I remember everything he does quite well.
He just does it in this way that you can�t help but take notice of what time it is, what day and date�and this is really not any different.
It was the morning of April 14, 2002.
I was lying in my bed, a white satin sheet covering my body from the waist down. I felt a light touch on my chest and opened my eyes.
It was him.
It�s always him.
�Morning,� I said sleepily, rolling over onto my right side, caressing his face lightly.
His fingers played over my side, up and down in slow, languid motions. His touch bought goose bumps to my skin.
�Morning,� he said ever so softly, leaning forward to place the softest of kisses on my exposed upper arm.
I smiled and shivered with delight. �How long have you been awake?�
He shrugged, his fingers still moving over my side. �An hour or so.�
�You�ve been watching me sleep?�
He nodded, sheepishly, his hand pausing for just a second before beginning the pattern again. �You�re so beautiful when you�re sleeping.�
I smiled. �So is that why I deserve being woken by an angel?�
He blushed slightly dipping his head. �No. I have something to ask you.�
I frowned slightly, wondering what could be so important that he would need to wake me.
The look on his face revealed that it was important, his jaw was clenched in determination, and his hand had stopped its motion.
�Dom, what�s the matter?� I asked, suddenly concerned.
�No, no, nothing,� he said.
I felt my heart flip-flop. I could see the anxiety in his eyes, his touch somewhat different, jumpy, like his body and mind were conflicted.
I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, dream away the confusion.
�What is it, sweetheart?� I asked again, my hand reaching for his cheek to stroke momentarily.
Dom leaned into my touch, and I swear, I saw him stop breathing for the longest time. Then, his chest rose suddenly, and then deflated, air rushing out of his mouth quickly.
�Do you love me?� he asked softly, his eyes looking down at the space between our bodies.
I felt my heart soften and I tipped his head up so I could look into his slate grey eyes. �With all that I possess.�
He smiled faintly, his lips curving into the slightest of smiles. �Close your eyes.�
I did as I was told, rolling onto my back, and I immediately heard Dom fumbling around in his bedside table.
My interest piqued, and I was tempted to open my eyes and peak, but suddenly, the bed sank and I knew Dom had returned.
�Can I open them yet?�
�Uh uh,� Dom said, and I could practically see him shaking his head.
I grinned as he fiddled around a bit more with something.
He placed something light, soft and long on my chest.
�And�� Dom began. ��Open.�
I did so, and looked at the long-stemmed red rose. �You�re too beautiful,� I told Dom, picking up the rose and sat up a bit.
I leant in close and took a whiff of the heavenly scent. I looked at the rose, so delicate, so perfect. My fingers stroked the petals, and suddenly, something fell from it.
My eyes watched the platinum ring fall and land on the satin sheet next to my hip.
�Dom?� I asked shakily, my eyes fixated on the band as it lay between our bodies.
He reached for it, picking up the ring in his fingers, setting it down on my stomach.
I swallowed. �What�s this?� I tore my eyes away from the piece of jewellery and looked at him, my eyes searching his.
�It�s a ring,� Dom said, a smile dancing in his eyes as he tired hard to keep his lips from curving.
�I know that love, but why is it on my stomach?�
A touch of a smile teased the corner of his lips. �Don�t know, Bills.�
I frowned. �Stop being an arse, Dom.�
Now a full smile sat on his lips. �Who? Me?�
I couldn�t help but smile. �You bloody wanker��
He laughed, tipped his head back and let out a laugh. �Tell me what you think it is, Bills.�
I gave him a punch on the arm. �It looks like a ring. I just don�t know why you�d be giving it to me.�
Dom�s laugh tapered off and he set his eyes on me. �Why do you think I�d be giving it to you?�
�Our anniversary?� I suggested, running my fingers over his chin.
He shook his head.
�My birthday?�
Shook his head again.
�I know, it�s for Orlando, and Kate asked you to hold onto it for when she proposes to him?�
Shake of the head.
�Elijah�s birthday present? Sean�s? Viggo�s?�
He shook his head three times. �You don�t seem to be very good at this game��
I rolled my eyes upwards, pretending to think, tapping my index finger against my chin. �I got it!� I said at last.
�Oh?�
I smiled. �It�s a fellowship ring. You�re thinking of getting each member of the fellowship one for Christmas.�
Dom rolled his eyes and fell back onto his pillow. �You daft bugger!� he whinged, pressing his eyes shut.
I grabbed the ring and leant over, leaning on his chest, placing soft kisses over his nipples.
I set the ring down over his bellybutton. �Well then, Dommie. Why don�t you tell me you have this fine piece of jewellery?�
He opened his eyes. �I think you should figure that our for yourself��
I frowned and picked up the ring, dragging it over his stomach, up his chest. �Come on Dommie�tell me.�
A smile played on his lips. �No.�
�Please?� I traced patterns on his chest with the ring, making star shapes and zigzags.
�Maybe later��
I traced a nipple with the ring. �Now��
�Ok��
I sat up and looked at Dom expectantly, who had shut his eyes again. �Dommie!� I whined.
He opened his eyes and sat up, taking the ring from my hand.
I felt my stomach began to flip-flop out of control as he made a fist around the ring, his brow fixed in frustration.
�Billy��
�Yes, Dom?�
He looked up and took my hands in his. �Billy, I love you.�
�I lo��
�No,� he said suddenly. �I have a little speech.�
I smiled and encouraged him by nodding.
He took a deep breath. �Billy, I love you. I can�t imagine loving anyone else. You�re my best friend, my lover, my life. You look into my eyes and see my soul. And in you, I see everything I want to be. Billy Boyd, will you marry me?�
My body began to tremble as Dom slid the platinum ring onto my ring finger, the cool metal fitting my finger perfectly.
�Oh Dom�� I whispered.
He bought my hands to his lips and kissed the ring.
�Yes Dom�of course��
He looked up at me, and a tear ran down his cheek.
I pulled him into my arms and showered his face in kisses.
�God, I love you so much�� I said between kisses, my arms holding him tightly against my chest.
He kissed me on the lips and sat back, looking at me with those intense eyes.
�What is it, love?� I asked, caressing his face.
�Nothing Billy. It�s just�you�re some kind of miracle.�
