Forever My Love Ch. 10

Jim's eyes gleamed with deranged excitement as he watched David struggle. "You're so cute when you're struggling. But try as you like, you'll not be free from me." He laughed manically. "Ben's gone, David. Ben's already dead and now nothing can separate us."

David's mind raced, processing Jim's words. Fear gripped him, but he knew he had to find a way out.

"You know, I missed you so much. There's no one top separate us now. Ben is dead and I killed my mother. It's just you and I."

"No, let me go, Jim. This isn't right."

"Oh, but it is, David. You'll soon understand that I am your one true love." He grinned. "You'll be mine even if I have to make you lose your memory all over again."

David struggled to try and free himself. It was hard but with each twist and turn, the ropes began to give way until finally, his hands were free. Without hesitation, David acted. He swung his legs with all his strength, landing a powerful kick on Jim's chest. Jim yelped in pain as his body recoiled, his head slamming against the window with a sickening thud, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in its wake. Blood trickled down Jim's face as he slumped back into the driver's seat.

The car swerved wildly as Jim lost control, hurtling off the road. Before David knew it, the car began flipping downhill violently. David's world spun in a chaotic whirlwind as he was thrown from the vehicle, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs.

As the car came to a rest, mangled and smoking. David lay on the ground, battered and bruised a few feet from the wreckage. He tried to move but found it impossible. He glanced back at the wreckage fear creeping inside him. With trembling hands, he reached for his phone, his fingers fumbling as he dialed a number. He couldn't remember what he said.

The world started fading and he heard an explosion. The last thing he heard before passing out was someone screaming in horror.

***

"Claudia!" Alejandra called as she and her family rushed to the woman that was outside the E.R, pacing about.

Seeing them, Claudia got both scared and nervous.

"Are you the one that called us?" Alejandra said abruptly, tears threatening to come out. "Where's my son? What did you do to him?"

"I didn't do anything to him." Claudia shook her head, her own tears threatening to come out. "I went to their place because Jim called me this evening and told he was gonna solve both our problems." She stuttered. "I tried to call David and Amber but I couldn't reach them. I didn't wanna make mistakes again so I rushed to their place and found Ben injured."

"What?" Jerome gasped. "Injured? What about the baby?"

"He... he's in there with Isaac." She stammered, her body shaking. "I am so sorry. I will take the blame. I should have arrived sooner and maybe I would have prevented this."

As they talked, nurses passed there hurriedly with an unconscious and wounded David on the stretcher, leaving them in shock and fear. They stood outside the E.R, praying and hoping everything went well.

***

As David slowly regained consciousness, the sterile scent of the hospital filled his senses. His eyelids fluttered open, and the harsh lights of the emergency room blurred his vision momentarily. As his vision cleared, he realized he was lying on a stretcher bed.

As he scanned the room, his gaze fell upon Ben, who was lying on an adjacent stretcher bed with his eyes closed. David's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.

"Ben?" David croaked, his voice barely audible.

Ben weakly opened his eyes and saw David, a weak smile appearing on his face. He didn't feel as much pain but he knew it was only because of the drugs he had been given.

"Ben," David sobbed. "I love you so much. I don't wanna be from you ever again."

"I... love you too." Ben said weakly. "If I don't make it out of here... take care of our children. And know that I will always love you."

David reached for Ben's hand, their fingers intertwining.

"We'll get through this... together. And we'll live happily."

They held hands tightly, never intending to let go. Their hands remained entwined as medical personnel bustled around them, preparing Ben for surgery. As Ben's stretcher began to move, David held on tighter, unwilling to let go. With a final reassuring smile, Ben was wheeled away toward the operating theater, leaving David with a mixture of worry and hope.

But amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained clear—his love for Ben burned brighter than ever before.

***

Months later

*

The wonderful aroma filled the kitchen as the man diligently stirred a pot on the stove, focused on the task at hand. There were a lot of other foods that were made but he needed to cook a lot more, for his family. He was perfectly dressed, looking sexy as ever with an apron that made him look hot as he cooked. His beautiful hair was tied in a ponytail, revealing his beautiful face.

Suddenly, he heard the soft footsteps approaching, and he turned to see a beautiful woman staring back at him with a frown on her face.

"Ben, dear, you've been working so hard. Why don't you take a break?" Claudia suggested, raising an eyebrow.

"I am almost done with it." Ben hesitated for a moment, still stirring. "Oh, no, it's fine. I want everything to be just right and ready soon."

"We're talking about my grandchild here." She rushed to him and although he didn't want to, she managed to take away the apron from him.

"But..."

"Stop arguing." Alejandra agreed as she emerged into the kitchen. "Why don't you let the old gals show you how it's done. If you think we'll allow you do everything for our grandkid, you've got another thing coming."

Ben raised his hands like he was surrendering and left it to them. He kissed the both of them and left, a smile brightening his face. As Ben walked out of the kitchen, he couldn't help but admire how busy everyone was. Jerome, Gustavo, Carlos and his now boyfriend Brandon were busy setting up decorations.

He smiled and went upstairs to meet his husband but was met with delightful giggles of his one-year-old daughter, Leah. She had turned one year and she was the most beautiful baby he had led his eyes on. She had beautiful eyes like her father, curly dark brown hair like his and a smile like his. She was a perfect blend of the two.

Upon entry into the bedroom, Ben melted at the scene before him. David had his daughter on his shoulders, playfully running around the room together with Michael. Oh... he couldn't help but shed a tear. Leah had just turned 1 and they were celebrating her birthday.

David looked up, grinning. "Hey there, gorgeous man, join the fun!"

Ben didn't need to be told twice. He joined the fun. Being in the presence of his kids and husband, he felt protected, loved, fulfilled and appreciated. And when they all gathered together to sing 'happy birthday' to Leah, Ben felt like a complete human being.

They took pictures of the moment. They had a feast. They played and danced. It was what Ben had always wanted, what he had always dreamed of and now it was happening. He was so thankful and he knew that his mother was smiling at him.

*

Ever since I was a kid, I have always considered my past to be painful. But now I have come to understand what they say that 'everything happens for a reason.' Love guides us as we travel the road of our lives.

I am very happy now because I am with the people that I love so much... the people that love me back. I am also with the man that I have always loved.

Little by little, everything that David promised to me is coming true.

The promise to always stand by my side

The promise to give me a family

A beach house, built in a place where our love blossomed, a place with so many memories... some happy... some sad. But we try to remember those memories with a smile, knowing that without them... we'd never be where we are.

The steps we had to take in life became very challenging but with every step, and every problem, we tried to overcome them. And now, we're starting our own lives.

These are new journeys for us and we can't be too thankful.

***

As Ben stood on the porch of his dream beach house, a gentle breeze swept in from the ocean, carrying the scent of saltwater and memories of his life. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the sky, reflecting the warmth he felt within.

He couldn't help but marvel at the journey that brought him to this point. The scars of his painful past were now mere echoes, fading into the background of a life filled with love, joy, and acceptance. The laughter of his children echoed through the air, a testament to the happiness they shared as a family.

He could hear the laughter coming from inside the house, a reminder of just how much love he had. He had come so far and there had been moments he had almost given up. Through this journey, a lot of people had gotten hurt... some had died... Jim who died a horrible death, burnt to death not only in that car but also by the flames of his hatred.

Ben took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, and let go of the last remnants of his painful past. He was here, in this moment, surrounded by love and happiness. His husband approached, their eyes locking in a shared understanding of the journey they had undertaken together. They stood facing each other, the weight of their shared history and triumphs evident in their gaze.

Without a word, they reached for each other's hands, fingers intertwining like vines in a beautiful garden. And as they leaned in, their lips met in a tender yet powerful kiss—a kiss that spoke volumes of their journey, of the struggles they had overcome, and of the deep, unbreakable bond that held them together.

In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other's embrace, finding solace and strength in the warmth of their love.

And as they pulled away, their foreheads resting gently against one another's, Ben knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together—united, resilient, and infinitely grateful for the life they had built, one kiss at a time.

Hand in hand, they turned and started heading inside to join their family, ready to embrace the next chapter of their journey. As Ben closed the door to the beach house, he looked back one last time, carrying with him the lessons of the past and the promise of a future filled with love and joy.

***

In the labyrinth of life, where paths may twist and turns may confound, love persists as the unwavering compass that guides us home.

In the dance of destiny, you may stumble and believe you've lost, but remember, true love is the resilient melody that echoes through the silence, and in the end, it always triumphs, turning what seemed like defeats into the sweetest victories of the heart.

My name is Ben and this is my story. Perhaps will meet again, another time another place.

But until that time, I love you all

Ende....