8 Months later

On a beautiful July morning, Maddox and I strolled along the garden paths hand in hand, Tj glued to his phone behind us. As an 11 year old, he sure loved that thing ever since receiving it for Christmas. The sun was high in the sky, and the garden was in full bloom.

I sighed in contentment. After a lot of seducing, and frank conversations, I had convinced Maddox to allow Tj to live with us during his summer vacation, and the weekends. He still needed to be in the city for school, but we both were overjoyed to be able to see each other as often as we could.

Maddox cleared his throat. After a second time, I looked over at him, concerned.

Maddox glanced behind us and addressed Tj, "Tj, why don't you get off your phone and enjoy the garden. Especially the bushes." Maddox placed emphasis on the bushes part.

I looked at him, confused. What was that about? I mean, the bushes were nice and all, but they weren't anything to get overexcited about.

Tj blinked at Maddox, before realization dawned on his young features. He pocketed his phone, before veering away from us and traveling down a different path.

"What was that about, Maddox?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing to be concerned about. Just a...secret between friends." His face of exaggerated innocence betrayed nothing of his thoughts or meaning.

"Alright......" I stared at Maddox's innocent face for a few more minutes, before going back to enjoying the glorious summer day and the feel of Maddox's hand in mine.

A few minutes passed before Tj came sprinting back. Out of breath, he held his palm out to me.

"What is this?"

"Just..take...it," Tj managed to huff out.

He dropped it into my own outstretched palm, and I brought it closer to my eyes to better see.

Sunlight glinted off a simple copper ring. A thought permeated my mind, but it felt too spectacular to even consider. Could it really be..?

"Maddox..." I turned around to face him, my words trailing off in a tearful gasp.

Maddox was down on one knee against the stone pathway. He took my hands into his, and I nearly started weeping.

"Austin," Maddox cleared his throat, but this time I could tell it was from nerves.

"Austin, it took me a long time to work up the courage to do this. I had the penny from that day in the garden, where stooping down to grab it possibly saved your life, melted down to create that ring, months ago. But I couldn't work up the courage to give it to you. Not until Roland caught me staring at it one day, and told me to 'get my ass in gear and give that ring to Austin'."

A watery chuckle escaped me, as I squeezed Maddox's hands as he continued.

"I never realized what you would become to me when I first saw you standing in your house. Defiant, despite your fear. You were the first man to pull my heart strings. The first man to really make me feel human again. The fact that you trust me enough to hand yourself over to me in the bedroom means everything to me, and I'm honoured to have your trust and love. Every day I strive to become the person you deserve, and maybe I'll get there someday."

"You already are there, Maddox."

Maddox smiled widely. "You're ruining my proposal, Austin."

A few tears fell down my cheeks as I kneeled on the ground next to Maddox, taking his face between my hands. "Just ask me already so I can kiss you."

Maddox's adam apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes! A thousand fucking times yes!"

Our lips met in a messy, exuberant kiss. Neither of us could contain our jubilation.

"So do I get to be the best man?"

The question from Tj broke our lips apart, and we both dissolved into a fit of giddy, unchecked laughs.

I had never been more happy. Ever. And I was incredibly excited for the rest of my life with Maddox.

Maddox slipped the ring over my finger, and I admired it as it glinted in the light. Turns out it really was a lucky penny.

Thank you for sticking around for Maddox and Austin's story :)

I would be absolutely, positively thrilled if you voted for Lucky Penny!!

Love you guys so so much for reading my work! Kisses! Mwah!

P.S. there will be a Christmas Short Story featuring Maddox, Austin, and Tj if anyone is interested :)

P.P.S.S. Be sure to check out my other stories :)