Just Friends

Part 30: When it's the end

I heard the doorbell ring. It echoed through the flat. Neither of us moved for a few moments. It was like we were stuck in a trance. Neither of us wanted to answer because we both knew that it wouldn't be them.

Phil moved first. He untangled his arms from around me and went to the door. I heard Louise and Darcy before I saw either of them.

"Phil! So when are you going to do it?" She squealed loudly.

Phil shushed her. What? When was he going to do what? My thoughts were interrupted by Darcy.

The small girl flew through the kitchen. Darcy attacked my legs with a tight hug. "Dan!"

I lifted her up into my arms. She snuggled against me happily. "Hi princess. Where are your mummy and Phil?"

She looks slightly confused, "Mummy had to talk to Phil about something important."

What would they have to talk about that would be important? Was it something about me? Why couldn't they talk about it with me? This all seemed very suspicious. Were they talking shit about me?

"Dan?" Darcy's voice cut through my thoughts.

I turn my head to look at her. "What is it princess?"

"Can I go play with Phil's stuffed animals?" God Phil had enough fucking stuffed animals. Why not?

"Sure. Just be careful." I set her down and she ran off towards Phil's room.

I was too curious. I had to figure out what they were talking about. "Phil? Louise?" I called down the hallway.

I heard a loud crash. Phil must have dropped something. "Yeah Dan we're here. What's up?" His voice sounded strained and nervous.

I turned the corner. Phil's face was burnt red and he looked as though he might be sick. Louise was practically glowing.

She crushed me in a tight hug. She swayed back and forth as she held me in an uncomfortably long hug. "Hi Dan! I've missed you twat. Why haven't you texted me?"

I was hit with one of the daily reminders of them. I looked at the carpet awkwardly. "I um it's just been hard since PJ and Chris' deaths. I'm sorry."

Phil shook my arm excitedly. "Dan you said it! You said their names. That's the first time since they died." My arm felt like he was going to rip it off.

I stared at him. I was shocked. "I did. I did it Phil! I did it."

"I'm really proud of you Dan." He replied earnestly.

Louise met my eyes apologetically. "I'm sorry I mentioned them. It was terrible what happened."

"It's okay Lou. Hey do you want pancakes?"

She gazed at me as if I was a lunatic. "Of course I want pancakes."

We sat down to the pancake feast. It wasn't the normal Christmas food but it was perfect. We talked like we had seen each other every day. I laughed more that meal than in the entirety of the last few months. I had missed Louise desperately.

What were they talking about?

Later that day

We had just finished dinner and we were sitting in the lounge chatting. Phil seemed unnecessarily nervous. Darcy had fallen asleep earlier and were trying not to wake her.

I saw Louise gesture to me out of the corner of my eye. What was going on?

Phil walked towards me slowly. He looked like he was going to vomit. He knelt in front of me. He pulled a small black box from his pocket. "Dan. Daniel James Howell. I have known you for years. We were best friends, lovers, and boyfriends. We've been together for the highs and the lows. I love you Dan." His voice was thick with emotion. "I love you so much. I want to love you for forever. Will you give me the chance? Daniel James Howell will you marry me?"

I feel a tear slide down my cheek. "Yes! Yes oh my god yes."

He wiped the tear away with his thumb. I laced my fingers under his chin and brought his lips to mine. His lips were salty with tears. I would be able to kiss him for the rest of my life. We would be able to grow old together. We could start a family. We could travel the world.

Louise coughed awkwardly. I pulled away happily. I couldn't stop grinning. I was engaged.

"Put the ring on loser." Said Louise with a wide smile.

I fumbled for the black box. Phil grabbed it first and slipped the silver band onto my finger. I pecked him on the lips. He grinned.

I could see our whole lives laid out before us. We were going to get married, adopt kids, have an entire future with each other, wake up side by side every day, cry when our kids go off to college, and we could be the gayest old couple ever.

"I love you." Phil whispered in my ear.

I couldn't stop grinning. At him, at Louise, at the world. "I love you too."