Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to Hollyoaks!

Summary: Set after the story 'Coming out'. Brendan and Ste prepare for their wedding.

A/N: I couldn't resist writing this after the cliffhanger of the last fic. It's going to be in a few long parts, not sure how many yet. Enjoy!

Marry You

Chapter One: Engagement

Ste sat beside Brendan on the plane, probably looking as gormless as he felt. Brendan smiled at him affectionately and gently closed his mouth for him with one hand.

"I hope ye won't be like this the whole way, Stephen" Brendan teased, settling himself in his seat comfortably.

Ste looked at him incredulously. "How do you expect me to react, Bren? You practically just proposed to me!"

Brendan chuckled, apparently delighted. "Did I now?" He asked sardonically, arching an eyebrow.

Ste frowned, starting to doubt himself.

"Well, that's what it sounded like…"

Brendan placed a hand gently over Ste's. "We'll discuss it more later, ye? When we've landed"

"Okay…" Ste said uncertainly. He felt a bit pale and distinctly nauseous. He couldn't tell if it was the conversation, or the unsteady motion of the plane.

Brendan's brow furrowed. "Ye okay, Stephen?" He asked, concerned.

"Um, yeah. I've never been on a plane before" Ste replied, gripping the seat tightly.

"Ye should have said so" Brendan scolded him.

"Well I thought it was fairly obvious" Ste muttered, staring straight ahead.

Brendan sighed. "Do ye normally get travel sickness?"

Ste glanced at him briefly. "I don't travel anywhere"

Ste could feel Brendan looking at him intensely. "Give me your wrist, Stephen"

Ste obliged, feeling a little shaky with sickness. He distantly wondered what colour he was. Brendan took his wrist gently and placed two fingers over his pulse, rubbing in soothing circles.

"What are you doing?" Ste asked curiously, looking at Brendan.

"The pressure is supposed to help with the sickness. I'll do it the whole way if I have to"

Ste flushed. "Don't be silly, I'll be alright…"

Brendan shook his head. "I should have asked ye about flying, I wasn't thinking" He sounded genuinely upset by this.

Ste smiled, starting to feel a little better. "Bren, you shouldn't worry about me so much"

"But I do" Brendan said earnestly, looking deeply into Ste's face.

Ste shifted uncomfortably. "You big softie" Ste whispered, blushing again. The way Brendan looked at him sometimes made Ste feel as though he were looking directly into his very soul. It was appropriate really, considering how deep within Ste's core Brendan existed. Ste had always felt an odd sense of emptiness but now that he had Brendan properly, he didn't feel that way anymore. Everything was complete.

"I love you" he said softly, grinning stupidly.

"Glad to hear it" Brendan said good-naturedly. "Feeling better?"

"A little yeah" Ste took a deep breath, laying his head back. Brendan called over the air hostess to request a glass of water.

"Small sips" Brendan instructed, holding the glass in front of Ste's face.

"Thanks" Ste mumbled, taking a sip. He sighed deeply. "That's a bit better"

Brendan continued to stare at him. "Maybe ye should sleep"

"It's only an hour away…"

"Even so, don't want ye throwing up on me" Brendan teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I guess so…" Ste agreed, shifting himself in an attempt to get comfortable.

"Here" Brendan said, opening up his arm for Ste to slot in to. "Lay on me"

Ste glanced around warily. "You don't mind?" He asked uncertainly.

Brendan looked at him evenly. "Course not. Now come here"

Ste didn't need telling twice. He allowed himself to be cradled by Brendan, his head resting comfortably on his shoulder, Brendan's arm wrapped around his waist securely whilst Ste's arm was draped over Brendan's.

"Close ye eyes, Stephen. I'll tell ye when we're landing" Brendan whispered into his hair, kissing the top of his head.

"Okay" Ste mumbled. He was admittedly quite tired. It had been a long day and the sickness didn't help much. A little nap wouldn't hurt.

He woke up later, feeling as though no time had passed at all. In reality it had been about forty five minutes. Brendan's head was rested on top of his head, dozing contentedly. Ste smiled. So much for him telling him when they were landing…

"Bren, wake up" Ste whispered.

Brendan's lips moved together but he didn't open his eyes.

"Brendan" Ste said a little louder this time. Brendan grunted.

"Brendan!"

"What? What?" Brendan startled, blinking rapidly.

"You fell asleep" Ste smiled, stroking Brendan's cheek.

Brendan smiled, his eyes closing. "Only dozed off for a minute…"

"I think we're landing soon" Ste said, glancing down the aisle. "How are we getting to the hotel?"

"Taxi" Brendan mumbled, attempting to rouse himself fully. "We'll go by Eileen's tomorrow. She's expecting us"

"Great" Ste said, trying not to sound nervous. He didn't fool Brendan however.

"What's wrong?" Brendan asked him, smirking.

"I'm meeting your wife and children; it's quite a big step"

Brendan laughed low in his throat. "I've met ye kids, ye will be fine"

"But Eileen…" Ste began nervously.

"What about her?"

"Well, won't she hate me?"

"Why should she?"

"I dunno, she was probably well pissed off with Macca. How am I any different?"

"I cheated on her with Macca. Plus that was just sex, this is…"

"This is what?" Ste asked, smiling brightly and blinking up at Brendan.

"Love" Brendan said quietly.

XXX

Once they were off the plane and had collected their suitcases, Brendan led Ste towards an available taxi. Brendan told the driver the name of their hotel and then put an arm around Ste's shoulders. Ste leaned in to him, loving the fact that he could do this now.

When they reached their hotel and were led to their room, Ste immediately crashed on the bed, lying spread-eagled, his hands over his face. He felt his shirt rise up towards his midriff as a result.

"I am going to sleep so well tonight" He announced.

Brendan said nothing but Ste felt the definite weight upon the bed and then felt Brendan's lips on his stomach.

"Not yet I hope" He murmured silkily, his tongue licking around Ste's belly button.

Ste felt himself flush all over his body.

"Um, no, not yet" he whispered shakily, his hand fisting in Brendan's hair.

"Good" Brendan murmured, pulling off Ste's trousers and licking around his groin area teasingly. Ste's grip in Brendan's hair tightened. "Ye like that, huh?" Brendan asked, licking up the base of Ste.

"Y-yes" Ste stammered, closing his eyes. "Please, Bren…"

"Please what?" Brendan asked, raising himself to look at Ste.

"You know" Ste groaned, pushing his hips upwards.

"We are keen tonight, aren't we?" Brendan teased, slowly moving his mouth around the base of Ste, moving his mouth down slowly, licking languorously. "Mmm" Brendan murmured appreciatively, his hands gripping Ste's shirt.

Ste groaned again in response, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. "Feels… so fucking good" he mumbled.

Brendan removed his mouth from around Ste. "Language, Stephen" he said before moving to kiss him hungrily on the lips and then kissing along his jaw line towards his neck.

Ste pulled Brendan back towards his mouth and kissed him earnestly, his hands gripping the back of Brendan's head. "Fuck" he panted when Brendan moved back towards the bottom of the bed, removing his clothes.

"I'm gonna get on top of ye, Stephen" Brendan told him; Ste merely nodded.

Ste grunted in response as Brendan pushed himself inside. Rocking gently, Brendan placed his hands either side of Ste's head, his muscles tightening in his arms. He kissed him again, more softly this time, the antithesis of his strong thrusts.

"Brendan…Bren" Ste moaned incoherently, grabbing at Brendan's shirt which was still on but unbuttoned.

"Tell me ye want me" Brendan demanded, his thrusts getting more desperate now.

"I want you"

"Tell me ye need me"

"Bren! I need you"

"Tell me ye-"

"I love you" Ste answered for him, his voice shaking with the sincerity of his words. With a final groan Brendan came, his arms collapsing causing him to support himself above Ste on his elbows, his forehead rested against Ste's own. He was breathing hard and erratically.

"Marry me" he breathed, his eyes searching Ste's face.

"What?" Ste asked incredulously.

Brendan moved one of his hands to rest on Ste's cheek. "I'm serious, marry me" he said. Ste didn't think he had ever seen him look so intense.

"I…" Ste began, not knowing what to say. His heart was in his throat, his head was swimming, his stomach in knots. Was this really and truly happening?

Brendan started to look vulnerable. "Stephen…" he prompted.

Ste shook his head to clear it. He knew his answer; he didn't think he had ever been so sure of something in his entire life. "Yes" he said carefully, deliberately. "Yes, I'll marry you".

Brendan's eyes gleamed triumphantly before he kissed Ste eagerly, rolling over onto the bed, dragging Ste on top of him.

Ste laughed whilst Brendan continued to kiss him all over. "Bren! Give me some air!" He protested, loving it all the same.

"Never" Brendan said, wrapping his arms around Ste in a vice-like grip. "I could kiss ye forever, for saying that"

Ste's eyes shone happily. "I might just hold you to that"

XXX

Later that night, both men finally found themselves tired out from their eventful day. Ste lay wrapped up in Brendan's arms, his head resting on his chest.

"I can't believe you proposed" Ste laughed, feeling incredibly giddy.

"I can't believe ye said yes" Brendan countered.

"Why wouldn't I?" Ste asked curiously, glancing up at Brendan.

"It's not something I thought men should do…"

Ste frowned. "Why ask then?"

"Because I've changed" Brendan said thoughtfully. "And because I want ye to be mine, officially. I want to show people that I love ye, and there's no turning back from it"

Ste smiled happily, snuggling closer to Brendan. "I am so happy, me" he said, grinning.

Brendan chuckled. "That's good. There's still a lot we have to talk about…"

"I know" Ste said, yawning. "But we should sleep now, big day tomorrow"

"Ye…" Brendan agreed. "My kids" he said wistfully. Ste stroked along his arm.

"I can't wait to meet them"

"They're top boys, best ever…"

"I'll bet" Ste smiled, closing his eyes. "Night, Bren"

"Night, Stephen"

"Oh and Brendan?" Ste added.

"Ye?"

"Thank you, you've just, you've no idea-"

"I know" Brendan said softly, holding Ste closer.

Ste nodded and gradually began to drift off to sleep.

XXX

The next day Ste woke up to find himself alone in the bed. He glanced around himself for a moment before hearing the shower in the bathroom. He settled back down, satisfied. The events of last night came flooding back to him in a rush, making his heart pound with the excitement of it all. And there was more to come today. Today he would finally meet Brendan's family.

Brendan emerged from the shower a while later, towel wrapped around his waist.

"Shame" Ste murmured, looking him up and down.

"What is?" Brendan asked, raising his eyebrows.

"That you're wearing a towel" Ste replied, rising from the bed.

Brendan slowly removed his towel, before bending over his suitcase to locate some clothes. Ste stared at the back of him appreciatively, licking his lips.

"I have a question" he said cheerfully, leaning against the bedside cabinet.

"Hm?"

"Will I be Ste Brady?" Ste grinned, loving the way the name sounded on his lips.

"No" Brendan said bluntly. "Ye will be Stephen Brady"

Ste laughed, moving towards Brendan and wrapping his arms around his waist. "Why do you insist on calling me Stephen, hm?"

"Because it's yer name" Brendan reasoned. "Don't ye like it?" He asked, turning to face Ste.

Ste was thoughtful for a moment. "I do, actually. It's like it's personally reserved for you"

"Exactly" Brendan nodded, moving out of Ste's embrace to dress himself. "I couldn't work out what to wear…" he added, looking confused.

"Something casual. No suit" Ste instructed.

"Why not?" Brendan asked, brow furrowed.

"You're seeing your kids; they don't wanna see scary man in suit"

Brendan smirked at Ste. "I'm scary in my suits, am I?"

Ste laughed. "Kind of. Definitely more intimidating"

Brendan nodded, picking up a white t-shirt and pair of jeans. He finished the complete outfit with his leather jacket.

"Lovely" Ste complimented him.

"Hm" Brendan said, glancing at his watch. "Ye better get ready, we have to leave soon"

"Okay" Ste nodded, moving towards the bathroom.

"Stephen" Brendan said, diverting Ste's attention back to him.

"Yeah?"

"Ye can keep yer last name if ye prefer, just know I won't be taking yers"

"I wouldn't expect you to, Mr Alpha" Ste teased. "But no, I like it. God knows the family name hasn't exactly filled me with pride" Ste felt a twinge of sadness at the thought but shook his head. "Be back in a minute"

XXX

When they were both ready, Brendan got them a taxi and they travelled along in silence. Brendan was as calm as ever on the outside but Ste knew him well enough by now to know how tense he was feeling. Ste placed a hand on his arm, smiling at him encouragingly.

"It's gonna be fine"

"Ye…ye, I know" Brendan said, glancing out the window. "I wanna take the boys out for a bit, will ye come?" Brendan looked back at him.

"Of course" Ste smiled. "I can't wait to meet your kids"

Brendan stared out of the window again. "It's a special day"

Ste nodded. "It is"

They finally reached their destination when the taxi turned into an intimate housing district. Ste looked at the houses, sensing that they weren't for the richest of people but for those who lived comfortably. Money certainly wasn't anything. Ste had learnt that growing up on a council estate with his drunken mother and abusive stepfather. Even if they had had all of the money in the world it wouldn't have stopped them from being truly terrible people. They certainly wouldn't be coming to the wedding. Ste hadn't told Brendan much about his family but now they were going to be married, he probably ought to. It wasn't something he was particularly comfortable talking about, but Brendan needed to know if he was going to be his…husband. Ste smiled to himself at the thought; he never knew such a thing were possible to be this happy. Brendan had truly changed his life for the better, irrevocably.

"Ready?" Brendan asked him, his hand on the taxi door.

"Yeah" Ste answered, following him out.

Brendan guided him towards the door with a hand on the small of his back. He walked them up to a house with a blue door, and knocked purposefully. Brendan took a deep steadying breath, glanced once more at Ste, and then the door opened to reveal a young boy, no older than six, beaming brightly at them.

"Daddy!" He said gleefully, running into Brendan's arms. Brendan bent down to meet him, wrapping him tightly against him.

"Paraic" he murmured, kissing his son on the head.

"Who is it, Paddy?" A woman's voice called from inside. Ste looked up and saw Eileen approaching. She glanced at Ste first without surprise and then looked down at Brendan and Paidrag.

"Brendan" she greeted him tightly.

Brendan straightened up, holding Paraic's hand.

"Eileen" he greeted her, nodding.

"Come in" She offered, stepping aside. Brendan glanced back at Ste, who followed behind Brendan and Paraic.

They walked into the living room where a young boy, around ten in age was sitting on the sofa. He looked shockingly like Brendan; minus the tashe. His hair was the same dark black, his eyes the same pale blue. Paraic in contrast looked more like his mother with light brown hair and green eyes.

"Dad" Declan said happily, rushing forwards to embrace Brendan.

"Alright, son?" Brendan greeted him, his eyes crinkling at the corners with his smile.

"Never better"

Brendan looked him up and down. "Ye seem a lot more balanced"

"Yeah the treatment's going really well, Dad"

"Glad to hear it" Brendan smiled, ruffling Declan's hair and glancing at Eileen. "Ye remember Stephen?" He said, gesturing with one hand in Ste's direction.

"I do" Eileen said, somewhat coldly. Ste felt distinctly uncomfortable.

"Boys, this is Stephen" Brendan said to his two sons. They both smiled at Ste brightly.

"Nice to meet ye" Declan said, shaking his hand. He had Brendan's confident manner but it was untarnished due to blissful youth. Clearly Brendan wanted to make sure his own children were brought up a great deal more carefree than he was.

"Can I speak to ye in private, Brendan?" Eileen asked pointedly. Brendan glanced at Ste warily.

"Ye be alright, Stephen?"

"Of course" Ste said, his smile tight. He could feel Eileen's disapproving eyes on him.

Brendan touched his arm briefly before following Eileen to the kitchen.

XXX

"Ye don't seem happy to see us, Eileen" Brendan noted, his fingers trailing along the counter top.

"I am" Eileen insisted, her expression softening a little. "The boys were so excited"

"Then what's the problem?" Brendan asked, looking at her.

"Why did ye bring…Stephen?" Eileen asked, staring at Brendan smoothly.

"Because I wanted him to meet the boys"

"But why? He's just one of your playthings isn't he? I don't want them getting attached"

Brendan looked at her coldly. "No, he isn't. In fact I proposed to him last night"

Eileen laughed without humour. "Ye did what? Are ye kidding me, Bren?"

"No" Brendan said curtly. "I love him"

Eileen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I believe that" she said sarcastically. "Ye only love yourself, Bren"

"I've changed"

Eileen shook her head, unconvinced.

"Ye will see" Brendan promised her warningly. "Now I want ye to be nice to Stephen, he's done nothing wrong"

Eileen sighed and looked at Brendan again. "Alright, but he won't get in the way of our settling the divorce?"

"Course not"

"Is that why ye suddenly wanted it? To marry him?" Eileen seemed to be considering the weight of Brendan's intentions.

"Partly" Brendan admitted. "We can't stay married forever though, Eileen"

"I know that, Michael and I have discussed getting married as well"

Brendan's expression darkened. "He ain't gonna be a dad to my kids"

"Of course not!" Eileen protested. "Nothing will ever change that" she said more kindly, placing a hand on Brendan's arm. "It is nice to see ye, Bren. Ye do seem…happier"

"I am"

"I'm glad to hear it"

"And are you?" Brendan asked gently.

Eileen considered this for a moment. "Yes, I believe I am"

Brendan smiled at her. "Good" he said, appeased.

They went back into the living room where Stephen was sitting in the middle of Brendan's boys, watching television and chatting happily together. Brendan smiled, the sight warming his heart. His three favourite boys in one place, what could be better?

"Enjoying yerselves?" Brendan asked, sitting beside Paraic on the sofa.

"Yes, Daddy" Paraic answered, beaming up at him. "We like Ste very much"

"Stephen" Brendan corrected, like a reflex. He laughed a little to himself.

"Is he yer special friend?" Declan asked pointedly. Brendan glanced up at Eileen.

"I explained to them best I could" she told him. Brendan nodded.

"Ye, he is Declan" Brendan said, feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm glad" Declan said, looking at Brendan earnestly. "It's nice seeing ye so happy"

Brendan ruffled his hair again, feeling a bit emotional. Stephen smiled at him happily. Out of the corner of his eye, Brendan could have sworn he saw Eileen smile as well.

"Daddy's taking ye boys out today" Eileen informed them, nodding at Brendan. "Go get yer stuff ready"

The two boys jumped up and rushed out of the room. Brendan and Stephen stood up to face Eileen, who looked at Stephen a little more warmly this time.

"It's nice to see ye again" she told him, looking pointedly at Brendan. "I expect I'll be seeing a lot more of ye"

"Yeah, you will" Stephen said, straightening. Brendan felt very proud of him.

"I'll see ye both later" Eileen said, looking at Brendan. "We have a lot to sort out"

Brendan nodded, guiding Stephen out of the room.

XXX

The week in Ireland passed by eventfully. Every day they were there Brendan and Ste visited his boys and Brendan made preparations with Eileen to finalise their divorce. There was still time in the evenings for Brendan and Ste to spend together; going out to nice restaurants, taking long moonlit walks together, holding hands. It was perfection to Ste who had never believed he would have been able to walk out with Brendan like this, let alone marry him.

When Friday arrived, the last day of their stay in Ireland, Brendan took the boys out by himself to the park while Ste waited for him at Eileen's house. The divorce had been finalised; everyone seemed a lot lighter for it. Ste sat on the sofa, feeling a little uncomfortable. Eileen entered the room with a cup of tea for him.

"Thanks" Ste mumbled, taking the offered cup.

Eileen sat opposite him in another chair. "Yer welcome" she said, sipping her own tea. "So I hear ye and Bren are getting married" she said, straight to the point.

Ste flushed but didn't avert his gaze. "Yeah, we are" he replied.

Eileen nodded, satisfied. "I'm happy for ye" she said. Ste could tell she meant it. "I wasn't sure at first, I thought ye were just another one of Bren's…projects" Ste winced at the word. "But seeing ye two together this week, I was wrong. He really does love ye" Eileen nodded as though to herself. "Ye will make him happy, won't ye?"

"Of course" Ste nodded earnestly. "I love him so much. My kids do as well"

"Ye, Bren said ye had kids of yer own, what are their names?"

"Leah and Lucas" Ste said proudly. "They're my world"

"And the mother?" Eileen asked curiously.

"We've been separated for a while now"

"Because ye are…" Eileen faltered.

"Gay? No, not because of that. Amy's fine with it though, its taken a while but she's finally accepted Brendan"

"He does take some getting used to" Eileen said, smiling.

"You can say that again" Ste said, laughing with relief. He heard the door open and three people entered. Brendan glanced from Ste to Eileen and then nodded, apparently seeing something in their countenance that he approved of.

"I guess this is goodbye" Eileen said, rising from the chair. She stood in front of Brendan, wavering. "Ye come visit soon, ye?"

"Of course" Brendan said, hugging her.

"Say goodbye to yer daddy, boys" Eileen told them.

Declan and Paraic both in turn hugged Brendan tightly.

"I'll be back real soon, ye? I promise" Brendan told them quietly. They both nodded, looking a little tearful. Brendan himself was as well.

"Ready?" Brendan asked Ste, holding out his arm. Ste nodded, saying goodbye to Eileen and the boys.

A few hours later they found themselves back at the airport ready to go home.

Ste looked at Brendan in worry, sensing that he was upset. "Are you okay, Bren?" he asked quietly.

Brendan looked at him, smiling a little. "Ye, I'm fine. Just always hard to say goodbye, ye know?"

"Yeah" Ste agreed, grasping Brendan's hand. "You'll see them soon though"

"Ye" Brendan said, nodding. "I'd like them to come to the wedding" he announced, taking Ste by surprise.

"You would?"

"Ye. I know we're having a small ceremony, with Chez, Amy and yer kids but it feels right that mine be there as well"

"Of course" Ste said, nodding. "Whatever you want"

"Thank ye" Brendan said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before they moved to the boarding gate.

"Cheryl's gonna go nuts when we tell her" Ste said, smiling.

"I know" Brendan said, sighing resignedly. "She'll want to plan everything, tell everyone"

Ste chuckled. "We should let her. It's nice that she's so happy for us"

"Ye… ye" Brendan agreed, distractedly. "Never thought she would be, so glad she knows now. Wouldn't have it any other way"

"Me neither" Ste agreed.

Brendan looked at him again wonderingly. "I can't believe I'm going to marry ye"

"I know" Ste said, shaking his head. "It's mad"

"But it's right" Brendan said soberly.

"Yes, it is" Ste agreed.

"Well Mr soon-to-be-Brady, let's go home" Brendan smiled warmly, not letting go of Ste's hand.

"Gladly" Ste replied, grinning.