Treasured

Epilogue

Third Person

It was a cool October day, and if anyone had seen them, they would have thought they were a club or society of some sort. The oldest of them was probably in his 80s, all wrinkled and pressed like an old flower. Yet, he looked every inch like the gentleman he was. There were others there too, varying in age, but in their sixties.

"Can you believe this? Why, in my day and age that would not even be a thought!" One of the men grumbled, thumping the newspaper in his hands.

"There now, Cedar, calm yourself," a nimble man with pale blue eyes urged, the slightest bit of a French accent peeking through.

"Robbie, you look cold," A larger man sighed, offering a thick wrap to a rosy cheeked man.

"Because I am!" The man pouted.

The afternoon was spent grumbling about politics and the weather, and tucking each other up in shawls and scarves to keep the chill at bay. Hands still clasped onto each other, and smiles and fond looks were exchanged.

After a few hours, Branson wheeled the oldest of them indoors, taking care of Eddie as Eddie had taken care of them in past days. Soup and a warm cup of brandy for everyone was soon dished out. Dinner was a lively event as they reminisced of their younger days and daring escapades.

Cedar talked of the places in Europe he had seen, how different their cultures were, how quaint the countryside had been. He spoke if his voyages, the many adventures and experiences he had gained as a traveler.

June, Fletcher and Sal spoke of their students, the way so many of them had found romance and love inside the walls of a place they all held dear. The time one of the boys had nearly burned down the stables by accident, how a certain student had such bad luck he was constantly in danger of bodily danger or of breaking priceless items...

Robin revisited his own days as a student, the luxurious days he spent with June floating boats down the stream, braiding flower crowns, and listening to June's stories as he fell asleep.

Branson was quiet, but sang a song after dinner, notes a little shaky, but still as endearing to his listeners as ever.

And Eddie listened with contentment on his face.

Wren had passed on a few years before. The lovers had taken it with dignity, although they missed him every moment. He had always been frail, and to some degree, in pain. When he had gone, it was with peace and serenity.

He had gone to bed one night, and never woken. His last words to his lovers had been a sweet "I love you, sweet dreams!". He had lived longer than any of his doctors had predicted, and he had always been loved and protected.

Sal and Fletcher's forgotten promise was kept. Even as old, fat men, they looked out for each other. They grumbled about senseless things like government, and they talked about their loved ones with fondness and affection.

Orion and Wren watched from above as guardian angels, waiting for the reunion that would happen as the last days of winter came to a close. As those in the afterlife, they knew how fate would work to bring them all together once again.

~

When the last of them finally passed on to the world after this one, they were once more complete. Healthy, young, and in the happiest of places, eternity felt like freedom and joy.

They could love freely, unworried about other people's opinions, of death or worse just because they loved each other. They met the best versions of their families, they were blessed and at peace.

Wren smiled as he rested against Branson's chest, a sparkly ring on his finger.

"Our love has conquered space and time, hasn't it?"

Branson laughed softly, fondly, tracing Wren's lips with his thumb.

"How could we not? We are parts of a whole. We will always find our way back to each other."

"And that's a promise," Wren softly breathed.

They knew how each other felt, for that was a part of the next world. There were no need for words, and yet they spoke them often.

"Forever young," Eddie remarked, cuddling Sal on his lap. "And healthy."

"And happy," Orion beamed.

"And loved." Fletcher ended.

The group of lovers had forever to show their love and happiness. They had forever to kiss and hold each other. Go on summer picnics, have baking contests in the kitchen, or simply sit with each other in candle light.

Occasionally they chose to be rebirthed in the world, and live another life. But they always found each other in one way or another. And the after life waited for them each time they were done with earthly lives.

Love never dies. It ebbs, it flows, but it is a cycle. It is forever.

825 words.