Michael woke before Lucas.
That alone felt unusual.
Normally, Lucas was the first to wake.
The first to stretch.
The first to pull Michael closer.
But this morning—
Michael opened his eyes first.
And immediately looked at his left hand.
The ring.
Still there.
Still shining.
Still unbelievable.
He lifted his hand toward the morning light.
And smiled.
"I said yes," he whispered.
Beside him, Lucas stirred.
Without opening his eyes, he reached for Michael's waist and pulled him back toward him.
"You're smiling too much," Lucas mumbled sleepily.
Michael laughed softly.
"You proposed."
Lucas finally opened one eye.
"And you said yes."
Michael turned to face him.
"I did."
Lucas smiled.
Then kissed his forehead.
Slow.
Warm.
Unhurried.
Their first morning as fiancés.
And somehow—
it felt different.
Softer.
Safer.
Permanent.
Unfortunately—
peace lasted only until breakfast.
The moment they entered the dining hall—
chaos had already started.
Jasail stood at the center of the room like a tiny general.
"I have made decisions."
Michael blinked.
"About what?"
"The wedding."
Lucas sighed.
"We've been engaged for twelve hours."
"That is enough time."
Grace sat nearby with coffee.
"Honestly, he's not wrong."
Lina had somehow already opened a laptop.
A spreadsheet glowed on the screen.
Michael stared.
"Is that a wedding budget?"
Lina looked offended.
"It's a wedding master plan."
Grandma adjusted her glasses.
"No ugly flowers."
Jasail gasped.
"No ugly colors either."
Lucas rubbed his forehead.
"This is already too much."
Michael laughed.
And for once—
he let everyone fuss over them.
It felt nice.
Then came ring inspection.
Jasail demanded it.
"Show me."
Michael extended his hand.
Jasail stared carefully.
Very seriously.
Turning the finger left.
Then right.
Then nodding.
"Acceptable."
Lucas looked offended.
"Acceptable?"
Jasail shrugged.
"You passed."
Everyone laughed.
Later that morning—
the serious conversation began.
Wedding location.
Michael folded his arms.
"Nigeria?"
Lucas tilted his head.
"China?"
Grace leaned forward.
"America?"
Lina suggested:
"What about destination?"
Everyone began talking at once.
Michael laughed.
"This is impossible."
Lucas smiled.
"We'll figure it out."
Then quietly—
he reached for Michael's hand beneath the table.
"No more hiding."
Michael looked at him.
His expression softened.
"Never again."
That afternoon—
Michael decided to call Sam.
The moment the video connected—
Sam screamed.
"There he is! The engaged man!"
Michael laughed.
"Calm down."
Lucas leaned into frame.
"Hello, Sam."
Sam's eyes widened.
"Wait—you're there too?"
Lucas nodded.
Sam clutched his chest dramatically.
"Oh this is premium content."
Michael laughed harder.
Then—
the seminary memories began.
Sam grinned wickedly.
"Remember when Michael tried separating that dormitory fight?"
Lucas laughed immediately.
Michael groaned.
"No."
Sam ignored him.
"And somehow he was the one who ended up in the clinic."
Lucas doubled over laughing.
"I forgot that!"
"You forgot?" Michael cried.
"You were laughing at me!"
Sam pointed at the screen.
"You looked so offended in that hospital bed."
Michael crossed his arms.
"I was innocent."
"No one was innocent in seminary," Lucas said.
That made all three laugh.
Then Sam's expression softened.
"And Frank."
Michael immediately rolled his eyes.
"Oh no."
Sam laughed.
"The boy threatened your life because he found out about Lucas."
Michael pointed.
"He made me cry."
Lucas looked guilty.
Sam nodded.
"Very true. I had to buy him snacks."
Lucas laughed so hard tears formed.
They all laughed again.
Then came choir memories.
Michael groaned.
"Please don't mention choir."
Sam clapped.
"You always sang too loudly."
"I was passionate!"
"You were off-key," Lucas corrected.
"Rude."
Then altar server memories.
Sam: "You dropped the candle once."
Michael: "It was slippery."
Lucas: "You almost set Father Anthony's robe on fire."
Michael covered his face.
"This call was a mistake."
But he was smiling too much to mean it.
For a moment—
they were boys again.
Not lawyers.
Not adults.
Just three former seminarians remembering the life that once shaped them.
Then Michael grew quieter.
"Sam…"
Sam looked at him.
"Do you still have Rev. Fr. Benedict's number?"
Sam smiled.
"Your favorite lecturer?"
Michael nodded.
"It's been too long."
Sam's face softened.
"I'll send it."
Michael smiled.
"Thank you."
That evening—
the wedding debate returned.
And this time—
it was serious.
Jasail stood again.
"This is final voting."
Lucas looked tired already.
"On what?"
"Theme."
Grace raised a hand.
"Beach wedding."
Lina nodded.
"Yes. Elegant."
Michael smiled.
"It sounds nice."
Then Jasail dramatically lifted his own hand.
"Forest wedding."
Grandma surprised everyone by agreeing.
"Forest."
Lucas blinked.
"You too?"
"It sounds peaceful."
Daniel, joining by video call, smiled.
"Forest."
Michael looked at Lucas.
Lucas sighed.
"I actually like forest."
Grace looked betrayed.
"You abandoned beach?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yes."
Lina threw up her hands.
"Traitors."
Then all eyes turned toward Michael.
Final vote.
Michael smiled.
Looked at Lucas.
Then at Jasail—
who looked dangerously hopeful.
And said:
"Forest."
Jasail screamed.
"I WON!"
He jumped onto a chair.
"FOREST WEDDING!"
Everyone laughed.
He pointed dramatically.
"I knew nature would win."
Grandma nodded proudly.
"A wise child."
Jasail folded his arms proudly.
"I have vision."
Michael leaned back in his chair.
Laughing.
Watching his fiancé
His family.
His future.
And for the first time—
wedding planning felt real.
A forest wedding.
Under trees.
Under open skies.
Not hidden.
Not secret.
Just love.
And that made Michael smile all over again.