Daniel's POV

Daniel and Johnny soaked up every minute of their time in Italy, wandering through the enchanting streets and uncovering more of the town’s hidden gems. As the days passed, the thought of leaving weighed on them, but they knew it was time to head back home.

Johnny expressed his reluctance with a deep sigh. “I don't want to leave. Can't we extend our stay for a little while longer?”

Daniel chuckled softly, packing his suitcase. “I wish we could, Johnny, but duty calls. We've got jobs waiting for us.”

Johnny let out a groan before responding, “Yeah, I guess.”

After a moment of contemplation, Daniel wondered if he could ask what Johnny's job was. “Speaking of jobs, now that we're married, are you going to tell me about your new job?” Daniel inquired.

He grinned and replied, “I work at Bobby's law firm.”

Daniel was taken aback. “Wait, you're a lawyer?”

Johnny simply nodded in response, to which Daniel connected the dots by saying, “That's how you were able to afford the ring.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess you could say that we’re rolling in money now.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Don't get too carried away.”

Johnny grinned. “Okay, okay.”

Johnny slowly made his way over to Daniel and wrapped his arms around him.

“Are you sure we can't extend our stay by just a day or two?” He murmured softly, planting tender kisses on Daniel's neck.

Daniel felt a twinge of temptation, but knowing that it was already Sunday, he knew we had to return home today.

Gently lifting Johnny’s chin, Daniel met his eyes and kissed him before whispering, “I'm certain, Johnny. We can plan a longer trip during Christmas break.”

That seemed to lift his spirits. “We definitely need to!”

“So, are you going to start packing now?” Daniel asked, trying to keep a straight face.

“I'll get to it later,” Johnny responded calmly.

Daniel raised an eyebrow in warning. "

“Johnny…”

“Okay, okay, I'll do it now,” Johnny relented, walking off to grab his suitcase.

Watching Johnny carelessly throw his clothes into the suitcase, Daniel couldn't help but think, ‘I've married a man-child.’

**

Despite the early 6 a.m. departure time, they successfully made it to our flight and settled in for the nine-hour journey. Daniel decided to pass the time by putting on his headphones and delving into the pages of a gripping book, while Johnny opted for the action-packed excitement of “The Terminator.” Johnny always seems to favour action movies over anything else, deeming other genres like rom-coms as “lame and unrealistic.”

Daniel had just finished reading the book, and as he closed it, he couldn't help but stifle a yawn. He was feeling quite tired, as he hadn't been able to get the best sleep last night, thanks to Johnny's shenanigans. Glancing at his phone, Daniel noticed that it was already ten in the morning, which meant that there were only four hours left until they would be back in Los Angeles.

“Johnny, I'm going to go to sleep, wake me up when we land,” Daniel said.

“Didn't sleep well last night?” Johnny asked.

“Because of you,” Daniel grumbled quietly.

Johnny's face flushed a deep crimson as he softly said, "I'm sorry, sweetheart." His voice carried a blend of regret and affection as he wished Daniel goodnight. Tenderly pushing Daniel's hair away from his forehead, Johnny planted a loving kiss there before returning to his movie.

**

When they landed, they were greeted by their friends.

Ali's voice echoed through the airport as she pointed excitedly and dashed towards their location, exclaiming, “They're over there!”

“What are you guys doing here?” Daniel asked, hugging everyone.

“We couldn't just not come; we had to be here,” Jessica emphasized.

“Yeah, there are so many things we're curious about!” Amanda exclaimed.

“Like, did you two make your marriage official?” Bobby inquired.

“What does that mean?” Johnny questioned.

“Did you two fuck?” Dutch bluntly asked.

“Dutch!” Ali yelled, hitting him.

“So many times,” Johnny smirked.

“Johnny, don't tell people that!” Daniel yelled, making him giggle.

Tommy cleared his throat. “Let's go; it's already so crowded in here.”

They left the bustling airport terminal and climbed into Dutch's old van, the leather seats creaking as they settled in. The van's engine rumbled to life as they made their way to Daniel and Johnny’s apartment complex. Upon arriving at their destination, their friends stayed in the van, eagerly watching them with visible excitement in the air.

“Are they going to leave?” Daniel asked Johnny.

A mischievous grin played on Johnny's lips as he replied, “Who knows?”

Daniel found Johnny's behaviour suspicious, but he decided to ignore it for now.

They walked up numerous flights of stairs to their apartment; it was on the fifth floor, so it was going to take a while to get up as they were also carrying their suitcases.

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“I can't wait to finally sleep in my own bed,” Daniel exclaimed with a wide grin.

Johnny's nervous nod seemed out of place, his demeanor oddly peculiar.

Concerned, Daniel turned to Johnny and asked, “Hey, Johnny, is everything alright with you?”

He smiled, though Daniel knew it was fake. The corners of Johnny's lips lifted, but his eyes remained distant, revealing the underlying turmoil. “Yeah, I'm okay,” he forced out.

“Are you sure?” Daniel persisted, noticing the tension in Johnny’s voice. “Is it because you wanted to stay longer in Italy?”

With a reassuring tone and a gentle smile that failed to reach his eyes, Johnny met Daniel's gaze. “I'm okay, I promise,” he said, but the subtle quiver in his voice betrayed his words.

Daniel gave him a little smile and turned around to take the apartment keys from under the doormat, but to his surprise, they weren't there.

Daniel panicked. “Shit, the keys aren't here.”

Johnny stayed silent for a moment before saying, “Yeah, because-”

Daniel didn't let him finish; he was too busy searching for the keys. “What if someone took them when we were in Italy and broke into our apartment and robbed the place?”

“Sweetheart, I'm trying to-”

“We had expensive things in there, Johnny. What if they're all gone now? I knew it was a bad idea to leave keys under the doormat. I'm so stupid, Johnny. What do we do? Should we tell our friends, or would that be embarrassing, or what if-”

“Daniel!” Johnny shouted, snapping Daniel out of his rant.

Daniel looked at him. “Yeah?”

“The key isn't under the mat because we don't live here anymore.”

“What?” Daniel asked, confused.

"I-I,” Johnny began.

"Johnny, what happened?”

Johnny took a deep breath, his eyes glittering with anticipation. “I bought us a house,” he said, his voice tinged with nervous excitement.

Daniel stood there, his mouth agape in disbelief. “What did you say?” His heart thundered in his chest, unable to process the enormity of Johnny's words.

“I bought us a house,” Johnny repeated, his hand nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

Daniel didn't know how to react. Johnny had just revealed that he had bought a house for both of them. Waves of emotions crashed over him. “Oh my God, Johnny bought us a house,” Daniel whispered, his voice trembling with awe.

Overwhelmed with joy, Daniel pulled Johnny in for a tight hug. “Oh my God, are you serious?” Daniel asked, his eyes brimming with tears of happiness.

Johnny chuckled nervously, his relief palpable. “Yeah,” he said with a hint of a smile.

Daniel placed a tender kiss on Johnny's cheek. “What are we waiting for? Let's go!”

Johnny’s smile widened, mirroring my excitement. “Yeah, let's go.”

As they walked out of the apartment complex and headed back to the van, Daniel couldn't contain his curiosity. “Let me guess,” Daniel said, half-jokingly. “You guys all knew, didn't you?”

“Of course, we did,” Tommy confirmed with a knowing smirk.

Amanda, unable to contain her enthusiasm, chimed in, “Gosh, I'm so excited for you to see it. It's stunning.” Her eyes gleamed with anticipation, mirroring my own.

**

As they drove towards the house, the neighbourhood radiated a sense of luxury, filled with spacious and elegant homes. The magnificence of the surroundings was clear, with many of the houses showcasing remarkable size and architectural elegance, reflecting the wealth of the local residents.

As soon as they reached their destination, I was completely captivated by the stunning beauty of the house. It stood majestically as a grand three-story structure, radiating a timeless and opulent charm with its intricately designed details. The symmetrical front immediately drew Daniel's attention, and he found himself appreciating the thoughtful design elements that enhanced its allure.

The roof was decorated with a variety of reddish-brown tiles, each contributing to the impressive beauty of the building. The exterior walls, coated in an elegant light beige, exuded a timeless charm. Upon closer inspection, Daniel could see the intricate craftsmanship displayed in every detail.

The upper floor featured two prominent rectangular windows flanking a central arched window, creating an artistic impression. A delightful balcony graced the area above the entrance, imparting an elegant touch to the already captivating façade. The entrance itself was a stunning focal point, with robust columns acting as guardians to a refined overhang above. The wooden doors, adorned with glass panels, radiated warmth and sophistication, while the garage doors harmoniously integrated with the overall design.

Not only was the grandness of the building impressive, but it was also enhanced by a short wall in front, increasing its royal demeanour. Daniel was surprised to see a magnificent gate that added to the attraction of the property, giving a hint of the opulence and sophistication that lay ahead.

As soon as the van stopped, Daniel took Johnny's hand and ran to the house.

“Someone's excited,” Johnny said.

“Of course I am, hurry”

They entered the house, it was even more breathtaking on the inside. Daniel couldn't help but grin.

“God, Johnny, it's furnished and everything.”

Johnny nodded, and Daniel leaned in to kiss him deeply, conveying all his emotions through that moment. Johnny responded with equal intensity, wrapping his arms around Daniel's waist and drawing him in until there was no space left between them. Johnny's tongue explored Daniel's mouth.

Just when Daniel thought they were lost in their own world, the others walked in sooner than he anticipated, but that didn't stop him from kissing Johnny.

“Gross!” Jimmy grimaced.

Ali cleared her throat and said, “Save it for later in the bedroom” as she gently pulled them apart.

Heat flooded Daniel's cheeks in embarrassment. “Sorry, let's go check out the rooms,” he suggested.

Daniel was still in awe of how beautifully furnished the house was. The colours were warm and inviting, and the kitchen and living room felt enormous. They headed upstairs to see their bedrooms. The master suite was stunning, complete with an ensuite and a spacious closet. Daniel couldn't wait to snuggle up to Johnny and fall asleep there.

As they made their way down the hall, they passed by yet another bathroom before reaching the end of the corridor. To Daniel's surprise, a small room revealed itself at the end. Stepping inside, his mind immediately painted a picture of a snug single bed or even bunk beds for their children. Daniel found himself lost in thoughts of setting up desks and computers for them, creating a cosy space for them to do their homework. The vision filled him with a sense of warmth and hope, as if it held the promise of a perfect life for them.

“This is just a spare room,” Johnny reassured him, sensing my thoughts. “No need to worry about it.”

Daniel gazed at Johnny, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. He could tell Johnny understood the dreams Daniel was weaving in his mind. “We'll discuss this later, okay?” Johnny said, letting out a knowing sigh.

Daniel nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “Okay.”

As they left the house, Daniel couldn't resist stealing one more glance at it.

“This will be our new home,” Daniel proclaimed, wrapping Johnny in a hug.

“Our home,” Johnny affirmed.

“Our home,” Daniel echoed, the realisation sinking in as our shared dream began to take shape.

**

Present Day

“Hello?”

“Hey, Daniel, are you there?” A hand waved in front of Daniel's face, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Hey,” he mumbled.

“Hey yourself,” Johnny replied.

“You've been lost in thought for a while. You okay?”

Daniel sighed, “Yeah, just reminiscing a bit.”

“Oh really?” Johnny's voice was filled with curiosity.

Daniel stood up to face Johnny fully, his breath catching in his throat. Johnny was wearing the navy blue suit that always made him look incredibly attractive. As he reached out, Daniel could feel the smooth fabric under his fingertips. With gentle caresses on Johnny's shoulder blades, their eyes locked, and Daniel could see the longing in Johnny’s gaze.

“Yeah,” Daniel said, pulling Johnny closer by his tie and capturing him in a passionate kiss. A soft moan escaped Daniel’s lips when Johnny broke the kiss to start trailing kisses along his neck.

“Johnny,” Daniel whispered, feeling breathless.

“Wait, Johnny,” he urged gently, pushing him back slightly.

Johnny pulled away, concern etched on his face.

“Is everything alright?”

“Everything’s perfect, really,” Daniel reassured him.

Johnny looked bewildered. Daniel continued, “We’ve lived together here for two years, just the two of us. Don’t you think it feels kind of lonely?”

“Maybe we could get a pet. I've always liked golden retrievers, or maybe a cat-”

“Johnny, I want a child,” Daniel cut in.

Johnny swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain about anything else in my life,” Daniel replied earnestly. “But only if you want it too. I don’t want to pressure you.”

“No, I think it’s time,” Johnny replied with a nod.

“Let’s have a kid.”

—————————————————

Author's Note!

Hey everyone! I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. I made the decision to write it in the third person because I find it easier that way. Unfortunately, with school starting in a few weeks, I’ll need to take a break. I’m not sure for how long, but I promise I'll be back before you know it. Also, I'll be posting some mini-one shots to keep you guys entertained. I have a couple of questions for you all: Should Daniel and Johnny adopt kids or have a surrogate? And how many kids should they have? I was thinking maybe two or three, but I'm open to your thoughts. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. Once again, I apologize for the upcoming break and I truly hope you enjoyed this chapter. Have an amazing day and take care!