Chapter 8 - A Family Christmas

25 December, Rong Family Villa, City K

Eventually Phillip and Chester headed downstairs for a leisurely breakfast and to await Lexi, Dominic and Andrew to come over for Christmas Day celebrations. Given the chance of recovery Phillip was given this time, both realised that this might be the only opportunity that they had to celebrate Christmas when Phillip could be active in the celebrations.

Chester turned to Phillip, as they were sitting in the lounge "My love, how do you want to handle things?"

"I just want to enjoy the day. Andrew should have some idea that my cancer has returned and hopefully Lexi will be the same. The last thing I want is Dominic to know. He needs to enjoy Christmas."

"True. He knows that this is the first time that Lexi will not be leaving right after Christmas, and he has been so excited about having his mum and his two uncles to celebrate Christmas with him."

Chester paused still pondering whether to ask the question that he wanted to ask. Who knew how much time he and Phillip would have together, given all the years that the law and the manipulations of his parents had robbed them of. He quietly said to himself, it is now or never.

Quietly, looking directly into Phillip's eyes, Chester said "Phillip, before they arrive, I have something that I want to ask you. You do not have to answer me immediately. You can take all the time that you want before giving me an answer."

"You want to move in together? That you do not have to ask. I want to spend every moment we have together, and who cares what our uptight parents think. We have suffered for so many years silently, and with the law change …"

"Phillip, please let me speak. Absolutely I want us to live together. Here would be ideal as given your past cancer battles the staff are well accustomed to dealing with you at your worst, and your parents have a separate wing. But I have no problem in buying a nearby villa for us. When Lexi returned as my villa was Dominic's home, I have given it to her and returned to the family villa, so Dominic has consistency in where he lives."

"Here it is then. Let us do it as quick as we can. Waiting over fifteen years to do this without fear means that we cannot waste a minute."

"Fine Phillip. I have a few days off, and I will arrange for my personal items to be moved in. While that is important, that is not what I wanted to ask. Firstly, please confirm that you will not say anything about Dominic's paternity. I do not want Lexi to know you have figured out the truth."

Chester paused and saw that Phillip was nodding his head, and then he continued "However the more important question is the one I want you to take however long you feel you need to answer. I want to marry you. I know we must head overseas to do this, but as we know with your cancer returning life can be short. If this time you do not beat cancer, I want to be your widower, not your partner."

All Phillip could do was sit and blush. He never thought that Chester would ask him that question. But damn it, being able to finally call Chester his husband, not a partner or a lover would be perfect. Leaning towards Chester, Phillip said "Yes I will marry you, but I have to work out the logistics of everything."

Phillip then gave Chester a brief kiss on the lips, but before either of them could separate they heard "Uncle Chester that is so gross."

Pulling back Chester said "Dominic mind your manners; your Uncle Phillip has just agreed to marry me. When and where we will work out, so be respectful young man…"

"Or your Uncle Phillip here will call Santa to come back and collect all the presents he not only left you at home, but apparently the couple he left you over near the tree."

"Presents" squealed Dominic.

However, before he could move towards the tree Lexi said, "Young Man, you will wait until later to open those presents, including the ones from Santa."

"Yes Mum," responded a sheepish Dominic, before sitting down on the couch.

Lexi moved over and gave both Chester and Phillip a kiss before saying "Congratulations you two."

"True brother, who would have thought Phillip would have proposed to an idiot like you," came the quip from Andrew while he was giving them a hug.

"Andrew, who said he proposed to me, I proposed to him."

"As if big brother. You do not have the guts to do that."

"Andrew, shut up, and he is right. He proposed to me, not the other way around. Today I do not want any argument. It is meant to be a happy day, and despite Matthew having to opt out I have the rest of my important family here with me for Christmas. We will, and I mean that, enjoy the day."

Lexi realised that Phillip was annoyed with Andrew, who could be childish, and said "Yes Sir," then gave Phillip a mock salute.