me Alex. If I don’t deserve that much our kids at least do. Our /three/ kids deserve better.” She said as she took out her phone with the photos. “It’s fine. Do what you have to do. But I want to go to my parents.”
Alex raised his brows when she told him about sneaking around with other women. He definitely wasn't doing that and the woman he just met, he didn't even have a chance to tell Sophie about yet, he just got back home after all. How would she know anyway? "Sophie, I don't know why you keep thinking that I don't want you because I do, and I-" it wasn't until she held her phone out to show the pictures that he realised someone must've told her before he could. "Oh, so you see pictures now and believe people telling you whatever?" he asked with a sigh. "That's an old friend from way back when I was going to school here and I literally ran into her when I was out. If you could let me come inside and not immediately yell at me, I could have told you about all of that," he told her. Sansa was whining at his feet, but he ignored her to focus on whatever this fight with Sophie was." I am not interested in being with anyone but you and I don't know why you just won't believe me on that. I only want you and you are more than enough for me. I'm not bored with you, and I'm not getting tired of you. I want you. For the rest of my life I do."
Her emotions were getting the best of her. Things with her anxiety were getting worse and she realized that when it came to her relationship with Alex. Which wasn’t even his fault. There were new posts online comparing her exes new model girlfriends to her and why they should have seen why they’d never work. Why it should have never worked out… and it just rang in her mind that it was telling her she was the problem. She was never going to be good enough. Not a good enough partner, not a good enough mother. Her insecurities had all but tripled since all of this. “You were running errands but those errands suddenly involved meeting up with an old friend.” she spat back at him. “No text to say oh hey I ran into an old friend going to be out a bit longer, but someone spots you and suddenly I just believe pictures. Seems pretty damn bloody cozy to me.” she said as her phone fell out of her hands and it bumped her fingers causing the articles that had been sent to her about her ex, all the comparisons to pop open on her phone. “You say that.” Her voice deadpanned. “They all say that.” she murmured shaking her head tears slipping down her cheeks. “You’ll get bored of me, I won’t be enough in the end.” she shifted awkwardly before turning back away from him and slowly walking into the living room to grab whatever she had put in there.
"I ran into her Sophie! I knew you were busy and was ready to tell you all about it once we were sitting down eating the food I brought us," he tried to explain but it didn't really seem like she was listening. She wouldn't take back the ring and he felt it heavy in his hand, like that just wasn't right, wasn't where it was supposed to be at all. "I mean that," he corrected her before reaching down to pick up her phone while she was walking off to the living room. He only got a glimpse of what was on there to realize how that must've been messing with her head. Sansa nudged him and he patted her head briefly before starting to follow. "I want you to take this ring back, what am I supposed to do with it? I gave it to you because I want to marry you, nothing has changed about that at all. There's only you and I only want there to be you. How many times do you need me to say it because I'll repeat it over and over again for you."
Her emotions felt all kinds of out of sorts, and she knew part of her needed to maybe go back into a more extensive therapy. She didn’t expect comparisons to her ex’s new woman to hurt her as much as it did. Then comments of her not being seen with Alex as much, or only him being seen with the kids meant this or that. That Sophie only had a ‘four year’ term on her was one of the articles. Moving through the living room she shook her head. “I can’t go through this in six months or a year or whenever you decide your life is too suffocating and you need to just be the rockstar life.” she said trying to push him away. Though it was like everything gave out as her legs gave out and she crumpled to the floor in a ball of tears her hands holding her face as she finally let herself cry out the emotions, there was no doubt there was some depression seeping into her even being happy to be back in England, Alex knew she was prone to it and all her mind could think was he’d regret it now.
"I can be a rockstar on tour and still have you and our family," Alex said before she was on the floor crying and he rushed to her side. "No. No, okay. Get back up." He pulled her up as best as he could to pull her into his arms. "I'm not going to get bored of or with you. I'm not gonna change my mind about our family and all that we have," he started and let out a soft sigh. "Sophie, I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life, okay? I want you to marry me. I don't need years to know I want you to be my wife. I know this right now and I know that's not going to change either."
Once she was on the floor crying it was like the flood gates had opened and every thing she held in was pouring out as she sobbed heavily to the point of heavy heaving gasps. His arms pulled around her limp body pulling her back up onto her feet her body just falling into his as she cried into him. Even if she was hearing it she didn’t know how to believe it. “I’m only good for four years.” she said. “I’m only good enough for four years and we’ll be together four years this May. Then things will change just watch.” her words hiccupped still crying into his shirt making it damp with her heavy tears.
"That's not true," he said softly as he held her, swallowing hard at how heavy her tears came and he let out a quiet sigh. "I want you for way more than four years okay? And I don't care who tries to tell you any different. I want you. And I'll keep telling you that whenever you need me to." He rubbed her back with one hand, the other wrapped tight around the ring so it was more like a fist pressing into her back. "I want you to believe me, baby."
Sophie didn’t know how to feel settled in this, and it wasn’t Alex’s fault, he had always been supportive, he had always been there, but she was pushing him away so she wouldn’t get her heart broken again later in life. So all she did was let herself cry her body hanging against his which was obvious she needed to sit down or lay down whether on the floor or the couch. She wanted to believe him she did, she wanted nothing more than to be with Alex but her mind was screaming so loudly at her.
For a moment, Alex just held her. Unsure if she had even been listening to him because she didn't say a word. He had to hold her up mostly with how she just slumped against him, but he wasn't going to let her go. "Soph," he said softly after a moment. "Will you please just marry me?" he said, as he looked at her. He wasn't sure he meant right now, right away, no more waiting or at least only as much as it needed to get an appointment. He was so sure of wanting her that he would marry her on the spot.
She sniffled when he said would she marry him and she looked up at him. “I already said I would marry you when you proposed to me almost a year ago.” she said, that hadn’t changed and she wasn’t expecting some proposal all over again if that was what he thought he had to do or anything. “I know someday that’s what you want I just… I don’t feel.. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry.” Not realizing what he was really asking.
Their eyes locked for a moment and he brought his hand with the ring up to use his thumb to wipe away some of her tears. "No," he said and shook his head slightly. "I know you said yes but I didn't mean someday. I want to marry you now. So will you marry me?" he asked and shifted the ring in his hand so he could hold it up in front of her face for a moment.
When he clarified that he wasn’t talking about someday but instead he wanted to get married now she looked at him holding up the ring in front of her. “Alex… I…” she was completely confused. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to marry me to make me feel better.” Thinking maybe that was the reason he had never given any kind of timing for when they might even think about marriage. “I.. I want to be married of course I do but I don’t want you to do it because you feel like you have to.”
"No, no. I don't feel like I have to do anything," he said with another shake of his head. "But I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life, I've been trying to tell you that. I don't want you just taking this ring off because something got in your head and I want you to know I'm right here and not leaving, no matter how much you think I am going to. I'm not. You're stuck with me and I want to be stuck with you, okay? So please," he said, holding the ring out again, "will you marry me?"
He clarified this wasn’t just to make her feel better or because he felt like he had to do anything. That he felt so sure about this which was so calming to hear that he for once felt calm about it, that he was the one so sure about things when normally it was the reverse way. Holding the ring out he asked again and she felt more tears as she nodded. “Yes.” she said. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” she murmured.
"Stop crying," Alex chuckled softly but it was more of a tease as he took her hand to put the ring back on. "I love you, Sophie," he murmured and reached up to cup her face, then leaned in to kiss her softly, a salty kiss with the stains of her tears on her lips. He placed a few kisses on her cheeks, as if trying to kiss away the tears before returning to kiss her lips. "The food is gonna be so cold right now," he chuckled softly, but he wasn't ready to let go of her just yet.
He slipped the ring back on her finger where it belonged. “I love you Alex.” She said. “I’m sorry I am not handling things better.” She admitted that she wasn’t talking to him more instead of letting it blow up. His lips pressed to hers in a kiss and she leaned into him. His lips starting to kiss away the tears and she knew deep down Alex was the only one for her. “We can rewarm it.” She said. “Can we just… sit on the couch together.” She murmured. “I mean we’re not going to go out and get married right this second right I look awful.”
"It's okay," he said softly and honestly he meant that. Did he think that maybe she needed a way to keep more focused despite shit thrown her way? Yes. Therapy was probably a good idea, it was working for him too in a way, but that didn't make anything less okay. He gave a nod and then started to move to the couch with her, pulling her down with him to sit. "You look like you've been crying but that doesn't make you less beautiful," he offered with a smile. "I'd marry you no matter how much you would've been crying."
She gave a small, tiny chuckle when he said he’d marry her no matter how much crying she had been doing. “Well I’d still like to look a little more put together.” she admitted. They got over to the couch and she curled up into him. “My parents wanted to keep the kids tonight maybe that’s a good thing.” given how emotional things had been and she never wanted to bring their kids into something like that. “So when do you want to get married then?” she asked more just curious.
"Alright, I want you to feel good too, so I'll take that," Alex said with a small grin. They settled on the couch and it didn't take very long until the dogs came to curl up with them. "Any time that works for you. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd marry you right now. Though this isn't Vegas and we have to probably make an appointment at the register office, so we can see when there's open spots?"
A smile appeared on her lips when he said he was serious that he’d marry her right now. Though he was right this wasn’t Vegas and that they couldn’t just get married like that. Not here they could probably in the very near future though. “We could call in the morning, make an appointment for the soonest one.” she said, “I don’t think I want to wait if you’re ready I’m ready.” she said and she meant it. Even if she had been ready to walk out the door minutes before because she was scared to lose everything. “Are we going to tell anyone? Have anyone there. I mean we’ll basically be eloping.”
"Yeah, we can pick the soonest one," he agreed. It was probably good to just give the office a call in the morning, see what their options were and how soon that would all go. "Do you want anyone there? We could just do it with our parents, even though I know mine were just here a month ago. Or we could ask our closest friends to come?" He thought out loud.
“I don’t really care what we choose, parents, no parents, friends, no friends. So long as we’re getting married and you don’t change your mind between then and now.” she said looking up at him. “I mean I’m sure the boys might be a little hurt if you didn’t at least ask them to come though. I know I would like to throw a wedding someday… at the farm. Make the perfect big wedding for the whole team you work with, that I work with, our friends, families, and extended families but right now as long as I get to become a Gaskarth I think I can figure anything else out.”
He raised his brows slightly as he reached for her hand to play with the ring on her finger. "Hey, you were the one giving me back the ring when I came back in here," he reminded her, but quickly leaned in to press a kiss to her temple. "I'm not gonna change my mind," he promised. Of course the boys were gonna be hurt if he didn't say anything, so he nodded. "Yeah, I can talk to them, ask them if they want to come. So close friends now," he said, including whoever Sophie would want of her friends to be there, "and then big wedding on the farm? I still don't have the full schedule for the year yet, but maybe there's time in the summer."
“I thought you were cheating on me.” she said, “I wasn’t going to be with someone that might cheat.” Though she was embarrassed to think that he would ever do that to her, the mother of his children. “They don’t have to I know Annie will want to be here which means Zack will be here at the very least, and she knew that Jack would show up so Rian would probably be the only one she didn’t know depending on his plans that he currently had. “Big wedding on the farm would be beautiful, and private.” she said. “Summer sounds good, and you know what that means? Two honeymoons.”
"How about next time you get this crazy idea I might be cheating on you, you talk to me before giving me your ring back?" He suggested. "Plus, I'm not gonna cheat on you." He knew that if Annie was coming, Zack was going to be there too and neither Jack nor Rian would miss it. "Two honeymoons?" He asked, smirking slightly. "Do we have time for that? Who's gonna take the kids?" He chuckled softly. Sansa shifted besides them, resting her head against his leg now and on their other side little Penny June was curled up.
“I’m sorry I just lost it when I got the pictures and you looked so touchy with her.” she admitted. “I didn’t want to think you were capable of being like him.” Which she knew deep down he wasn’t but didn’t mean she wasn’t struggling. “I’m struggling with things again the comments since he started dating someone and the comments and comparisons that the press is making like I’ve moved on with someone else, I’m a mom to three kids why do they have to bring me up?” she asked curling more into him. “I mean a short honeymoon after this one my parents, my brothers, they would all help out, and then after the big wedding well.. we will just have to figure it out.” she said as they were surrounded by two of their youngest pups.
"I'm not like him, Soph. Because he's an idiot for letting you go and I refuse to do that same mistake, alright?" His arm wrapped around her a little tighter when she curled more into him, his other hand reaching out for the dog to pet her gently. "Have you thought about talking about that more?" Alex asked, "therapy can help you with struggling. I don't think people are gonna stop comparing you, because that's just what some people do with their lives but I'd like to see you being less affected by it."
“I know you’re not and I need to stop but I get to this point I don’t know..” she admitted. His arms tightened around her and she appreciated that he was trying to make her feel as secure as possible. “I need to, I’ll call my therapist and tell her I need to start having more sessions… would you be open to going to some sessions with me maybe we can find a way to communicate together or that we can be aware of each other if I’m spiralling or if you’re struggling even?” she asked. “I know I just wish they didn’t… I don’t want to be brought into that anymore.” she said because that was her past. “So… we’re really gonna get married? Like I’m going to be Sophie Belinda Gaskarth soon?”
"Of course. If that helps any, I'll come with when you need me to," Alex said with a nod. "And I know, people suck but you can't let that get to you so much again, okay? He's out there doing whatever shit he thinks he needs to do and people are always gonna come back to how you dated. But what's important is what we've got right now, yeah?" He leaned back a little and chuckled softly. "As long as you didn't change your mind about last names, yeah that's gonna happen. Mrs. Gaskarth," he hummed softly.
“Yeah I would like that. Sometimes I’m bad at opening up.” Which he knew well, “And maybe if you can see some of the signs too we can avoid it before it happens.” He was right at the end of the day all that matters was them right then and there. “I mean I’ll keep Turner for my stage name, but I legally want to be Gaskarth.” She said nodding and smiling when he said that. “I love you.”
"Yeah, it's definitely worth a try. Whenever you want me to be there, I'll be there." Of course he hadn't expected her to change her stage name, but it was a nice thought to have them all have the same last name, the kids, him and Sophie. "I love you too," he said with a smile. "Now can we please heat up the food because I'm absolutely starving.."
“You’re the best.” she murmured softly knowing that he’d do anything to try and help and she really was a lucky person to have a partner who was willing to be involved. A laugh left her lips when he said he was starving “Normally it’s me who’s starving but yeah come on, what did you get to eat we’ll heat it up and sit maybe by the fire. Have a romantic night since we’re getting married officially.”
"I barely had anything to eat today!" He argued with a chuckle. "I had a bit of breakfast and then I really only stopped for coffee, so food is much, much needed." He smiled and pressed a kiss to her head again before starting to shift so they could get up. "I brought pasta dishes; I knew you'd like at least one of them but there's a few different ones so we have options. And there's surely gonna be leftovers too." Alex slipped off the couch, leaving the dogs confused, and hurried back to the hallway to grab the bag of food he had left there. He carried it into the kitchen to finally unpack the boxes of take-out food and spread them on the counter. "How about you share us plates of pasta and heat them up and I'll go set up the fireplace so we can get cozy?"
“You didn’t eat while out with your mistress?” she grinned a little bit trying to make light of how she had been earlier. “I mean you could have at least fed her.” When he mentioned he had bought pasta dishes, “Why didn’t you start with that?! You know I love pasta.” she scoffed as if he should have known better as she headed out to the kitchen and started getting stuff to warm up the food he had brought home originally as a surprise. “That would be great I can do that.” she said as she pecked his lips and got to warming up the food making sure their plates had a little bit of everything topped off each with a piece of garlic bread before coming back into the room a good fifteen minutes later. “Food is ready and smells absolutely divine.”
He playfully rolled his eyes. "No. I didn't even pay for her coffee," he told her with a grin before they were up and moving to get the food ready. "I tried to tell you there was food but there were things we had to figure out first. So yeah I know you love pasta that's why I tried to surprise you with it," he chuckled softly as he watched her for a moment as she pulled out dishes she needed to heat the pasta up. Alex was then off to the living room to start a fire in the fireplace and by the time Sophie brought in the food, the fire was crackling away nicely. "Does smell really good. God and I'm so hungry," he chuckled. "Wanna watch a movie while we eat?"
“Pasta is always a way to my heart but when I’m that upset nothing will really fix that.” she admitted. She was beyond emotional. When everything was ready and the fireplace was going she was so thrilled to sit down and eat because she was now quite hungry. “I’m starving.” she murmured too nodding, “I was thinking what if we dug out a board game and played a game while we eat we can hold the plates in our lap if we need to.”
Alex considered her suggestion. He loved lazy nights just watching tv but game night was a great alternative. So he nodded as they settled their plates on the coffee table in the living room. "Yeah, I actually like that. Any game you do want to play? Something easy or one of those strategical games?" he asked, raising his brows questioningly. "I did get this one the other day because it looked fun, hold on," he said and was up and off to find the game 'Dorfromantik' he had bought a little while ago, figuring there'd be a time they could try it out. "Should we give this a try?" Alex asked as he returned. "I do think we're gonna need a lot of space on the table though."
She was happy when he seemed into the idea of a game night. Not everyone would have been or would have thought it was silly and to just put a movie on to cuddle up with. She was more glad that he was willing to do things like this every so often. When he brought out the game she looked up. “That looks cute. I think we should try it.” she said nodding moving her plate more onto her lap as she sat cross legged. “We can bring the table closer to us and that way it’ll make it easier while we eat.”
"So I don't exactly know how to play but there's a video you can watch to learn the rules. Should I just put that on?" He questioned as he settled across from her, grabbing his plate of pasta and taking a bite. He really was hungry, and this pasta was absolutely delicious. They watched the little explanation video on his phone and then set up the game, all while devouring the pasta. It was easy to get into how the game worked and since it was a building game with each game going differently the more things you got, they ended up playing for several hours. Eventually, Alex had to stifle a yawn and stretched a little bit. The dogs were passed out all over the living room, scattered around them, the fire in the fireplace was slowly dying and it was getting really late.
“A video is a good place to start, figure that will give us what we need to know.” Sophie reasoned giving a nod as she opened the box and continued to eat their food in between setting things up. Whatever pasta place he had gone to, or whatever food place he had gone to they were going to have to consider going again because she was enjoying it. After a few hours of playing she looked up to see Alex yawn and the dogs asleep as she shifted. “Mm I think we should probably go to bed.” she said. “we can clean this all up tomorrow.” she offered knowing that they’d probably regret that in the morning but honestly laying down sounded like a good idea for her back and neck.
Alex nodded tiredly when Sophie suggested they go to bed and then took in the game that was spread out on the table. "Would be so much easier, but I think we might have to put it away. Don't wanna risk one of the dogs chewing on any of this," he murmured and started to put things back into the box. He didn't so much as organize it but rather just threw everything in so he could put the box away and when they were done, he got up and groaned a little bit. "Oh laying down is gonna be so good," he chuckled softly, rubbing his neck and shoulders a little bit as the dogs too started to rise from their spots.
He made a good point if the dogs ate something from knocking it over they would be taking them to the vet and that would have traumatized Sophie so they cleaned up everything and got everything set away before heading upstairs. “I’ll go get the bed ready if you want to take the dogs for one last potty run.” She said before pecking his lips. “I know we sat up and half hunched over for way too long.” She laughed softly before heading upstairs and changing into a nightgown and pulling the bedding down and getting the bed ready for bed and nice and comfy and cozy.
As sleepy as the dogs were they were better off with one more potty run so there weren't going to be any accidents at night. "Alright, come you rascals, let's get you out in the cold before we all go to bed," Alex called for the pups and headed for the back door. Sansa was the one who stayed out the longest, she really didn't mind the cold as much, but eventually she too came back inside. Alex shivered a little and shook himself before hurrying upstairs to find Sophie in their bedroom. "I'm way too old to sit hunched on the floor all night," he chuckled as he walked up behind her, hands coming to rest on her hips and him leaning in to press a kiss to her shoulder. He smiled as he stepped back again to walk around the bed, stripping his hoodie off and starting to change into his pjs before climbing into bed.
Alex was gone for a bit and she figured one or more of the dogs were enjoying being outside in the cold and snow. She’d find it amusing if it was Sansa given her character was Queen of the North where it was so bitter cold in the show. The irony in letting her finally name a pet Sansa. When he came back up she was just putting a few things on the nightside table. “Well you’re not old, my shoulders and neck hurt too it’s not good for our bones to sit like that.” she said honestly. When his arms wrapped around her she smiled feeling his cold arms and lips on her skin. “Oh you’re cold.” she giggled. Once she climbed into bed she snuggled under the blankets. “So… tomorrow..” she licked her lips, “You’re sure, calling to make an appointment, get our marriage license, set a date with the courts…”
"It's freezing outside," he commented when she said he was cold, a soft chuckle leaving his lips as he watched her crawl into bed and then moved around to change and get in as well. "Yes," Alex said simply as he slipped under the blankets and shifted down until he could rest his head on the pillow and hum softly at finally laying comfortably. "How many times are you going to question me?" He asked, a small grin curled onto his lips as he turned his head to look at her, his eyebrows raised. "I told you I'm sure about this, I'm not gonna change my mind over the span of playing a board game," he teased.
“Enough to be absolutely sure you don’t wake up in the middle of the night in a panic saying what did I just do and make me all panicked myself.” she said. She didn’t want him to change his mind and she knew marriage had always been a hot button topic with him. “You went from it’ll happen someday to let’s get married now and you know that’s just … I wasn’t expecting it.” she murmured. She snuggled over to him. “No going back once we have the license and date. You have to tell the boys and then in a few short days or weeks I’m gonna be your wife.” she murmured. “And we need a little honeymoon.”
"Yes, sure enough," Alex laughed as she shifted towards him and he wrapped his arm around her. "Four years into this, I thought you knew I'm more about impulsive things than planning anything long term," he murmured, which really was true. A year ago, he had gone from not sure if he wanted to get married again to finding himself in a store getting a ring to propose and he had never once regretted that since. "Are we going to tell anyone else? I mean Annie, obviously, whoever you want to tell of your close friends?" He said, his hand resting against her arm and running up and down the length of it mindlessly. "Do we tell our families right away?" He questioned, eyes lingering on her and offering a smile when she mentioned a little honeymoon. "Where do we wanna go?"
“I know you’re impulsive I just don’t want you regret this later one because you know we’ll be married by then.” But he seemed so damn confident in everything which was a surprise. “I mean we can’t not tell our parents we got married.” she said their parents were going to be heartbroken if they didn’t find out. “Do you mean beforehand or after?” she asked. “Part of me wonders like do we make this just for a few friends so it’s more like eloping or do we see if your parents can come in. I do want the big wedding later on like we said and feel like they will be there it’s just will they be upset?” she asked. When he asked, “I… somewhere close but not England.” she shrugged. “What about… Paris?”
"I won't regret this. Stop questioning me so much," Alex murmured, tugging her in a little more. "Yeah, do we tell them before or after? Do we want them there too because I feel like if we tell them but don't ask them to come with, they're not gonna be so happy with that," he said. He knew his parents would want to be there. "So if we tell them before, we're gonna have to make sure my parents get to be around. We could also just ask them to stay at the house with the kids while we're off on a trip," he said, a grin spreading on his lips, "to Paris apparently." He was teasing of course, he'd go just about anywhere with her and if she wanted to go to Paris who was he to say no to that?
“I’m sorry I mean you can see how I was earlier I can’t help that I’m nervous because I’m also excited.” she said but she knew he wasn’t the type to say something to take it back to hurt her. “Think that his something we definitely have to go and consider because just telling them oh by the way we’re married might upset them. We could tell them we’re getting married legally.” she said “and that we plan to have a big wedding this summer.” she offered but she was still unsure she never wanted to hurt their parents but she was sure her parents would understand. “Isn’t Paris like the most romantic place we could possibly go for a mini honeymoon.” she quipped. “We can’t go too far given you are going to make this year super busy.”
"I think maybe we should call in the morning, see what day is possible first and then figure out how much time we have until then and if it is possible to get my parents here in time. We can say we just want closest friends there but then have a celebratory dinner with the parents?" He suggested with a small shrug, turning his head a bit so he could look at her better with how they lay curled up. "Hey," he chuckled softly. "You don't get to celebrate being in a band with your best friends for 20 years all that often. Yeah it's gonna be a busy year." Though he knew she really didn't mind, or at least he was sure she wouldn't blame him anyway.
“That sounds like a good idea.” she said get the dates first before they went telling everyone and having everyone all riled up. Celebrate with the friends at the wedding and a dinner with the parents sounded nice. “Well I mean our friends might want to celebrate too so if we got married early enough in the day we could have a nice early dinner with our parents and party with our friends at night?” she suggested. “You don’t get to celebrate getting married all the time either.” she teased, “and I don’t know about you but I don’t plan on getting married again after this.” she was really teasing him. She was excited for him and the band as she snuggled into him.
"That doesn't sound so bad, does it?" He nodded slowly. That actually did sound like a good way to spend the day, get a little celebration in, maybe have their parents take the kids so they could leave for that little honeymoon the day after. When she said she didn't plan on getting married again after this, he playfully rolled his eyes. "Except for a big party in the summer." He chuckled and shifted to lay more comfortably in the bed. "Plus, it was a long time coming, this 20 year anniversary. Marrying you the same year is an added bonus," he smirked slightly before he leaned in to kiss her cheek and then rest back and let out a content sigh.
“No it doesn’t.” she said it all sounded wonderful to celebrate with their friends and their family. Then one of their parents could take the kids while they went on their little honeymoon. “This is our smaller honeymoon. So plan that in the summer we’re going to have a longer honeymoon. A lot of not leaving the room.” she grinned. “Oh I’m just the bonus. Not the best thing this year?” she giggled softly. When he sighed out contently she laid her head on his shoulder. “Babe? We’re getting married.” she said before unable to stop a happy squeal.
"A longer honeymoon? Where are we going? Somewhere where it's warmer than Paris in the winter?" He asked, a grin spreading on his lips before she giggled. "You're the cherry on top," he said and honestly, he really meant that. His life currently really was great, and getting to marry her was definitely topping it all off. "I know," he let out a laugh at her happy squeal. "And we'll be able to know a date in the morning, but we should probably sleep soon to get to that, yes?" Alex smiled as he glanced at her, snuggled into him and really this was so much more comfortable than sitting crouched on the floor.
“Fair point but we don’t really have the time to go somewhere warm for our shorter honeymoon before needing to get back for your stuff so I thought Paris would be the best cause scenario.” Given how busy they’d be. “I mean I figure are we going to want to go somewhere hot in the summer?” she asked. When he said to find a date they would need to actually sleep she chuckled. “Okay, okay.” she said snuggling down. “I love you.
"I did mean for a summer honeymoon," Alex said amusedly, though he knew they had time to figure that out. Between all that was coming up workwise, they'd be busy after all and needed to find and make time for that anyway. "I'd like to actually do a summer vacation. I suppose we can be doing touristy stuff, but I don't mind laying around on the beach or by the pool with you," he said with a grin tugging on his lips. He brought his one hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear when she snuggled down a little more. "I love you too. I can't wait to marry you," Alex murmured softly before closing his eyes.
“A summer honeymoon in the summer. I mean if you don’t like Paris we could see what the weather in Greece is gonna be like?” She offered give them some more Mediterranean type weather. “As long as one of these places I can go topless by the beach or pool. Without you freaking out.” She said grinning before snuggling down and closing his eyes.
"I never said I didn't like Paris," he laughed softly. "We can go there," Alex then added to make sure she knew he was perfectly happy with that. "You know I will regardless," he chuckled. With how comfortably they lay curled up, it was easy to fall asleep and Alex happily dozed off into a very peaceful slumber. They did shift some time during the night, like they did most nights and when he woke up, Alex found himself sprawled out beside Sophie, arm lazily draped over her. He stifled a yawn and rolled over, away from her before starting to wake more and reaching for his phone to check the time. It was early, but well enough into the morning that offices were open, so he glanced back at Sophie, smiling as he saw her sleeping still and then he peeled himself out of bed, taking his phone and padding out of the room and downstairs to start some coffee while getting on the phone.
They had been up late the night before so once she fell asleep, she was exhausted. She slept and like always they moved around a bit and she turned to lay on her stomach sleeping happily. It was the first night in a long time that she slept peacefully. She didn’t even notice when Alex got out of bed. It was probably another 90 minutes before she woke to find the bed empty and got up stretching and sliding off the bed and pulling a robe over her and heading downstairs. “Babe?” She called heading into the living room.
Once he was downstairs and started the coffee, Alex let the dogs out and gave them their food before he started to get on the phone. He was just in the kitchen filling up his mug with more coffee while talking to someone on the phone when he heard Sophie's voice. He moved his phone away from his mouth for a moment to call back to her, "in the kitchen!" and take a sip of his coffee. "Yes, thank you," he said back on the phone and waited another moment, nodding his head and glancing up when Sophie came into the room. "The 15th? Yeah, I think that should work, hold on one second," he said and once again moved his phone away from his face a little bit to turn his attention on Sophie. "How's February 15th sound to you?" Alex asked and then, as he realized that could be a little confusing, he added, "as a date to get married."
She heard him yell he was in the kitchen and followed his voice out there and the smell of coffee. When she saw him on the phone, she tilted her head before hearing him ask about February 15th. “What about..” before he clarified, “Yes. Yes. That would be perfect for us.” She said nodding because at least it wasn’t Valentine’s Day. “Gives us enough time.”
Alex nodded again when she said that would be perfect for them and got back on the phone. "So yes, that works for us… yes. Thank you so much. Have a good day," he ended the call and then grinned at Sophie. Moving around the island counter, he grabbed a cup of coffee from the cabinet and poured Sophie some coffee as well before moving towards her and holding the mug out. "Good morning," he chuckled before leaning in to peck her lips. "We're gonna get married February 15th," he announced like she hadn't just heard him on the phone at all. "How'd you sleep, baby?"
When he got off the phone she smiled as he held out a coffee for her. “Morning babe.” as he pecked her lips. “We’re getting married on February 15th.” she said. “That’s right before my birthday, talk about one hell of a birthday present.” she grinned. “We have to get wedding rings… or well… you don’t like wedding rings. At least for yourself.” she said as she took a sip of her drink. “I slept really well actually, best in a long time if I’m being honest for you.” Licking her lips, “Do we start to tell our friends so they can make plans?”
"How about we don't consider that your birthday present?" He chuckled softly before taking a sip of his own coffee and leaning back against the kitchen island counter. "I say we give it another couple hours before we tell them. With the time difference, they're probably all sleeping right now." He bit the inside of his cheek briefly before adding, "as for wedding rings. I told you I'd get one as long as there's no obligation to wear it all the time." He swallowed and busied himself with another sip of his coffee. He had a wedding band before and it felt impractical to him. He was always worried about losing it somehow, he did live through a moment where it slipped off on stage and he almost did lose it. He wasn't a fan of that whole concept but he knew it was important to Sophie so he would not refuse to get one.
“Alright, not my birthday present but can the honeymoon be it or no… the shopping on the honeymoon that can be my birthday present.” she said grinning from ear to ear. “That makes sense.” It was early there so all those in the US were definitely still asleep. “What about my mum and dad?” looking up “Do you want to wait and tell them until we can kind of call everyone at once?” She was just kind of floating on happiness in the moment. “No I know.” she said softly, “It’s not like we could wear them for long after the wedding anyway.” she shrugged. Wedding bands had always been important to her but she understood he didn’t feel the same way. “Well we don’t have to look at them right now we would have to go online anyway. We have time.” she said before taking a sip of her coffee. “You know how about something good for breakfast? Pancakes? French toast?”
Alex laughed softly. He adored Sophie, especially in moments of pure happiness like she was oozing right now and he couldn't help but put his cup of coffee down on the counter so he could move over, cup her face and press a kiss to her lips. "Anything you want to get while we're out shopping in Paris can be your birthday present." He grinned at her before moving back to lean against the island counter and pick his coffee back up. "We can tell your parents, I don't think we have to tell them all together. My parents should be up early so we can call them in a couple hours, then see if we get the boys all together on a video call," he said. "We can go online, or we head out to where I got you the engagement ring," he suggested. Maybe they could find something to go perfectly with the ring she did have on her finger. If they were getting rings, and there really was no doubt they would, he wanted them to be perfect for her. Finishing his coffee, he moved to head for the fridge. "What are your thoughts on a full English breakfast?" He suggested instead, raising his brows questioningly before opening the fridge and pulling out what they'd need for that.
“Then that can be a great, wonderful shopping in Paris? Hopefully you don’t come to regret that later.” she teased before chuckling softly. She nodded when he said they could tell her parents. “Think that would be best, you realize when we Facetime all the boys again they’re gonna think you’re about to tell them I’m pregnant again just like we did the very first time.” she laughed. “Yeah we can go out to the little store to look for a wedding ring for me.” she said it made since they would probably have something that would work perfectly with the ring he had gotten her. When he said full English breakfast she raised a brow. “Oh a full English breakfast. That include beans on toast too?”
"I'll tell them right away you're not pregnant," he chuckled softly. "We will have breakfast before telling your parents though, right? Or do you want me to make breakfast and you can give them a call?" He asked, already pulling things from the fridge. "Is it a full English breakfast without beans on toast?" Alex laughed softly. He filled his cup with more coffee before getting pans and plates and anything he needed to get started making a big, full breakfast for them. "Maybe we can head out to the store today before we head to your parents to pick the kids up?"
“You better start with that before even saying hi because they’re gonna come up with that right away.” she giggled softly shaking her head. “No we can have breakfast first and then call them. They’re probably having breakfast themselves and I really rather us both tell them than just me.” she said because she would. “That sounds good going there picking something out we can always say we need it if it doesn’t fit properly sooner because we want it before we go back to the US.” it made a reason in case any information got out.
"Did we every decide on a time we were picking the kids up anyway?" They easily fell into a routine making breakfast together. Alex liked cooking but he enjoyed it even more if it was something they both did together. They could talk while moving around each other, working hand in hand and he made a mental note to make something like this a date night sometime soon. Maybe they could make pasta from scratch or something that would keep them busy for a while but was totally going to be worth the work.
“No my parents don’t mind when we come to get them but I did say we would pick them up today.” Which she was excited to get some snuggles from all of them. “Are we going to tell the babies, that we’re getting married? I mean will they even understand.” Willa might but kids could sometimes blurt things out and they didn’t want that either. They continued to focus and work on their breakfast while chatting before it was finally done and she set the table and made sure their plates were full. “This looks so good.” and it really did, not to mention everything smelled delicious at least to her.
"Well we can talk to them about it once we've called them. Or did you want to tell them in person later?" He questioned because that was an option too, right? They moved about the kitchen, making their breakfast that started to smell really good as things started to pile up. Eventually the table was set and Alex brought coffee and tea to the table before sitting down. "Well dig in," he chuckled softly. "So what's the plan, we get ready after breakfast, call our parents and then head out to the store?" he asked curiously after taking a bite of his food, humming at how good it tasted.