Forever My Love Ch. 08

Comments, critiques and tips are welcome!

***

The room was filled with the soft hum of a humidifier, and the curtains were drawn to create a soothing ambiance. Michael lay nestled in his bed, his forehead warm with fever, and his small frame curled up under a pile of blankets.

Ben was seated on the bedside, his face etched with worry as he stared at the handsome boy that lay on the bed. The bedside table held a collection of essentials: a thermometer, a box of tissues, a glass of water, and a notebook where Ben diligently recorded Michael's temperature and any changes in symptoms like Isaac had suggested.

There wasn't a significant change and Ben was getting worried although he was determined to make the little one feel better. A few hours had passed and he was starting to feel tired but he didn't wanna give up. As Ben continued to nurse Michael, he sang a soft lullaby to soothe the little boy's discomfort. Despite the fatigue that lingered in his eyes, Ben's voice carried a gentle melody that seemed to have a calming effect on Michael.

Every now and then, Ben dipped a washcloth into a bowl of lukewarm water and placed it on the little boy's forehead, offering temporary relief from the fever.

David who had barely left the room, stood a distance, watching as Ben took care of his son. His mind never stopped wondering how someone who showed so much care was ever that bad. The words he'd used on him when he was angry would have made anyone to refuse helping him but Ben was there, tirelessly helping his son recover. It made him emotional.

Apart from David, Jim couldn't leave the room. He stood there, watching as his husband watched Ben attend to their son. The expression on his face would have made one think he was plotting something evil. He so much hated Ben that he just wanted to murder him in that room.

"Ben..." Michael managed a weak smile when he finally opened his eyes.

"Hey, sweetie." Ben whispered, tenderly brushing a strand of hair away from Michael's face. "How are you feeling?"

"I am okay..." He said in his innocent little voice. "...you're here."

"I won't leave you, honey!"

"Promise?"

"Promise!" He leaned and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Now rest, I am right here."

The boy closed his eyes and went back to sleep. As the hours passed, Ben's exhaustion began to show, but his dedication remained unwavering. After what felt like forever, he noticed a slight improvement in Michael's condition. The fever seemed to be breaking, and his breathing became less labored.

As night fell, Ben was so glad that whatever he had done at that point seemed to be working. He was finally able to take a breather although he knew that the boy was still not out of it.

***

"No, Ben, please!" David pleaded, putting his hands together. "You cannot leave. Michael's condition has only been able to improve because of you."

"I know that, David, but as it is... it's already late." He glanced at his watch and it was almost 11 PM.

"That's why I insist that you stay." He asked softly, staring at the boy. "If Michael wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers that you are gone, I might not know how to handle him. Stay!" He spoke softly, placing his hand on Ben's shoulder. "Please! For Michael's sake."

Ben thought for a moment and sighed.

"I wouldn't wanna leave him but I don't want to cause any more drama. It's better if I just leave."

"You're my guest." David reassured. "It took a lot of effort to bring you here and I haven't had any time to thank you properly."

David and Ben stared at each other, the yearning in their eyes unmasked.

"It's okay."

"Now will you stay."

"I would but..."

"Don't worry." David slightly smiled. "I have asked one of the maids to bring some toiletries and some clothes for you to change. You can stay in this room with Michael. That way, he will see you once he wakes up."

Ben nodded. "Thank you so much, David."

"Errr..." He paused and glanced at his sleeping son. "...do you want me to stay?"

"No, it's okay." Ben shook his head. "I'll take care of him. If I need anything or if he wants you, I'll call you. You've had quite a long day as well."

"Thanks."

He went to his son and planted a kiss on his forehead. He got happy when he realized that the boy was no longer as hot as he was. After that, he said his goodbye to Ben and left the room. He had a smile on his face but when he got out of the room, he found Jim just outside waiting for him.

He had his arms crossed, staring at his husband.

"When I agreed to this, I didn't mean that I wanted him to stay in my house." He spat, his voice a low growl.

"What's the point of this?" David asked.

"He's already done what he came to do here. Now I want him out of this house." He barked.

"Are you crazy?" David's eyes widened as he closed the door behind him. "Ben is taking care of our son. Do you know how difficult it was for me to convince him to come here? I had to kneel in front of him."

"And so what?" Jim snapped. "He's already done what he came to do. After all, he's the reason Michael ran away from this house in the first place."

"Jim...." David sighed, hitting his head. "...please, I am too tired for this. All of us have had a very long day and we need to rest."

"No!" Jim shook his head, breathing harshly. "First you brought him back home and now you want him to stay close to your room. What am I gonna hear tomorrow? That you want him to stay in your room with you."

"Michael's room is close to our room. Ben is staying with Michael. Can you even hear yourself right now?"

"I am just saying things as they are." He said angrily. "Despite what I have told you about that boy, you still went ahead and brought him here."

David burst into laughter. He laughed so hard that tears came out of his eyes.

"I can see that you don't want me to have peace, Jim." He got stern and drew closer to his husband. "Ben is here to take care of my son. And right now, that is all that I care about. As for your feelings, right now, they don't matter to me."

"David..."

"I am very tired and I need to rest."

He tried to move past Jim but stopped in his tracks.

"And one more thing..." he warned, raising a finger at him. "...I don't want you to disturb Ben or say anything while he's around. If you do, you and I are gonna have problems."

With those words, he moved past him, leaving him standing there like a statue. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, a shimmering pool of unspoken anger and pain. His fists clenched and he felt like crushing something. And here he had been thinking that everything was gonna be alright but it was like he hadn't done anything to seal all his troubles. This was all Ben's fault, he thought.

***

The aroma of simmering spices filled the air as Ben prepared a pot of tasty chicken noddle soup. He hummed a soothing tune as he stirred the pot, a smile appearing on his face. He knew the soup was ready and he was sure that little Michael was gonna love it a lot. The inviting aroma wafted through the house, making some members of the house that smelt it to be hungry.

However, that was not the case with Jim. It only made him so upset and he knew exactly what he had to do. Clenching his fists, veins pulsating with unrestrained fury, Jim stormed into the kitchen like a tempest. His eyes blazed with an intense fire that could rival a raging inferno. The lines on his forehead etched a story of pent-up frustration and resentment. When he saw Ben, he was filled with so much hatred.

"Enough is enough, Ben!" He bellowed, the words exploding from his throat like cannon fire. "What the fuck are you doing in my kitchen, filling my house with your poisonous food."

Ben raised his face to stare into the face of his angry brother.

Jim was about to say something but when he saw that blue oversized t-shirt Ben was putting on and the black cargo short that he had on, he saw red. Those were his husband's clothes. Jim's jaw clenched so tight that you could practically hear the grinding of teeth, a visceral sound that underscored the depth of his rage. The muscles in his neck strained against his skin, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. With each step, the floor seemed to shudder beneath him, as if the very ground recoiled from the force of his indignation.

"Are you not ashamed of yourself?" His voice was a symphony of rage. "You're putting on my husband's shirt.... What a bitch!" He barked.

"I can see you woke up on the wrong side of the bed as usual, Jim." Ben rolled his eyes. "I have a child waiting for me."

He poured the soup into a bowl, put it on a tray and started going away before an angry Jim gripped his arm and pulled him back.

"What happened?" Ben asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why did you pull me back?"

"You do not walk away from me while I am talking to you, especially in my house."

"I have better things to do. Have a good day."

He tried to pass again but Jim pulled him back. Ben sighed in frustration, putting the tray on the counter. He frowned, staring at Jim with so much anger.

"What's your problem?"

"Since you came into my life, nothing good has happened." He seethed. "So, how could I have a good day."

Ben laughed, shaking his head. "Since the time I came into your life or since the day you met David? You need to be specific here, because I remembered years ago, we used to be inseparable. And I don't need to remind you who got you out of trouble... little brother." He teased.

He got closer and raised his finger. "Ben, I am warning you for the last time, get out of this house. David chose me years ago and we've already started a new phase of our lives. I am married to David and we have a son, so, don't try to ruin that."

"Why would I?" He shrugged. "I am not after David and.... Oops!" He gasped in mock astonishment. "...you're thinking that history is gonna repeat itself. If I remember correctly.... 6 years ago, David chose me over you. He was happy with me despite the hardship that we went through. IF you're so sure that David chose you then why are you being insecure?"

Jim clenched his fists, jaws shaking in anger. "David is my husband and we're happy. Go away!"

"I came here for the sake of a child. You can scare me, threaten me or blackmail me but I am not leaving this house until my goal is achieved."

"Oh please, Ben. This isn't about caring; it's about clinging to something that's long gone." He yelled. "You're just embarrassing yourself."

"Really?" Ben chirped. "There's just so much that you don't know my dear brother. And instead of thanking me for taking care of your son, you're here arguing with me." He said harshly. "I would have said that Michael is lucky to have you as a father but I would be lying. You're just like your mother, selfish and manipulative."

Jim felt like a seed of anger had been planted in him and had now germinated.

"What's going on here?" Claudia asked as she approached the two brothers. "And what is this thing doing in my kitchen?"

Ben chuckled. "This thing is trying to make something warm for your grandson."

"If not for one thing..." Claudia groaned, shaking her head. "...I would have done something so bad to you that you would have regretted stepping your foot here. It's only my son that is blinded by your fake nature and he doesn't even realize that you're only using him once again."

"You know what..." He said, rubbing his temple sensually. "...maybe I am using him. That's what I should be doing right now. I should be slowly destroying him. I should be making sure that he feels what I felt the day that he left me in that hospital. I should be taking revenge on all of you for what you did to me."

He was breathing harshly and there were tears in his eyes.

"But you know what, none of you would have really survived my wrath if I really was taking revenge." He wore an evil grin. "Don't think that just because I am here taking care of your son that I am a fool. You should be thanking me because if I hadn't come here in the first place, none of you two would have done shit."

"You're right!"

Amber came into view and stood by Ben's side.

"None of them would have done anything because they don't care about Michael. He's only but a pawn for them to use for their selfish gains."

"Watch your mouth, young lady." Claudia warned. "I am still your mother."

"Since when?" Amber asked, glaring at her. "I was also just a pawn in your game... mother." She said sarcastically. She took a glance at Ben and wore a very beautiful smile. "You go and be with Michael. He was looking for you earlier."

"Thank you!"

Ben took the bowl and left. Amber looked at the two people in front of her that looked like they were about to burn from the anger that they felt.

"Nothing stays hidden forever. Whatever you've been hiding shall come to light. And when that day comes, I will be there to witness all of it."

With those words, she rudely passed them and stormed out of the kitchen. Claudia and Jim glanced at each other and they knew that they had to do something fast.

***

As Ben entered the room, a warm smile lit up his face at the sight that awaited him. David sat cozily on the bed with his son between his thighs as he read him a wonderful story 'Once upon a time'. He held him tightly to him although the boy was still covered in a blanket. In those quiet moments, Ben realized just how much he admired the relationship that David had with his son. It almost made him tearful.

He took a deep breath and walked in. The moment he did, the both of them saw him and the smile he saw on Michael's face was to die.

"Hey there, tiger." He said happily. "How are you doing?"

"I am okay." He nodded happily. "Ben... you're here."

"Of course, baby..." He raised an eyebrow, winking at the boy. "...I stayed with you the whole night. You don't remember?"

The boy shook his head.

"Well, the most important thing is that I am here and I made you a very delicious soup to make you feel even better."

Ben sat on the edge of the bed, holding the bowl of soup in his hands. David watched Ben with gratitude in his eyes, appreciating the effort he had put into nurturing his son back to health. Ben dipped the spoon into the warm broth and carefully brought it to Michael's lips. The scent of the nourishing soup filled the room as he fed the young boy with utmost care.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

From the look on Michael's face, Ben could tell the boy didn't like it much although he nodded.

"I want chocolate!" He said in a tiny voice.

"Chocolate, son!" David asked, holding him tighter. "But you're not feeling well for chocolate. This is what is gonna make you feel better. And you wanna feel better, don't you?"

Ben saw the frown on Michael's face.

"What dad is saying is that, if you take this soup and you feel better, I'll be able to give you all the chocolate that you need." He extended his hand to the little boy. "Deal?"

Michael smiled, holding Ben's hand.

"Deal!"

"Good! Now.... Open your mouth..."

As Ben fed the soup to Michael, David couldn't help but appreciate him. The ease with which he made the boy drink the soup... the way he played with him... the chuckles from the little boy. He couldn't help but get emotional and through it all, he kept on staring at Ben. The boy had a pretty beautiful smile... his presence was everything and the way he just made everything seem so easy made David's heart to admire him. He was everything that Jim wasn't to Michael... a parent.

"And we're done!" Ben laughed, showing the bowl to the little boy. "You're a very good boy!"

"Can I have chocolate now?"

"I will give you as promised." He raised an eyebrow. "But first, some medicine."

Michael nodded excitedly. Ben gave him the medicine before he handed him a piece of chocolate. The boy ate it with a smile on his face.

"Now there's more where that came from." Ben laughed. "Just get better and I'll bring you a big box."

"Yes..." He nodded, chuckling softly. "...can you come here and hold me, Ben?"

Ben felt his heart pound in his chest. There was David already holding Michael and if he did the same, they were gonna be close. He hesitated at first but when he saw David smile and make some room and the vulnerability of the child, he simply nodded and smiled sheepishly.

He sat on the right side of Michael and they sandwiched the little boy. Ben was holding his hand, planting kisses all over it. God knows that at that point, Michael felt like the luckiest kid in the world, having two men that he loved a lot be with him.

"Ben..." He muttered.

"Yes, sweetie!"

"Please, don't leave me." His voice was barely above a whisper but both men heard him clearly.

"No, sweetie. I am right here with you and I am not gonna leave you alone."

"Papa said that he wasn't gonna allow me see you anymore..." He said, tears welling in his eyes. "...he said that he's gonna keep me far away from you. I don't want you to leave me, Ben..."

Ben glanced at David and he felt sad. He didn't know what to say to the child because he knew that he was gonna have to convince him somehow. But at that point, the most important thing to do was make sure that he was healed.

"Please, I love you...."

David felt guilt take him by storm and staring at Ben, he wished he had taken some of the things he had said to him.

"Please..."

"Sweetheart..." Ben smiled through his pain. "...I..."

"Ben is right here, baby." David chimed, squeezing his son's shoulder lovingly. "He's not gonna go away and I am so sorry for what you heard the other night. Daddy was just upset, okay."

"With me..." His voice became low. "... I am sorry, papa, I didn't mean to be bad."

"Of course, not!" David gasped, shaking his head. He cupped his son's cheeks and stared into his beautiful eyes. "I wasn't angry with you. It was just something else and what you heard was just me speaking in anger. Don't ever scare me like that again, okay? If you want to see Ben, just tell me and I'll take you to him."

Michael smiled and nodded.

Ben got emotional. A tear went down his cheek which he quickly rubbed before anyone could see it. When the boy looked at him, he wore a very beautiful smile. Despite not having his full strength, he slightly rose and planted a kiss on Ben's cheek.

"I love you so much, Ben."

"I love you too."

They were back in the same position they had been in, embracing the child. It didn't take long before he slept and started snoring softly. But they never let him go. David whispered a 'thank you' to Ben and he meant what he said. He was very grateful for what Ben had done for him.

***

"

What the hell is going on here?" An angry voice echoing in the room suddenly woke Ben up.

He opened his eyes to find himself in an awkward position with David. He was lying in David's arms with the man holding. Funny thing was that there was Michael with them. He didn't even remember sleeping at all.

He quickly rose and stood by the bed side, staring at the woman that stood on the other side of the bed with Jim and Claudia. Their eyes were widened with disbelief and anger. David was awake and just as surprised as Ben.

The room was heavy with tension as Jim's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"What the hell is going on here?" Elena seethed, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. Her face contorted with rage. "You have the audacity to come to this house and not only that but you had the nerve to be in the same bed with David."

Ben was so confused that he couldn't think straight. He stood there, staring at the trio with wide eyes.

"David?" Jim gasped, feeling like someone had stabbed him in the chest. "How could you do this to me? You lied to me and I remember asking you last night not to...."