Life after Death: The Afterlife of Hezekiah Chamblee

Chapter Forty-Four: The Bonding Ceremony and a Final Farewell

Hezekiah's POV

Meanwhile, back at the Palace of Dreams...

"Dearly beloved, we have gathered on this blessed occasion to celebrate a union between two destined soulmates- two young lovers who were divided by families full of hate and now are reunited in the Nexus," God intoned as the bonding ceremony between me and Chance was now underway. Catia and Eva served as my honor maids with Cameron as my brother of honor while Colton and Carlton served as Chance's honor attendants as Lucifer stood in as the best man. "These two young men had been searching for each other and for true love while facing adversity in their lives on Earth. But while death kept them apart, their will to find each other never faded away. The love that they shared- the kind of love that is unconditional and pure, the kind of love that does not demand or debase anyone- is one that I wish for all mankind to have for one another. If that kind of love flowed through Earth, imagine a world everyone can be free to live in."

God turned to me and Chance as the two of us clasped each other's hands, nervousness and giddiness flowing all around. "Gentlemen, say your vows through whatever lies within your heart," He instructed us.

Chance stared at me, a feeling of joy flowing through him. "Hezekiah, there's nothing more of what I can say than what's been said before about you and I," he began. "The moment when I first met you, I saw you as a lonely soul who never stood a chance with teachers ready to mold you into the perfect puppet for your parents. And while I had my own problems with my own family, I knew that what I was feeling for you was more real than what I could ever imagined. Every moment that we spent time with each other was one that I've never forgotten before my parents killed me. I hoped and prayed that you and I would find each other once again, even if it meant you being in heaven while I remained in the Nexus. But as I swam in your pool when you first arrived, my dreams of reuniting with you came true. Not even Rosalia's wiles could deter me from proving that my love for you was real. Now that we're here, I vow to make sure that you thrive and be more than what you were told to be by your parents. I want to make sure that you lived the life that you were denied to enjoy. I want to make you laugh, dance, and sing no matter what comes our way. I love you, Hezekiah Chamblee."

I heard Catia burst into tears as she was being soothed by Gabriel.

It was my turn to speak. "Chance, my life was incomplete yet full of expectations since my family hated me for being the son of a chauffer," I began. "When I met you, I thought that you were going to only stick around for a small moment before you drifted to your world of athletes and popular kids. You surprised me by sticking around and being the one friend that I never imagined to have. And when people wanted to keep us apart, I had to count my blessings for every moment that we did spend together. I knew that our families would never approve of us being friends, never mind my growing attraction that I had to keep under wraps. I never expected to find love since my world was mainly full of impossible ideals, settling for less, and being known as the unwanted child. But after being placed in the Nexus and reuniting with you, I began to learn how to truly live in a world where rejects like us could thrive. Most of all, it was you who taught me to start living in the moment and stop mourning for the people who hated me. Chance Dalton, I don't know what the future holds for us, and I can't imagine what could happen next. But one thing is clear now that we're going to make it official: I am grateful that you're my soulmate and I am hopelessly in love with you. I dedicate my new life to you and you alone and I promise to love myself in the same way that you love me. Thank you, Chance Dalton, for being my friend, lover, and soulmate."

"This is marvelous," Eva sobbed as the arch-demons came to her side.

After Chance and I slid the rings that were given to us, God faced us with a wide smile on His face. "After those vows, there is nothing left to say," He proclaimed. "Chance Dalton and Hezekiah Chamblee, may you both find happiness in each other and may your bond as soulmates be as timeless as your eternity in the Nexus. Kiss now, and let the bond be sealed!"

"Don't mind if I do," Chance snarled devilishly as he branded his lips on mine with a hungry and passionate kiss as our wedding party and all the angels, arch-angels, cherubs, seraphims, and demons cheered. This...was definitely heaven sent.

*********************

"We have to say goodbye," Cameron told me sadly. "It was a true honor for me to witness you finally finding your happiness again, Hezekiah. No, let me say this right: it was an honor for me to witness you finding your joy again because joy can never be taken away. I wish that you continue to find more in the Nexus."

"Thank you," I said as Chance and my fathers came to my side. "I'll miss you more than I already do, Cameron. Promise me that you'll never forget me and that you'll keep living a life that can give you pure joy. And when you head back to Earth...kiss Minnie Jean for me and forgive everyone who wronged me."

"I will," my little brother promised me as we hugged each other for the last time.

"Time to head back to Earth, Cameron Chamblee," God intoned. "Live well and know that your brother will be in the best of care."

"Thank You, Sir," he said as I watched him slowly fade away until he was completely gone.

I let the tears fall as my husband rubbed my back. "He's going to be okay," he told me. "Cameron's a good kid who's going to make it on his own."

"I know," I replied. "I just want him to have the same love that you and I have, you know?"

"He will," God told me. "He has his soulmate waiting for him back on Earth as we speak. And they will be the couple that you two will be in the Nexus."

"How's that?" I asked.

He and Lucifer smiled widely. "As My brother would tell His faithful believers, a little bit of faith can do marvelous wonders," the latter replied. "Now, there's the matter of Rosalia Domingue and her plans to claim Chance. She has no idea of what took place. But I believe that I can arrange for her final moments in the Nexus."

Chance and I looked at each other briefly. "Whatever you're planning, you have our blessing," we said in unison.

"Perfect," the god of the underworld crooned, snapping his fingers as he and his legion disappeared.

God chuckled, shaking his head. "This is going to be quite a moment," He intoned. "As for you two, I arranged for you both to enjoy your honeymoon at Pacifica Vista. Enjoy it, boys. You deserve it."

With that, He snapped his fingers twice and the same bright light that brought us to the Palace of Dreams enveloped everyone as we all disappeared- our friends heading back to the Nexus while Chance and I were at Pacifica Vista at the entry of the massive resort where the workers were congratulating us on our union.

Today...was simply a golden moment. And as long as Chance and I had each other, all was well.

Well, folks, this was one chapter that was truly heaven-sent. We still have to deal with the endgame for Miss Rosalia Domingue, but that'll be saved for the penultimate chapter as we're closer and closer to the grand-finale.

Media: "Wedding Day" By Seal ft. Heidi Klum

But coming up next, we're heading back to Boston General as Cameron's wide awake and we read the last of the remaining journal entries from Hezekiah's journal with siblings forgiving each other and so much more. Don't you dare miss a single beat, folks!

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