Chapter Text
Joe had just finished his piece of toast when Sonia pushed him towards the front door.
"Please leave, Santi Clausi," Sonia said. "And don't come home before dinner."
"Just out of curiosity," Joe replied. "Why is it I'm being thrown out?"
"Because I say so," Sonia replied. "And no eavesdropping."
Joe looked at Nicky.
"I would do as she tells you to do," Nicky said. "Everything will make sense later."
"Fair enough," Joe replied. "But first, I want a kiss and a hug."
After kissing Nicky and hugging Sonia, Joe left. Then, Sonia and Nicky cleaned the kitchen together.
"Just going to the bathroom," Nicky said. "Be back soon."
Sonia nodded. When Nicky came back to the kitchen, Sonia had put on her sandals.
"Sonia," Nicky said. "Are you going somewhere?"
"To the baker. Alone, if it's okay with you," Sonia replied. "You can see me out of the window the entire time."
Joe and Nicky had started giving Sonia small chores, one of which was to get bread from the baker next door.
"Go," Nicky said. "But if you aren't back in ten minutes, then I'll get you."
Sonia nodded, and after a hug, she left. Five minutes later, Sonia came back with the baker Enzo, who was carrying a big packet.
"Enzo helped me," Sonia said. "Could you place it on the floor for me?"
"No problems," Enzo replied before doing it. "Remember, I want it back before you leave."
"I promise," Sonia replied. "And thanks again for letting me borrow it."
"Don't mention it," Enzo replied. "See you both later."
Nicky leaned up against the doorframe.
"So, Sonia," Nicky said. "Do you wanna tell me what's in the box?"
"A soap bubble machine," Sonia replied. "Santi Clausi loves soap bubbles, so I asked Enzo if I could borrow his soap bubble machine today. And he said yes."
Nicky smiled. He loved how attentive Sonia was.
"Santi Clausi," Sonia said. "Could you help me with the machine?"
Nicky nodded, and together, they got everything ready for the proposal.
"Don't worry, Uncle Daddy," Sonia said. "I know Santi Clausi will say yes."
When Joe came home, the first thing he was met with was soap bubbles. Then, when he came into the living room, he saw Sonia standing in the middle of the room with Nicky behind her. Sonia wore a dress with dinosaurs, while Nicky wore his best jeans and a shirt.
"Hi, Santi Clausi," Sonia said. "Uncle Daddy got something he wants to ask you, but before he does that, I want to tell you why you should say yes."
Sonia took Joe's hand and got him to sit down on a chair.
"Interesting. Can't wait to see what you two have been up to," Joe said. "I love the soap bubbles."
Sonia turned around and looked at Nicky.
"See," Sonia said. "Told you."
Nicky nodded with a smile. Then, Sonia found her list. When Nicky sensed that Sonia was nervous, he placed a hand on her shoulder, and it gave her the courage she needed.
"There are five reasons," Sonia said. "Are you ready to hear them, Santi Clausi?"
"I can't wait," Joe replied with a smile. "This is going to be fun."
Sonia took a deep breath before she began telling the reasons.
"The first reason is I like you, and so does Uncle Daddy. The second reason is I love our family. And the third one is I want us to be together forever," Sonia said. She looked at Nicky and then Joe. Both men were smiling. "The fourth reason is I hope for a Big Sister or Little Sister. Preferably one as cool as Alix. And I don't mind if she has a mohawk."
Joe and Nicky exchanged a smile. Joe knew he had to tell Alix that Sonia saw her as a cool person.
"The fifth reason why you should say yes to Uncle Daddy's question," Sonia said. "I really want a dog. And if I can't have that, I want a dinosaur. Like the ones on telly."
Sonia then looked at Nicky.
"Your turn, Uncle Daddy," Sonia said. "I'll hold your hand if you need it."
"Thanks, Sweetie," Nicky replied. "I would love that."
Sonia took Nicky's hand, and it somehow grounded him. After taking a deep breath, Nicky started to speak. Never before in his life had Nicky been this nervous.
"Yusuf," Nicky said. "I'm not a man of big words, but I know our love can never be described with big words because we don't need the big words. All I need is to look into your eyes and see everything you feel for me. And I feel so loved."
Nicky took a deep breath.
"So, you have heard Sonia's reasons and what I feel," Nicky said as he got down on one knee. "Do you want to marry me, Yusuf?"
Nicky held up the ring, but Joe didn't say anything.
"Uncle Daddy?" Sonia asked. "Why is Santi Clausi crying?"
Before Nicky could say anything, Joe let out a squeal of joy before he flew into Nicky's arms, knocking Nicky over. Then, Joe kissed Nicky's face.
"Of course, I want to marry you," Joe said. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, a million times."
Then Joe kissed Nicky again and again until he realized that Sonia was still there. When Joe looked at Sonia, she was smiling.
"See told you, Uncle Daddy," Sonia said. "That Santi Clausi would say yes."
Joe kissed Nicky again.
"You should listen to Sonia more often," Joe said. "Can I have my ring now?"
Nicky looked at his hand.
"Yes, when I have found it," Nicky replied. "I lost it when you kissed me."
"Oh, that's not good," Joe replied. "Did you see which direction it went?"
Nicky shook his head. Together, they started to search for the ring. While searching, Nicky turned off the soap bubble machine.
"I found the ring, which bodes well for me in case I lose it in the future, which I'm not planning to do," Joe said with a smile. "Nico, please put it on my finger."
Nicky took the ring and put it on the finger. Then they kissed again.
"I'm hungry," Sonia said. "You promised we could have pizza tonight, Uncle Daddy."
"I did, yes," Nicky replied. "Is that okay with you, Yusuf?"
Joe just nodded. He was busy looking at his newest ring, which he already loved so much.
"Santi Clausi," Sonia said. "The ring is from Uncle Daddy, but the pink stone is from me. So, you won't ever forget me."
Joe hugged Sonia.
"I don't think I could ever forget you, Sonia," Joe said. "And I love both the ring and the stone. Is it an amethyst?"
"Yes," Sonia replied. "I chose it because it's purple."
"I absolutely love it," Joe replied. "Thanks to you both for one of my life's best gifts."
Half an hour later, they were eating dinner.
"This was a fun day," Sonia said. "Are we doing the wedding tomorrow so I can get a sister and a dog?"
Both Joe and Nicky stopped eating and looked at Sonia. They didn't know what to say.
