A Private Function Room - London, Saturday

[itsananomaly]

It was a week later and Connor’s graduation had come and gone and after the photos and the general congratulations, the whole team had gone out to celebrate. Lester had made arrangements for a private room had one of the restaurants that he had liked to frequent and had set up a buffet style arrangement for them so they would be on their own. "Congratulations again Connor," Cutter smiled as they walked into function room. [and its official! Preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!].

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor, who had been wearing a huge grin most of the day, smiled even bigger as he walked in and looked around at the setup Lester had arranged for them. "Thank you Nick. Thank you, everyone" he said looking around at the team, his family, who had all gathered there as well. "Thank you for your support and encouragement to get me here!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You're welcome Connor," Lester smiled, dropping his normal formalities for the special occasion, "you worked hard for this and we're all very proud of you," "Here, here," the other members of the ARC smiled as they added their congratulations as well. Cutter smiled and leaned in to give Connor a kiss on the cheek, wondering when he should propose and now that they were so close his nerves were starting to set in.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Oh there was the blush again, creeping across Connor's cheeks at the kiss. He smiled somewhat awkwardly at everyone and nodded then turned and gave Cutter a quick kiss in return. A moment or two later, Sarah came over to congratulate Connor and as they started talking she gently lead Connor towards the buffet tables. While she did, Jenny and Abby walked over to Cutter with knowing grins. "How are you feeling Cutter?" Abby asked as she gave him a small excited grin.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Um ... I feel kind of nervous to be honest," Cutter admitted as he stared after Connor's retreating form, "I didn't ... its been so long since I've done this, what if ... what if he says no?" That was definitely one of his biggest fears about this.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was distracted by the buffet and Sarah made sure he stayed away to give Cutter some time to prepare. Jenny glanced over at Connor and then gave Cutter a knowing look. "I don't think you have anything to worry about with that" she said as she put a hand reassuringly on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. "You two are absolutely brilliant together" Abby said echoing Jenny's confidence. "It's natural to feel nervous, it's a good thing really, but you and Connor are meant to be together Nick. I just know it."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath, feeling more reassured as he went over his speech again again in his mind, "you're right," he said finally, "I won't know unless I ask him right?" he tried to not fidget so much as his hand went over the small case that held the rings in his pocket.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Hey Nick, you gotta check out the spread over here!" Connor called out as he turned around and gave a broad grin. Jenny smiled and gave Cutter a small nod as she went to talk with Connor and the others. Abbey smiled and put her arm around Cutter to give him a quick hug. "You got this Nick" she said softly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath, it was now or never, he walked over to the food, his stomach twisting with nerves he knew he wouldn't be able to eat until he asked the question, "um ... Connor ... there's ... there's something that I need to ask you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor turned to look at Cutter. "Sure Nick, what's up?" he said with a smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	For a moment Cutter could only stare at Connor with an expression that was very much a 'deer in the headlights' expression, he glanced over at Jenny who gave a nod of encouragement and he took a deep breath and then he took out the ring box, opened it so Connor could see the ring and dropped to one knee. "Connor Temple," he began, "you are the best thing that's ever happened to me, I love you with all my heart and can't imagine my life without you, will you do me the honour of marrying me?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had looked at Cutter with a somewhat confused and concerned look seeing the look in his eyes as he stood there. But then when he took out the little box Connor felt his heart stop for a moment. Then Cutter opened it and he felt like his heart was suddenly going to jump out of his chest. He stood speechless for a moment as Cutter proposed. It was actually happening, it was real and it was happening. "Oh Nick...." He said as tears of joy started to brim in his eyes. "Of course I will!" Connor threw his arms around Cutter and hugged him tightly. "I'd be the happiest man alive. Yes, I will marry you!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It took Cutter a few moments to realise that Connor had said yes and he felt tears start to roll down his cheeks ... this was happening, it was actually happening and he returned that tight hug. He couldn't say anything at first, he just sobbed tears of joy. Then he moved back a bit and held up the ring to put on Connor's finger, "I love you so much," he said again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had tears of his own falling as he felt Cutter pull back and he had to fight back a whole new wave of happy tears as he looked down at the   ring that was now on his finger.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter wrapped his arms tightly around Connor, "I'm glad you love it, I can't wait to marry you," he said as he leaned in for a hug, he blinked a bit at the sound of cheers that erupted around them. He had also forgotten that they had an audience and he started to blush a little.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I love you so much Nick. I can't wait to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you" Connor said. And sorry, he wasn't going to help that flush any as he leaned closer and kissed Cutter, hopefully showing just how happy he was and just how excited he was to start this new journey together.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	And Cutter was very happy to return that kiss, wrapping his arms around Connor as he held him tightly and passionately and eagerly returned that kiss, his nerves fading away now that Connor had said yes, that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor also had no problem returning the passionate kisses with more of his own. They both had waited for so long, gone through so much, and now they were finally here. He was going to enjoy this moment. So even as a whistle or two came up from Danny Connor ignored it and just let himself get lost in the kiss and in his lover's embrace... though he would have to breathe at some point.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had barley registered Danny's whistle as he kept kissing Connor, he didn't want this moment to end, he had imagined proposing to Connor for so long and everything was perfect, being here with Connor and their friends ... their family and he wanted this moment to go on for as long as it could. At least until such a thing like breathing became an issue.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak as the saying went. Eventually, Connor kissed Cutter deeply then slowly pulled back, breathing a little hard as he did. His face was flushed but the grin that was there felt like it would never go away. "I love you Nick. Thank you, for making me the happiest man alive" he said as he reached out and took his hand, gave it a squeeze and then turned to look at their friends. He held up his hand with the ring and gave a broad grin. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I love you too Connor and thank you for making me the happiest man alive as well," Cutter smiled, his cheeks bright at that as Connor took his hand and then held up his hand with the ring. At that the entire room broke into a loud applause as their friends made their way forward to congratulate them. "Congratulations Nick, Connor," Jenny smiled as she gave both of them a kiss on the cheek, "I'm so happy for the both of you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled at that and felt the flush on his cheek deepen as Danny came over and put his hands on both their shoulders. He leaned into Connor and whispered something that definitely made that flush deepen and then he looked at the two of them. "Congratulations you guys. You both definitely deserve all of this!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, a little curious about what Danny had said to make Connor blush like that but figured it was Danny and it was probably better that he didn't now, "thank you Danny," he smiled. Then it was Abby's turn and like Jenny she gave them both a kiss on the cheek, "I'm so happy for you two, I knew this day would happen," and not just because she had been in on the proposal planning either but she didn't feel a need to mention that. "Thank you Abby," Cutter smiled.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Thanks Abby, I owe you a lot for helping me get here",he said with a grin. "You too Connor" he said, ignoring the ever-presnt balance of coolness and weirdness it would being , talking to himself as it were. He gave Connor a hug. "Thank you both for not giving up on us."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You're welcome, there was no way we weren't going to give up on you," Connor smiled, even if it felt a little weird to think about another version of you getting married to his former professor, "and look at you, you got there you got the degree and you're going to be married, congratulations you two," "Thank you Connor," Cutter said as he gave Connor a hug, "thank you for being there for us,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	When Connor was done it was Becker who was waiting to congratulate them. He stood there for a moment, smiling proudly at them and then pulled them both into a bear hug. "Look at you two! Far cry from where we first met... you both deserve all of this and I am so happy for you and I am so happy to have been a part of this! I am so proud of you both" he said as he gave them a hug. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't stop the tears from falling at that point as he remembered his first meeting with Becker, "thank you for everything Becker," he said as he returned that hug, "we could not have gone this far without you and your support its everything to us,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor also had tears falling as he embraced Becker, so many memories flooding his min at that moment. "Thank you for everything Becker. You helped save us, in more ways than one. Thank you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Becker kept that hug going, "congratulations again," he smiled, "anything you need me to do for wedding preparations, let me know and I'll get it done," "Thank you Becker," Cutter smiled, "that means a lot,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor hugged Becker and nodded at that. "Thank you... we'll definitely be in touch when the time comes" Connor said as he smiled through the tears. "We're definitely going to want all of you guys involved." "Good because we are here to support you anyway we can" Sarah said as she walked over and gave Connor a hug.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that as Sarah came over then, "thank you Sarah," he told her as she hugged Connor, "knowing that you guys are here to support us definitely means a lot,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor hugged Sarah then let go so she could give Cutter a hug as well. "We're family" she said with a smile as she gave Cutter his hug. "We've stuck together through the hard times and now we are her to help you celebrate the good times. I am so happy for you both." .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he hugged Sarah, "thank you Sarah," he told her, "thank you for everything," he could feel a fresh wave of tears starting to roll down his cheeks but he made no move to wipe them away.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had new tears running down his face as well as he pulled Cutter close and put an arm around him. Sarah gave them a smile and stepped away letting the final member of the group have space to say his bit as he wanted. Connor didn't try to wipe at the tears as he looked at Lester with a lopsided smile even through the tears.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned against Connor as he wrapped his arm around him, tears falling down his cheeks as he watched Lester approach them. "Congratulations the two of you," he said with a rare smile as he walked up to them, "I'm very happy for the two of you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor resisted the urge for a hug and smiled as he held his hand out to Lester. "Thank you Sir, for everything you have done for us, for never giving up on us, and for standing up for us. It... it means more than we can ever say. Thank you, James" Connor said with a sincere smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester smiled, relaxing somewhat as Connor held out his hand, he could definitely do handshakes and he was rather secretly pleased hearing Connor call him by his first name. "You're welcome, the two of you have the rest of your lives together and I hope your happy," "Thank you James," Cutter smiled, "we wouldn't be here right without your help," which was definitely true and Cutter was trying to not think about how close they were to ending up in a government black site or jail.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We wouldn't even be alive with you... without all of you" Connor said as he looked from Lester and then around at the team. "Thank you for everything... and for being here to celebrate this moment with us. Thank you for... for being our family." .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he shook Lester's hand and around the room at the group of people who meant the most to him in the world, his friends, his family, "thank you for everything, for your support, for being there for us... for being here with us celebrating this moment," yes nothing was stopping those tears now.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was crying tears of joy too as he pulled Cutter close and hugged him as he stood there surrounded by his family. Nothing had ever come close to this moment and he wasn't sure anything ever would.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter hugged Connor tightly as the tears kept rolling down his cheeks, he had never imagined this would all be so perfect, he was going to be getting married to the man he loved more than anything in the world and that they were going to be spending the rest of their lives together. "I love you so much Connor," he said as he hugged him tightly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Love you too Nick. So very much" Connor said as he brushed away some of the tears from Cutter's face then leaned over and kissed him softly. "I cant wait to get to spend the rest of my life with you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"And I you," Cutter smiled as he leaned into the touch and he happily returned that kiss, "its going to be perfect, I'm looking forward to the next part of our journey together,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"So am I" Connor whispered as he kissed Cutter passionately, enjoying the first of many kisses they were going to share together as they started on this new journey together. .