THIS WORK IS FULLY PROTECTED BY U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS. NO PORTION OF THIS WORK MAY BE COPIED OR REDISTRIBUTED BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF ITS AUTHOR.
THIS WORK DEALS WITH A FICTITIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO MEN. IF READING ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS OR SEXUAL CONTACT BETWEEN TWO MEN IS EITHER ILLEGAL IN YOUR AREA OR OFFENDS YOU, PLEASE DO NOT READY ANY FURTHER.
ANY SIMILARITIES TO ANY PERSON LIVING OR DEAD ARE PURELY COINCIDENTAL. THIS WORK IS ENTIRELY FICTITIONAL.
Guys I really appreciate all the great responses you've sent me after the original posting and now the sequel to Daniel's Love. Without the feedback that I've received I'm sure that this story would have never reached this point. I also need to thank my significant other, Tbear for his encouragement and criticism. (His biggest gripe is that I'm forever writing cliffhangers at the end of the chapters. Sorry, honey.) This is the final chapter of the story of Paul, Daniel, Cornelia, Jason and Kyle and the others. Life will take them where it will and for now that is outside my realm. Who knows? One day we may see them again.
This work has actually been a great way to procrastinate the writing that I really should be doing. I was working on a serious novel based on several painful incidents from my childhood when these characters appeared on the screen before me. Maybe Paul and Daniel felt I needed a break from the arduous process of dealing with my past and writing that all down. Thanks guys, it's been a great way to get my mind out of those dark places.
Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something and I refuse to listen to the lesson, but another story has appeared, currently titled "Dylan's Hope." The first several chapters are written now and I will post them over the next couple of months.
Again, thank for everything. My very best to you all, Michael
DANIEL'S LOVE
Michael A. Raburn
Chapter 10
"Daniel, is everything ready. Do you need any help packing?" Cornelia asked as she handed her bags to the driver.
"No, mom. They're all packed. Where are the kids, by the way?"
"I sent them outside, they were getting under my feet too much. They should be on the patio."
"Boys, it's time to go." Daniel yelled out the French door that opened to the garden. "Cornelia's waiting."
"Okay, we're coming." Answered Jason.
Turning away from the door after locking it, Daniel faced Cornelia, the dear lady that had become very much his second mother. Her love, caring, and patience had gotten them through so much over the past year, from the letters, the bombing and subsequent shootings, the kidnapping of Kyle and now the seemingly endless wait for Paul to recover, or to... No, he could not think like that, everything would be fine. He grabbed his overnight bag and the bag containing his suit and turned to shut off the lights when he caught a glimpse of the watercolor painting hanging over the bed. The colors of Paul's generous gift of the magnolias that covered his novel caught his eye. The muted whites, greens and touches of gold drew him back to the feelings he experienced the night Greenley had announced the forthcoming publication, now only days away from the public release and the national publicity tour. Their triumphant return to the rebuilt cottage in Atlanta was only the beginning of the life they would have, if only...
How could he even consider leaving Atlanta for an extended tour now, he was thinking. Paul was still in the hospital and still unconscious, the boys were beginning to settle back into a routine and Kyle was finally able to sleep through the night without waking from nightmares. How could he leave today? Yes, they had arranged for nurses to be with him around the clock and to continue reading and talking with Paul in hopes he would awaken. There was so much to be done, but he still felt ill at ease going to Houston for two days. What if Paul awoke and he was not there?
"Honey, come on, they're waiting for us." Cornelia urged.
Daniel flipped the light switch and left the room. He rounded up the boys and made a quick run through to see that all the lights were out and the doors were locked before he picked up his bags and walked out to the waiting car.
"He'll be fine. You'll be back in two days." Cornelia tried to comfort him.
"Yeah, dad. He'll be fine with the nurses." Jason piped in.
Peachtree Dekalb Airport was busy that morning, planes arriving and taking off at an amazing pace. The little entourage exited the car and met the others, Nina, Alan and Mikey, at the foot of the stairs to the jet. After quick hugs they found seats and buckled up for takeoff. Cornelia and Nina knew that Daniel was near exhaustion from his constant vigil at the hospital and made sure to put him in a row by himself so he could catch up on some sleep. Nina grabbed a blanket and pillow and tucked him in as the plane taxied to the runway.
"Get some sleep now." She bent down to kiss him on the forehead. "We all love you."
Returning to her seat with the boys, Nina's thoughts turned to Paul, her best friend and the single best-selling painter she had ever represented. She remembered the first time they had met at that funky little gallery show in Midtown and how he seemed to stand above everyone else in the room. Their friendship had developed from that night and had eventually matured enough where she felt comfortable representing Paul's work. How quiet his life had been back when he was holed-up in that studio, painting late into the night; how remote and distant he had been for the three years since Tony had messed up his life; how much more he seemed to enjoy this past year. Daniel had in many ways saved her friend. It was obvious to anyone that looked how strong their love for each other was, and how much each cared for the other. She could count on her fingers the number of times she had seen them together that they were not either touching, holding hands or some way connected. And now it could be over.
She knew the prognosis the doctors had talked about, but still had refused to believe them for several days. Now a quiet peace surrounded her when she thought of Paul and she realized that they would all survive, no matter what happened, if they could only stay together.
"I love you so much Jason." Kyle cooed into his lover's ear. They were seated together, each wrapped in the arms of the one they loved the most.
"I love you too, baby." Jason replied. "I don't know what I'd have done if something had happened to you."
Kyle replayed the scene in his head of that horrible night in the woods. His father had beaten him many times over the three weeks he had been in that cabin. How long his father had been following them before he moved no one would ever know. At first Kyle was excited to see him and hoped that maybe there would be a way to heal their relationship, then he attacked Jason. At that moment he knew his father would ultimately kill him and that he would never see his beloved again. His mind had blocked so much of the memories of that hellish nightmare, but he did remember hearing Paul's voice tell him that everything would be all right. He remembered Paul's smell as he snuggled into his chest when they were fleeing the cabin and running from his father. Why did his father have to hate him so much? Hate him for being who he was? He also realized there in the dark of the woods that his father was not the man he had grown up with, but was this strong, talented, playful man that had rescued him. And there was no way he would let that monster kill him.
He had felt the gun with his toes when Paul tucked him behind that tree and had picked it up to hand it back when his father topped the hill. Paul was too far away. When George aimed, Kyle's instinct had taken over. Never in his life had he held a pistol and really had no way of knowing what to do when he jumped up to confront his father. The rest was a blur of noise, smoke and horrible smells. The recoil of the weapon had knocked him off his feet back onto the fallen tree. Only later when he awoke on a stretcher in the ambulance and asked Alan what happened had he learned the horrible truth. Even though everybody kept telling him it was not his fault, somehow he knew that things could have been different.
"I wish there were something else we could do." Mikey leaned into Alan's embrace. "I feel so helpless."
"Honey, I know. I should have seen that damned truck and anticipated what he would do." Alan whispered.
"Don't beat yourself up about this. It wasn't your fault." Mikey caressed his lover's chest.
"I know, I know. It still doesn't make it any easier. Paul wasn't, isn't a client. He's a friend."
"Did I ever tell you that I was the first "kid" that Paul adopted?" Mikey asked, remembering the beginning of his friendship. "I was one of his students, and not a very talented one at that. I was in his oil class and for some reason he worked more with me than anyone else, probably 'cause I was so bad. But he never gave up. He introduced me to Nina after my parents kicked me out and helped me get the job at the gallery. I have so much to thank him for."
"I don't think I've ever thanked him for introducing us and for pushing us together." Alan lamented. "We would have never met if it wasn't for him and Daniel."
"I know, honey."
Cornelia turned her head to look out the window at the clouds they were flying over so no one would see her tears. She finally felt the tragedy that her sons endured, it was finally catching up with her. How these two wonderful, kind men could get dragged into such awfulness was beyond her understanding. They deserved better than this; they deserved to be happy.
Never destined to have children of her own, Paul and Daniel had appeared in her life at a point where she had given up having anyone to dote on, to share the immense love she felt. Then to have grandchildren less than a year later was more than she could ever have asked for. She had seen miracles happen in her life and never once doubted that they would get through all this. She was also a realist and knew that the chances of her oldest ever recovering were slim. But if there was going to be that miracle it was all up to Daniel and Paul and the power of their love.
"Baby, can you hear me?" the voice echoed off the rocks that surrounded them. The roar of the crashing waves threatened to drown out his voice.
"Paul, is that you?" Daniel asked. "Where are we?"
"On that beach we always talked about. Can you smell that air and feel the sun on your skin?"
"Oh Paul, it's so wonderful here." He answered, turning to look around the secluded beach. "It's just like I always imagined it."
"Well, baby, that's because it's your mind that created this place. It's your mind that keeps calling to me."
"Where are you?"
"I'm all around you. I'm the wind that is blowing through your hair, I'm the water that is lapping your legs, I'm the sand you feel between you toes. I'm everywhere, and nowhere."
"Please Paul, come back to me." Daniel whispered. "Come back and hold me. I miss you so much."
"I know, Daniel. I miss you too. I miss your touch, and I miss touching you. It's all up to you. I'll always be with you but only you can bring me back, or let me go."
"No Daddy Bear, I can't let you go." Daniel fell to his knees, sobbing.
"Don't cry, baby. I love you so much. Be strong for me just a little while longer. Can you do that?"
Looking up to the surreal blue sky, Daniel wiped his tears and said, "Yes, Paul. I'll be as strong as you need me to be."
"Then you know what to do."
Daniel sat upright, shaking his head to clear the last of the fragments of sleep. He did not want to let the dream end, but he had to talk to Arthur. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he looked around, trying to decide what to do next.
"Honey, what's wrong. Are you alright?" Cornelia asked, rising to go to her son.
"I need a phone, something's happening in Atlanta." He ran towards the cockpit.
"Oh, no!"
"Arthur, where are you? I need you to do something for me, for us and I'm not sure I can explain it to you." He was standing behind the pilot, trying to keep calm enough to relay the details.
"We're in the plane, somewhere over Kentucky I think. What do you need my boy? Anything I can do, I will." Mr. Avery answered.
"Paul just told me to call you. He said you would understand. Something is happening and I'm afraid I'm going to lose him."
"Okay, just tell me what he said." Arthur asked.
"Well, here goes..."
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Garland International. We are so very happy that you could join us today to open this magnificent new building, our new headquarters." Mr. Garland spoke to the audience amassed before him. The shining new building was finally finished after all the delays and changes that had been made over the past few years. The center portion of the building faced the circular drive with two wings angled in towards the driveway where the crowd had gathered on the grass.
"If you'll bear with us for just a few minutes we've got some people that want to say a few words then we'll get to the official ribbon cutting. Following that there will be a reception in the main lobby and everyone is welcomed to tour the building and our new home. But first, I'd like to thank a few people."
"First and foremost, to my beautiful wife, Cornelia, thank you. You don't know how much you've meant to me over the past forty years. If you hadn't taken that chance and married that poor sharecropper's son, I'd probably still be farming. It was your strength and your determination that made me see the future that we now are sharing. I know I've been much too busy to really give you the attention that you've deserved all these years, but I do hope you know how much I love you and how much I cherish you. Without you, there would be no Garland International."
The applause was thunderous as Cornelia stepped up beside the podium to kiss her husband. Amazingly he pulled her into a big hug and kissed her long and hard. At first she pulled away from him to look him in the eye, then launched back in for another kiss. Never had he acted this carefree and open. Things do change after all.
Her husband released her and returned to the podium to continue his speech. He was introducing the executives of the corporation while Cornelia returned to stand beside Daniel and the boys.
"How are you holding up, honey? Have you heard anything yet?" She whispered.
"Not a word and not very well." He replied. "I can't hear him anymore. Nothing since I woke up this morning. I'm afraid that he's slipping away." Daniel nervously twisted the wedding bands with the fingers of his right hand.
"You know Arthur would have called if..." Cornelia started. "Oh, it's your turn." She pushed him towards the podium. "Do this for Paul." She whispered.
The crowd grew quiet as Daniel stepped up to shake Mr. Garland's hand. He turned to the microphones and pulled the speech Paul had dictated from his pocket.
"Ladies and gentlemen. As most of you know my husband, Paul Jamison painted the works that grace this new building. It should be him talking to you today and absorbing your appreciation and applause, but..." he stopped, unable to catch his breath. Tears began to run down his face.
Cornelia and the boys rushed up to stand around Daniel and pulled him into their arms. He turned to bury his head in Cornelia's shoulder as Jason took the paper and grabbed Kyle's hand.
"Come on Ky. We have to do this for our fathers."
Kyle wiped a single tear from his eye then stepped up to the podium, his lover stood slightly behind him.
"Please understand everyone it's been a rough few weeks for our family. Our other daddy is in the hospital and they're not sure whether he'll ever wake up. He wanted to say a few things so we'll read them to you."
Jason began, "Mr. and Mrs. Garland, Daniel and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our heart for your kindness, for your understanding and for your love. If it weren't for you and your trust these canvases would never have appeared. It was your strength that showed us how to get back on track and how to move forward in love and in peace..."
Kyle and Jason took turns reading the paragraphs of the speech. Each boy managed to read his portion then stood back to wipe his eyes as the other took a turn. They were nearing the portion that marked the dedication of the new statue that sat in the middle of the lawn, covered in a white cloth when a gray limousine turned into the driveway and slowly approached the gathering. Kyle paused when Mr. and Mrs. Avery, Monica and the Board of Directors of The Avery Foundation emerged from the cars. The group slowly moved towards the stage and Kyle continued until he finished the paragraph.
The Avery's stopped behind the podium and indicated that the boys should move back from the microphones. Monica pulled them both in to a big hug then turned to stand beside the boys. From the group a man stepped forward and began to speak to the gathered crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please let me apologize for my late arrival. For all they have done for us, I would like to dedicate to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Garland "Till the Stars Fall from the Heavens."
The covering was lifted from the large bronze statue that no one had seen since it's casting. Thunderous applause broke from the audience but was almost overwhelmed by the turmoil that erupted on the stage.
The night was clear and cool, no clouds in the sky to block the glorious view of the Milky Way. The group was gathered on the front lawn of the building, the last of the visitors had left them, finally. Cornelia and her husband were wandering around arm-in-arm laughing and joking like newlyweds. Nina, Mikey and Alan were keeping a watchful eye over the group but totally absorbed in the calm and serenity of the night. Kyle was sitting on the grass between Jason's legs, leaning back into his lover's caring embrace, their world suddenly returning to normal.
Nina stepped forward towards the bronze. "It's wonderful."
The statue was eight feet tall with likeness of Cornelia and Robert forming the base. They were holding hands with their other arms stretched towards the sky as if their embrace were holding the nine shining stars of varying sizes that were suspended between them.
"The hardest part was getting the two small ones added after the kids came to stay with us." Daniel explained. "One star for each person in the group that Cornelia took in, Nina, Mikey, Alan, Jack, Tony, Jason, Kyle, Paul and me." He explained.
"Well, I surely never expected this." Cornelia said as she dried her eyes and leaned back into Robert's arms.
"Okay, boys, time for lunch." Daniel yelled.
The kids came running toward the picnic area set up on the blanket in the sand. Their morning had been occupied with swimming and climbing on the rock that sheltered the quiet beach.
Daniel wandered away from the boys and towards the water's edge. The midday sun warmed his back as he stood watching the waves roll towards his feet.
"What are you thinking about?"
"About how familiar this place is. It's like every rock is in the same place, like I've been here before." Strong hairy arms encircled his waist.
"You have. Remember you dreamed this for us. I love you so much, Daniel."
"And I love you, Daddy Bear."