Page 84 of Doyle

We stood together, watching as our friends mingled and laughed. For a moment, it was just the two of us.

I pulled him closer, wrapping my arm around his waist.

"You know," I murmured into his ear, "there's no place I'd rather be than right here, with you."

He leaned into me, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Me too," he whispered. "You've made me happier than I ever thought possible."

I kissed the top of his head, savoring the feeling of his warmth against me.

"We've come a long way, haven't we?” I asked him.

"Yeah," he said, looking up at me with those eyes that always managed to captivate me. "And I can't wait to see where we go from here."

His words filled me with a quiet joy.

"I love you, Michael,” I said, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face.

"I love you too, Doyle," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Eventually, the party winded down and our friends began to leave. Michael and I drove back to our cabin.

Once there, we walked hand in hand back to our home. I looked up and saw all the stars were all out tonight.

As we stepped inside, the warmth of the cabin enveloped us, and I pulled Michael into another embrace.

"Happy birthday," I whispered once more, holding him close. "Here's to many more."

Michael smiled up at me. "I can't wait."

THE END