Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind.
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books.
I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered.
This story has taken on a life of its own. From its inception a year ago, I had only thought it would last ten chapters maximum. As you can see, it has grown tremendously. Mostly due to readers emailing me and telling me they've enjoyed it or have received help due to certain issues addressed. I've enjoyed writing this story but it would not have been written without men and women reading it and telling me they've enjoyed it. I do hope that you continue to enjoy each new chapter as our hero lives and grows.
I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from those who do not. I would enjoy hearing from you. Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks.
authorjames2002@yahoo.com
I also have several online messenger services, one of which is this yahoo email address. Some of you know them; however, in the recent weeks I've changed my screen name. If you want to chat with me in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you my screen name.
Chapter 31 Final Preparations
Lance and I woke up in the morning and kissed each other.
"Good morning, sleepy head," I said to him.
"After last night, I felt so relaxed I could have slept a week. It was fantastic."
"Just wait until our wedding night," I said with a smile.
"Oh, I can't."
Lance giggled and kissed me. Then he got up and went into the bathroom to relieve himself. He was so beautiful to me, from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, from his outer appearance to his very soul. I was totally in love with him. And soon he and I would be getting married, committed to each other until death did us part.
The next day we had a goodbye lunch for Dream Street. Chris, Joey, Justin and JC showed up to see the young men off. They were all happy mixing and mingling with each other, telling horror stories of traveling as well as some of the higher moments that come with seeing new, distant places.
Jesse and Frankie were happy to be able to express how much they cared about each other. It was cute to see them holding hands or Jesse sitting on Frankie's lap. They had come a long way in the short amount of time they had been here. After all, their expectations, or Jesse's expectations rather, was to be told how wrong being gay was. But Jesse was able to take the first step and realize that it is okay to be gay.
Chris had come a long way, as well. He wasn't in perfect condition, to be sure. There is only so much one can do. But since the source of his confusion was dealt with, he was able to see things a little easier. Being gay wasn't a black and white, right or wrong issue. It was a simple fact of life. That gave me hope for him. And I think he had hope, too. And that made all the difference in the world.
The burgers were eaten, the chips devoured and the drinks all but exhausted. Dream Street had to head out, go north and return to New York. A local psychologist was able to refer him to several in New York who could help him deal with his internal homophobia. Jesse agreed to go with Chris, as well, since he still had some things to work on. The guys were amazingly forgiving for what Chris did, especially after learning why he did what he did. I could tell Chris didn't believe he deserved their forgiveness. But he received it. And that helped him work on forgiving himself.
"Thank you so much," Greg said to me as the guys neared the door. "You've done a lot for all of us. You've helped us to be closer."
Matt ran off toward the bus.
Greg leaned in and gave me a hug. Then he gave Lance and the rest of NSYNC hugs.
"Thanks, for everything," Frankie said. "You helped me get my boyfriend back."
Frankie hugged me as well.
Jesse stepped up. "What can I say? You've helped me deal with something I believed was wrong. You helped me see that I wasn't a bad person or that I wasn't going to destroy lives by feeling what I do. I am so grateful."
Jesse and I embraced.
Matt returned to the house with a handful of gifts.
"For all you've done for us," Matt said looking from Justin to JC on down the line to me, "we wanted to show our appreciation. Here is a copy of our album for each of you."
"Thanks," Justin said, as did the rest of NSYNC. "That is so cool of you."
The boys of Dream Street headed out the door toward their bus. The young men of NSYNC turned and headed to the kitchen and patio to clean up.
I stepped out the door and looked at the boys as they boarded the bus. Chris was the last in line. He stopped at the door, turned and we made eye contact.
"I'll be back in a minute," he said to his band members and came walking back toward me.
With each step, his pace quickened until he was almost in a run. He jumped at me and I caught him. He held me tightly tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you so much," he said between sobs. "You've started me on the path of healing. I was on my way to suicide. I didn't know if I could ever live with this torment inside. You saved my life."
"You are welcome, Chris," I said choking back tears of my own. "You deserve to live and grow and turn into a strong, handsome man who is happy to be who he is."
Chris and I held each other for a moment. Greg, Matt, Jesse and Frankie stood at the doorway of their bus smiling at their friend. Justin, JC, Chris, Joey and Lance stood at the kitchen doorway looking through the living room at their friend.
I held Chris tightly and then let him down on the ground.
"Take care of yourself. And keep in touch. I want to know how things are going. And if there is anything I can do for you, call me. You still have my number?"
"Yeah," Chris replied.
I nodded at him and smiled. He wiped his eyes and smiled at me. Then he turned around and headed back to the bus.
"What are you guys smiling at?" Chris said with a laugh.
"Seeing our best friend happy," Matt replied.
Chris boarded the bus and the doors closed. Lance came up and put his arm around my waist. The guys of NSYNC came out and surrounded us. Five windows came down and Dream Street waved. NSYNC and I waved in return and watched as the bus drove down the street and around the corner.
"I don't know how you do it, Eric," Chris said. "The worst cases seem to find their way to you and you always figure out how to help. You amaze me."
"You amaze us all," JC added. "Ever since Joshua introduced you to us, we talked about you and your dedication."
"Well, most of us talked about your dedication," Joey said turning to Lance. "Some just talked about how cute you were."
The guys laughed and Justin ruffled Lance's hair. Then they went back inside to finish cleaning up. Lance kept his arm around my waist and he rested his head on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I answered. "It's hard to let go, sometimes."
"I know."
Lance kissed me on the cheek and released his grip, heading inside to help the others.
As I stood there, I felt sad in away. And I couldn't figure out why. My life was getting good. I was doing good in others lives. Why was I feeling so...so...weird, I guess is the word for it? I felt emptiness in my heart. It was like my heart was filled almost to overflowing, but something was still missing. One part was empty. What could it be?
"Are you coming, Eric?" JC asked.
"Yeah, I'm coming."
I turned and went in the house. Whatever I was feeling would have to wait until a time that I could address it.
I had taken a plane to Los Angeles. What I had to ask Brian had to be done in person. And with classes being over and summer break going on, he would be able to come to Clinton, Mississippi for the wedding. Lance had already gone to his home town to make arrangements for the wedding. His parents were going to help him. The rest of the guys were off somewhere as well. Since the group had talked of splitting up, each one had gone his own way getting things ready for the official split up time.
When the plane landed, I took a cab to Garrett's mansion. I didn't know Brian's current address and I wanted to see Jessica, especially since she was going to be Lance's best man.
All was quiet at the mansion. It wasn't surprising. Jessica was probably sleeping from a hard night of slayage. Garrett was gone, surprisingly. He was often found at home. Maybe he had to go to England or something.
When I turned to walk away, I heard a noise inside and turned my attention back. Trying the knob, the door opened and I entered quietly. The noise was coming from the front room. Stealthily I headed through the kitchen to the door. I opened the door slowly and peeked in. To my utter amazement, Jessica was straddling Justin impaled on his dick moving up and down riding him. Her eyes were closed and mouth turned up in great pleasure.
'Jessica and Justin are having sex,' I thought. 'I can't believe this!'
Justin's breathing turned into loud moans as did Jessica's. I shouldn't have been standing there watching but for some reason I couldn't move. It was too unreal what I was seeing.
"Oh god, Jess!" Justin said. His hips bucked and he thrust upwardly lifting Jessica off the couch.
"Justin!" she exclaimed her own hips bucking.
When she came down, she leaned backwards and Justin's cock flicked out of her spraying cum on her and him. It was still pumping.
I turned away and moved away from the door stifling a laugh. It was too humorous to see. Standing near the door out I calmed myself. I could hear the two breathing heavy.
"You are awesome, Jessica," Lance said kissing her.
"You're not too bad, either," Jessica replied.
I decided to step outside and ring the bell. I walked around front and approached the doorway. Trying to get a hold of myself as I kept laughing every time I pictured the two together, I pressed the buzzer.
"Just a minute," Jessica called out.
The sounds of frantic movement were heard through the door. No doubt Justin was running upstairs or some other out-of-the-way place. Jessica came to the door and opened it
"Nice robe," I replied.
"Thanks," she said. "What can I do for you?"
"Do you know Brian's address?" I asked.
"Why? Are you planning on beating him down like you did Alan?"
"No. I'm planning on asking him to be my best man."
Jessica's eyes widened a little. "Are you serious?"
"Very serious. It could have been you, but we haven't been on good terms for a while."
"True. Why don't you come in?"
I stepped inside and she closed the door behind me. "Have a seat."
I walked over and sat in the chair. Jessica sat on the couch.
"Eric, you and I have been through a lot this past year. We've gone from hunting vampires and backing each other up to being enemies. What is going on with us?"
"Ever since I was accused of murder, you've looked at me as being a criminal, no better than the vampires you hunt."
"And I can explain that. I saw what you were like when you were raped. You put on a good show as you. Everyone thought you were dealing with it and overcoming it. But as Batman, you were cold and cruel. You weren't the same person I admired in the suit."
"But after I came back from Sunnydale when I cleared my name, there was almost an outward despising of me. I was evil in your eyes. At least that is the only way I can explain it."
"You're right, Eric. Ever since your return from England, I have felt this negative energy from you. It is almost the same thing I feel toward vampires and demons. Subconsciously I perceive you as a demon."
I reached over and took Jessica's hand. "I'm not. I very much human and am very much in love with Lance. And I very much want us to be on good terms."
"Me, too, Eric. I want us to be the way we were months ago. Is it possible? Do you think we can do it?"
"If we work hard to get passed whatever feelings we have toward one another. Maybe then we will be okay."
"Let's try, shall we?"
We shook our heads in agreement. Then Jessica leaned over and embraced me.
"I'm happy for you and Lance. He called me right after he proposed to you and he called me after you two set the date. Where is he now by the way?"
"He's in Clinton making arrangements with his family for the church and reception."
"Have you two discussed honeymoon plans?" she asked with a smile.
"Not extensively. All we know is that we don't want to travel too far. After the incident in England, we are both gun shy of foreign countries right now."
"Understandable. I'll do some checking on domestic places and let you two know if I find anything."
"Thanks."
"Brian should be on campus right now. He said he had some things he wanted to research. Not sure what. Let me write down his home address in case he isn't there."
Jessica grabbed a pencil and a small sheet of paper. After writing it down, she handed it to me.
"Thanks for everything," I said standing up and heading toward the door.
"I'm glad we started to work things out. Let's try to keep it like this."
"Sounds good to me."
I hugged Jessica one more time and left.
Walking back on UCLA campus was very strange for me. It seemed the same, yet different. I guess they say one can never truly go home. The library was not too far ahead and I made my way there. As I entered the doors, the memory of Mrs. Freeze attacking the library came back to me. Poor Brian. He and I was studying in the library when she attacked. We both went our separate ways believing the other was going to get help. Instead, we both suited up and went to work, me on one side of the law and him on the other.
I walked up to the front desk and asked if they knew Brian. One young girl said yes and pointed in the direction he was in. I walked past bookshelf after bookshelf and eventually came to the table Brian was sitting looking up stuff.
"A bit late in the summer for doing research, don't you think?"
"Eric!" he exclaimed standing up and hugging me. "It's good to see you! What brings you out here?"
"I need your help with something."
"What is it?" he asked his voice quieting and his tone becoming serious.
"Are you just about finished? I'd like to go outside and talk."
"Sure," he replied.
Brian packed up his books and we headed outside.
"How did you do on finals?" I asked.
"Very well, thank goodness. A few classes I wasn't sure I'd get through, but I did okay."
"Good."
"What did you want to ask me?"
"I was wondering if you would back me up."
"For what?"
"For my wedding."
"Your...what?"
"Would you be my best man?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed. "When is it?"
"July thirty-first in Lance's hometown of Clinton, Mississippi."
"I think I can scrape the money together to get the airfare and motel accommodations."
"Nonsense. We'll pay for it."
"I would be honored, Eric."
"Thanks, Brian. I knew I could count on you."
"Have you talked to Jessica?"
"Yeah, I just came from there."
"How are things between you two?"
"Better. We had a little talk earlier. Things are going well between us."
"That's good to hear. Did you see Justin?"
"Sort of," I replied smiling.
"What's that smirk for?"
"I saw them in the throes of sexual ecstasy, although they didn't see me."
"They have been doing that a lot," Brian replied. "It started not too long after Justin broke up with that guy from Ocean Whispers."
"As long as they are happy," I replied.
"They seem to be. They both have sexual stamina out the wazoo."
Brian and I laughed. I knew all too well the sexual energy Justin had. I thought that only a mutant or a slayer would be able to satisfy him. From the looks of what I saw this morning, a slayer was very capable.
To Be Continued...