Love Of My Life

Made in Heaven

Recommended song - Made in Heaven by Queen.

Tyler's POV

The hours passed as Tyler admired the scenery that the interior of British Columbia had to offer. Farmlands stretched for miles then met with the Cascade Mountains. The highway went through tunnels, eased over the mountainous ranges and as they closed in on Kamloops they were met with sagebrush and desert country.

They appreciated the beauty surrounding the area as they made their way to Bob and Sheila's home.

"Nervous?" Benjamin asked as he parked the car in front of their home.

"Nope. I'm really excited. I'm happy" Tyler told him honestly. Benjamin leaned in for a quick kiss and he smiled at him.

"I'm glad. I'm happy too. Let's go", he said reaching for the bag of bakery goods he picked up at Granville market before they left in the morning. He knew sheila loved the bakeries at the market.

He barely removed his finger from the doorbell when the door swing open widely.

"Benjamin!!" Sheila welcomed him loudly and grabbed him for a hug. "I have missed you!". She released him and looked over at Tyler and when they hugged she started to cry.

"I'm so glad to see you Tyler." She choked out wiping her tears. Tyler smiled at her warmly and gave her another warm hug.

Bob stood for a moment with a huge smile and made his way to Tyler. Wrapping his arms around him he had tears in his eyes. "I'm so glad you are here Tyler." Those words affected Tyler and he then started to cry. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged the man that saved him, protected him and made such a huge impact on his life all those years ago.

"I am so glad I am here too" Tyler said honestly. After the hugs and tears they walked into their comfortable home. Pictures of Mike growing up graced the walls, as well as other family members. Photos of grandkids, reunions, black and white photos of who he assumed were bob and sheila's parents.He looked at the photos of Mike, taking his time, studying them.

He remembered those few days he spent with the family after the fire. How Mike was protective and caring and didn't let him out of his sight. How Sheila fussed over him and Bob knew what to say to ease the lost little boys heart.

Conversation flowed over bbqed steaks on the deck. They asked Tyler about his family and life as a university student, Benjamin's music club and teaching, the upcoming wedding and they were excited about Bob and sheila's plans for retirement. They had so much to catch up on and it was effortless and easygoing. Bob was quiet for a while, deep in thought.

"Mike would have loved this. He would have been so happy for you both".

"He is" Benjamin spoke quickly. Tyler looked at him, not expecting this conversation but not worried that it came up.

"What do you mean?" Sheila leaned forward and looked at them both.

Benjamin took a few moments, not exactly knowing where to begin, so he starting from the beginning.

"I don't know if you will believe this or not, it is pretty unbelievable but Mike has definitely had a hand in this" Benjamin smiled lovingly at Tyler, interlocking their fingers before taking a deep breath but Tyler surprised him by speaking first.

"It started on the day of the accident. I was there with my family and heard the commotion and didn't know what was going on. I heard a voice telling me to help him and my brother Simon and I ran to the beach and told the large crowd that had gathered to stand back.

The next time I saw him was in the hospital a few hours later. My brother was taken there after visiting with his birth family and I saw Benjamin sitting alone in the hallway crying. I heard the same voice again telling me to comfort him. I walked over and hugged him. I didn't think I would see him again, but he ended up being my history teacher and guitar club was a huge part of my life in highschool. He didn't know it was me that hugged him.

I always thought he was a cool teacher and nice for teaching us kids the guitar but that was it. That was it until the third anniversary of Mike's death." Tyler said the last few words quietly. Bob and Sheila simply waited for him to continue but benjamin began talking.

"I hadn't gone to the lake since he died. I just couldn't but that morning I woke and felt a strong need to be there, to talk to him. I missed him so much, still do, but it was paralyzing how much I missed him. I was sitting on the bench when I felt arms wrap around me and when I looked up I saw Tyler." Benjamin turned to the younger man and looked at him with such adoration.

"Mike told him to comfort me. That I needed him, so he did. He has comforted me like no one in the world. He is everything to me. Do you know why he was there?" He asked Bob and Sheila watching them shake their heads.

"He went there every year on July 1st to pay his respects to Mike even though at the time he didn't realize who he was. He had no idea that Mike was the boy who helped him all of those years ago and offered him such comfort in his time of grief. He went every year for me.  I truly believe that Mike lead us to each other.  He knew what I needed and that is Tyler."

Bob and Sheila had silent tears but their faces held soft smiles. That was typical of Mike, Bob thought, always thinking of others".

"I hope that wasn't upsetting to you" Tyler said quietly.

"No, not at all. It's quite like Mike to do that, isn't it?" Bob said with a gentle laugh.

"Do you believe it?" Benjamin asked nervously, so wanting approval from Bob and Sheila. They nodded and Sheila began to speak.

"Did Mike ever tell you about the night of the fire and why he happened to be there?" Sheila asked Benjamin who merely shook his head.

"He was riding his bike from the grocery store when he saw a little boy in the middle of the road crying." Sheila looked at the two young man who sat across from them.

"He stopped his bike and tried to get the boy to talk but he just pointed and started running. Mike followed him on his bike and they ended up in front of your house. You were outside" Sheila looked at Tyler.

"You had told Bob that your brother was still inside the house and he went back in the house. When Mike turned around the boy was gone but he went to you and held on to you. Mike said that the boy that stopped him on the street and ran to the house was the boy that Bob had carried out of the house. He recognized his clothes."

Tyler was shocked. He took several minutes to process what was just said. Cole got help for him. He didn't want him to be alone and scared.

Tyler smiled at the realization. He loved his brother so much and to know that their bond was that strong to filter into the afterlife was powerful.

They were all quiet. Each with their own thoughts and feelings and not being able to talk about them at that moment. The silence wasn't awkward, in fact it was quite the opposite. They each reflected on Mike and Cole and how bonded they all were because of it. It was a new sense of joy, replacing the grief that they all had shared and at times had all consumed parts of their life.

The burden was lifted and replaced with a feeling of complete peace that neither man had ever experienced. They knew their love was special, timeless, rare, precious but to have the fates lend a hand was the most euphoric feeling imaginable. Truly, their love was heaven sent.

The End

Thank you for reading this story. The book is completely different from the initial idea was, I tried to write Tyler as a mean character but just couldn't so I scraped the initial idea and this book took a mind of its own. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Stay tuned for the second book in the series, continuing with Benjamin and Tyler although the book will focus on five years in Simon's life.

March 2020