Chapter 412: A long day of enjoyment
The day started with breakfast in bed, and only got more Maxwell focused from that point on. Andrew wanted Maxwell to take his time getting ready, but did let him know that he had something planned at around 11:30 am outside of the house. Andrew had booked him a scotch tasting in a private collectors room at that time, a feat made possible because he was kind, and threw his name and Maxwell’s name around.
Maxwell seemed a bit surprised by that, but took his time, enjoyed his morning with Andrew, before Andrew helped him get dressed. Each of Andrew’s movements were careful, thoughtful, and full of such deep affection for the man in his arms that his face was in a permanent smile.
Maxwell was doing his best to remain composed. Andrew could tell, which he thought was a little strange. It might have something to do with the photographer with them, and Andrew realised that might be where he’d messed up. He should have told the photographer each location, but he also thought that was a little rude to expect her to follow them around.
It made more sense to him if they all carpooled.
Either way, Maxwell was a little stiff, and asked for some time alone. Andrew easily granted him that, since it gave him time to make sure that the office was clean, the rings were grabbed, and Andrew’s own ring was on his finger for the rest of the day.
The photographer let him know that she had it, and Andrew decided that he should be the one holding it all day. He was going to panic about it otherwise, and she just smiled, handed it over, and Andrew tucked it away in one of his pockets. It didn’t matter to Andrew that Maxwell could tell that he had the ring on him. He knew what the day was meant to be.
He just didn’t want him to see it until the time was right.
Maxwell was sharply dressed and ready to go, so Andrew escorted him to the car, a warmer jacket in the trunk just in case. They weren’t going anywhere that was going to be too cold, but he didn’t want Maxwell cold. He’d also made sure to bring some hand warmers and the like just in case, keeping them in the glove compartment.
When they arrived at the location for the first out of the house event, Maxwell seemed surprised.
"Where are we?" He asked carefully as Andrew got out of the car and opened his door for him. It was a beautiful brownstone building, clearly a home above, but the main floor was a bit murky. It had been a restaurant before, but had stopped accepting most guests about 8 years ago. The owners had turned the space into a scotch haven, and Andrew had only heard about it through social media and his conversations at the Christmas party before his father had shown up.
Andrew hadn’t considered it anything at the time, but he hadn’t forgotten about it. When he reached out explaining what he was doing just a few weeks ago, the man was all for it. Very accepting, very understanding, and had admitted that Mr. Beckett senior, Maxwell’s Dad, was a good friend. Maxwell himself had never been over, but he would be delighted to take Maxwell through a curated tasting. He’d actually been at the Christmas party, but Andrew and Maxwell hadn’t spoken to him. It was a huge party, after all.
Maxwell looked so concerned as they walked up to the brownstone building, looking like Andrew was about to lead him into a trap. Andrew almost wanted to laugh. Like Andrew would do that.
The door opened before they even knocked, making Maxwell jump, but his shoulders relaxed when he saw the older man on the other side.
"Ah. You’re a bit early, Mr. Knox, but I’ll forgive you. I was just getting a pot of tea on. Would either of you like a cuppa?" The kind, soft spoken man on the other side asked. Maxwell glanced at Andrew, who grinned and motioned for Maxwell to follow the elderly man inside.
"I would love a cup of tea, thank you. Max?" Andrew asked, feeling a bit at home as soon as he heard the accent. He hadn’t anticipated that he was English, but that was fine. Actually, better than fine, and it appeared that Maxwell recognised him as well.
~
The tasting went spectacularly. It was clearly a passion for this man, and he was delighted to have a captive audience that actually wanted to learn and enjoy the scotch. It was how Andrew and Maxwell had gotten so close right off the bat, so Andrew knew it would be a shared interest for them.
Maxwell was a willing student, tasting, listening, and watching. The older man, George, was a great storyteller. Had many things to say about all of the scotches in his collection, and about each of the makes, models, bottles, everything. He was a die hard, travelled for every release, and knew lots of the distillery owners by name.
By the end of their tasting, George had given them his personal number, and they had a tentative plan with Maxwell, Andrew, Thomas, Ben and George to go on a trip to Scotland and go on a curated tour. Andrew had even sent a text to Ben and Thomas, asking how they would feel about such a trip.
The men were down for it, as long as Amir was okay and it was after the baby was born. George readily agreed with those conditions.
Andrew had a feeling it might end up being their joint bachelor party.
The next location was in the same part of town, and it was a curated tasting experience for lunch. Maxwell was surprised that Andrew had found this place, and Andrew was surprised that Maxwell had never gone for high tea. They had a small, private room, several cute little snacks, and all the time they could want.
The only things that had a timer were the first two events, everything else was about going with the flow. Though Andrew did have some expected timelines.
Either way, Maxwell was pleased by his choice. Andrew had noticed how Maxwell liked to have several items for dinner instead of just one main meal. He was sure he was going to like high tea, and he was right. The photographer was smiling the whole time that they were there, and Andrew could tell that Maxwell was getting a little nervous.
By the second location for Maxwell’s proposal, Andrew knew he was going to do it there. They were already at the secondary location for Andrew, and Andrew could tell that Maxwell was confused. Maxwell was fairly certain that Andrew wasn’t going to propose here, but he also wasn’t fully sure.
He was wiggling in his chair. Not quite uncomfortable, but not quite...himself either. Andrew could tell his own smile was wide to reflect this behaviour. Was it a bit mean that Andrew kind of enjoyed this? Maybe, but Andrew was giving himself a bit of wiggle room as well.
This was for a good reason, and that meant a little bit of this anxiety was okay. It wasn’t like Andrew was going to hold out on him forever.
High tea took them some time, and the staff had a feeling that they knew what was going on just from their looks. Plus, Maxwell was so pretty in his suit that he was getting a few looks cast in his direction because of his slightly flushed face from his anxiety, his pink ears, and the way that he was looking at Andrew.
This was not a usual haunting ground for Maxwell, but he admitted that he would like to come back to Andrew. Andrew was delighted to hear that, glad that he liked something that Andrew had introduced to him.
Then, it was time to move onto the next location.
The next location was one of the gardens that Ford had tended to before Maxwell had gotten him in with the horticulturalist that Ford had admired for so long. It was a green house, messy, but beautiful.
Andrew had spoken to the person who ran it, and they were delighted to let Andrew and Maxwell walk around inside. Especially since Maxwell’s family contributed to their upkeep costs, but without making a big deal of it.
Maxwell didn’t know that, not until Andrew let him know about it as they were walking through. Andrew had said it was just a simple way for them to stretch their legs after eating and drinking, but it also led to some beautiful photos of Maxwell looking at flowers.
Andrew was just happy to have the man with him at his side, and that he was able to point out and explain some of the plants to him. Maxwell listened carefully, enjoying himself as well as Andrew used his joint knowledge from his Mom and Ford to tell Maxwell about everything.
They weren’t there long, probably about half an hour. It wasn’t a huge green house, but it was important. Ford still worked here occasionally, and you could tell. His writings were on most of the descriptions, and while Maxwell didn’t know his writing, Andrew did.
Andrew would point it out to Maxwell, and Maxwell’s eyes would take on a warmth to them. Maxwell knew what he sounded like. Like he was a proud son speaking about the work that his Father did.
He wasn’t wrong, which was one of the reasons beyond a pretty place to rest that Andrew wanted to take Maxwell here. The place he was planning to propose had the same kind of meaning, the same depth.
Which was the next location. Andrew’s own nerves were starting to get to him, but he was doing his best to appear calm. He’d been a little nervous all day, like Maxwell, so he hoped he didn’t let on.
He’d patted his pocket about 20 000 times at this point to make sure the box was still there.
Maxwell was happy, satiated, and calm, his eyes sparkling as they got into the car, the photographer getting in behind them.
"So? Where’s the next destination? It’s starting to get dark, Andy." Maxwell teased, and Andrew let out a forced laugh. They were right on time actually, but Andrew was getting nervous.
"Sorry about that. I have a plan, but I also want you to have a good time." Andrew told him, and watched Maxwell try to look stern, but melt into the seat.
"Well now I can’t be mad at you." Maxwell complained, a smile on his face. Andrew checked that everyone was in, seatbelts were on, before he squeezed the wheel.
"The next place is the place I am most worried about. I haven’t been there in a while, but the photos looked the same." Andrew muttered quietly, and Maxwell stared at him, clearly wondering what the strange statement meant.
Andrew too, was worried. It was always where he’d wanted to propose if he was going to do it in his hometown. A favourite place for him and his Mom. He’d told her once about it, and the smile she’d gotten had been so wide. He’d been 10 at the time, and she hadn’t brushed him off, and instead had fed into his plans. Pointing out good locations.
Andrew hadn’t had time to go and look at it in person without making Maxwell suspicious, and he didn’t want to leave during work because, well, he was the CEO of the company that he worked at. He was allowed to ask questions if an employee left work, and Andrew wasn’t going to lie to him. Or he’d have a hard time doing so.
So, they were both going in blind.