Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2020 15:34:54 +0100
From: Alain Mahy <amahy1957@gmail.com>
Subject: Dancing with love 3

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	We stayed in the same position for the longest time, not talking,
just enjoying the moment we had just lived, fulfilled and satisfied and
yes... happy.  I had imagined that situation a hundred times.  It was far
beyond my wildest expectations.

	Unfortunately, Jeremy couldn't stay too long.  The busy life of a
physician I guess, but also the life of a carer for a sick person.  I was
not supposed to work yet.  I admit I love my job and I had been missing it
quite a lot.  The first person I called was Jeff.  I wanted to know how far
he got with Jeremy's house.  I was glad to hear he would be finished before
the deadline.  I had already talked with my Mum to know how much time she
would need to finish the decoration so that the house would be livable and
more a home than a house.  Jeff told me she was already very busy with
painters and carpenters.  I was really eager to see it all with my own
eyes.  I knew that if I went over to the construction site and that my Mum
was there, she would be really mad at me, so I stayed home but planned to
go over there as soon as possible.

	I started up my laptop to check on my e-mails.  I saw that Mark and
Filip had activated an "out-of-office" message.  The only e-mails that came
true were from people wishing me well and hoping for a quick recovery.  I
responded to those with a tank you message and then deactivated the
out-of-office message.  I wasn't going to sit on my butt doing nothing.  A
call to Mark and Filip was in order to have all the other e-mails with
price requests and so on.  We discussed the current business and I soon had
my agenda full despite the doctor's orders.

	Everybody told me to keep it quiet, to not overdo it.  I had to
impose a schedule on myself and rested as much as possible, but the
business went on.  Jeremy warned me that I wouldn't get a second chance and
that scared me.  The image of the woods and lake came back more frequently,
although there was a small change in that image.  At the edge of the lake,
I could see the shadow of a man.  It wasn't crystal clear but there was
definitely someone there, apparently with his feet in the water.  The
feeling of peace was always there as well.  I just wondered what the
meaning of that image was, but couldn't find it.  It intrigued me.  It
intrigued me even more when the image became like a movie as I could
clearly see the wind in the trees, the clouds passing by and even the man
at the lake move slightly.

	When Jeff and my Mum called me almost simultaneously to say the
house was finished and ready to move in, I was overjoyed and as excited as
Jeremy and Claire to see the finished results.  I had not been able to go
and see it by myself, but I trusted Jeff and Mum enough to know it had to
be spectacular.  The day before the actual move, my Mum came to pick me up
and go and see it.  The collaboration of Jeff and my Mum made it so
special.  Even if I had designed it and I normally can visualize what I
draw, I was in awe.  The furniture wasn't all there yet, but I just loved
the place.  My Mum had even contacted a landscaper for the garden and the
surroundings.  Just driving from the road to the main entrance, it all
exuded peace and tranquility.  The house was standing there, just like a
jewel in its case.  I felt some pride, which increased when I got into the
house.  I had the feeling this was perfection, like all houses should be
like this one.  I had created it, with all perfect proportions.  Nothing
was too big or too small.  The kitchen was any chef's dream.  The ample
living room/dining room was cosy and inviting.  The bedrooms and bathrooms
were perfectly equipped as to make Claire's life as easy as possible.  The
backyard was a pure heaven, with a lot of flowers and the swimming pool
overlooking the surrounding scenery.  All the walls were painted with a
combination of soft pastels and touches of stronger colors. It was
beautiful.  I crossed my fingers that Claire and Jeremy would like it as
much as I did, but didn't really doubt about it.

	I had suggested to come and help with the move, but Jeremy
energetically refused.  If I wanted to be helpful, he said, I could take
Claire out for the day and that was exactly what I did.  I picked her up
fairly early at their duplex and drove into town, the first visit being at
the mall.  We went for coffee first and then shopping.  I didn't know
shopping with Claire would be so much fun.  Apart from being fun, it was
also a source of information about what Jeremy liked.  She was giving me
advise on what he liked and disliked, what I could buy for a birthday or an
anniversary and even Christmas.  It felt like she was preparing me for the
years to come, persuaded Jeremy and I would be together for a very long
time and knowing she would never see it.  We had lunch at a small
café and talked more and once again Jeremy was the subject of all
conversations.  It was obvious she wanted me to know as much as she knew
herself about her husband.  She was in a hurry to update me as if she knew
we were not talking about months any more.  She was very realistic about it
and it made me sad that I hadn't known her a lot earlier.  Jeremy had been
right telling me we would be great friends.

	In the late afternoon we finally went to the new house.  Claire was
speechless when she saw it.  Just as I drove up to the main entrance, the
mover's truck left the property.  I was eager to see the final decoration
of the house with all its furniture and Claire was as nervous as I was.  I
stopped the car just in front of the door and Jeremy immediately came out
to help his wife to get in the wheelchair and then pushed her inside.  I
recognized a few of the personal touches of my Mum, who was still busy
arranging things.  When I entered the living room I had that feeling of
coming home.  What surprised me the most was a painting hanging above the
fireplace.  I stood there, totally motionless, my eyes glued to that
painting.

	It was the perfect reproduction of the image I saw in my dreams and
the flashes I received.

	I was stunned, knocked out and couldn't move nor speak.  This was
totally surreal. Nonetheless, I felt Jeremy's hands on my shoulders while
he was standing behind me.  His mouth was next to me ear and he whispered
softly.

	-Isn't it beautiful?

	I woke up from my stupor and turned around.

	-Jeremy, I told you about my visions and my dreams, yes?

	He nodded.

	-This painting above the fire place is EXACTLY the vision and
dreams I have... till the last detail.  In my dreams it is moving, I mean,
the clouds and the wind in the trees. But apart from that, there is no
difference at all...

	He looked over my shoulder to the painting, as stunned as I was.
There was no logical reason for me to dream about that painting that I was
seeing for the first time in real.  I asked Jeremy if he had any idea who
was the painter of this artwork, but he had no idea at all.  It was one of
Claire's paintings, but had no idea where it came from.  He promised to ask
Claire when she was up to it.  The mystery of it confused me more than what
I expected.  I felt my heart beat faster and got a little dizzy, as well as
weak in the knees.  I had problems standing on my feet and was lucky enough
Jeremy was at my side, as he felt me going down and about to fall to the
floor.  He quickly put me down on the sofa and urged me to lay down.  He
yelled at no one in particular to bring him a cold wet towel as well as his
doctor's medical bag.  While I was between fainting and consciousness, I
saw an image of a man I had never seen before.

	My Mum rushed in with a cold wet towel, followed by Claire in her
wheelchair.  There was suddenly a chaos around me, although I was not
really aware of it.  They just told me afterwards.  The wet towel felt good
on my forehead and a second one was applied to my neck.  Jeremy had his
stethoscope in his ears and listened to my chest.  I remembered I was
thinking that I didn't want to go back to the hospital.  Little by little I
came to my senses and saw all but concerned faces around me.  I was sorry I
had worried everyone so much, but then again, I had no clue of what was
happening to me.  I certainly would have to tell my cardiologist about it.

	After listening to my heart and measuring my blood pressure, Jeremy
had no choice to say everything was normal.  There was no medical
explanation to what had happened, which was reassuring.  In all that
chaotic surrounding, I couldn't help myself to ask Claire where she had
gotten the painting from.  She looked quizzically to me, not understanding
where that question was coming from, but answered me anyway.

	-It is my brother who gave it to me.  It was painted by a friend of
his...  Why?

	I had to know who that friend was and talk to him.  The coincidence
of dreaming about it and seeing it hanging on a wall was to important.
That friend of Claire's brother would know where he got the inspiration
from, to draw and paint this landscape.  I told her so and meanwhile,
everybody around me would know about my visions.

	The most intense look came from my Mum.  I knew her brain was
working at full speed and even in overload.  As she didn't make any comment
at all, except asking me if I felt all right, indicated that she had some
ideas in her head.  Knowing her as I did, I knew she was going to leave
soon and start a serious investigation.  It was just her way of doing
things and not speak before she had all the information she wanted to have.

	I sat upright, carefully as to not have another dizzy sensation.
It was obvious I had been already too busy and didn't rest enough.  I too
easily forgot I had some serious surgery and a new heart beating in my
chest.  With spending the day with Claire, I hadn't have my usual siesta.
My body was screaming for attention and telling me to slow down.  It
happened too often that we didn't take in account the things our own body
was telling us.  That I wanted or not, I just received a warning and had to
be very consequent about it.  I wanted to go home and lay down.  I could
understand Jeremy couldn't leave Claire with her nurse and drive me home.
I asked my Mum to drive me home and Jeremy to come and collect me so I
could get my car back the following day.  I was sensible enough to not sit
behind the wheel of the car, although it was a short trip.

	It was still early when I was home and Mum had left.  I had a very
light dinner of some fruit and a yogurt and went to bed.  It wasn't even
dark outside.  Don't ask me what I dreamt about because I can't say it.  I
just knew it was not as peaceful as the dreams I had the other nights and
for once I got up but was not rested.  It worried me a bit as normally seen
I sleep very well and get up as fresh as a rose!

	Around ten in the morning, Jeremy dropped by.  When he saw my face,
he immediately knew I was not at my best.  His professional side took over
for a minute, but he couldn't detect anything wrong.

	-What's bothering you Al?

	I couldn't tell it exactly.  I didn't feel like I should, but at
the same time I couldn't define what was not ok.  As he told me that
physically there was nothing wrong, it had to be a mental issue.  Yes,
seeing the painting at his house had affected me more than I could say.  It
was such a weird feeling.  The other thing was the image I had received of
the face of an unknown man.  I told Jeremy all about what was on my mind.
If I wanted us to become a couple and have a serious relationship, it was
necessary to have no secrets at all.

	He listened to me very carefully and admitted he had forgotten to
ask more details to Claire about the author of the painting.  She just
mentioned a friend of her brother, but that was quite vague.  I knew he
wanted the best for me and in the short time we had known each other,
Jeremy had learned quite a lot about me.  One of the mayor things was how
to have me relax.  Feeling his arms around me, had such a calming effect on
me and he knew it.  That was why he did it.  We were sitting on the sofa
where I was half laying on him and having his arms protecting me.  I felt
so safe with him.  I didn't have to be scared about anything, but I felt
always better when he was touching me.  When I was in such a state, he also
lowered his voice, to a whispering tone, choosing his words carefully.  I
couldn't feel more loved at these moments.

	I mentioned the words Claire had spoken to me about being fortunate
to receive some extra DNA with the transplant.

	-If we think logically, it would indeed be like that.  If we think
about it with a scientific approach, I doubt about it, but I would have to
look it up.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk it over with your
cardiologist, although he is specialized in hearts and not necessarily with
DNA.  I'll try to get more information about the subject with some
colleagues, but whatever they tell me, there is one thing that I am sure
of: I love you with all my heart despite the mix of DNA or not.

	And then he kissed me passionately, making me feel that his words
were meant and didn't leave the slightest trace of a doubt.  It was
difficult to describe Jeremy's kisses.  I had kissed a few guys before him,
but it was nothing compared to Jeremy's way of doing it.  It was as if I
couldn't breath and when he kissed me, my lungs opened up and the fresh air
could reach them.  The result was always the same: it made me hopelessly
horny.  It made me want to explore his body and soul, mixing the physical
and the emotional sides of what we were living.  I wondered if he was
always looking at my crotch because he always detected my hard-ons so
quickly.  His right hand traveled from my chest to my genitals and caressed
them softly through my sweatpants.  I moaned softly and even though I
couldn't see his face, I knew he was smiling.  He outlined my hard manhood
up and down and soon enough there was a wet spot at the tip of my cock.  I
turned around so that he could still caress my manhood and that I could see
his face and kiss him.  What always started as soft kissing, turned to more
passionate and I could feel his tongue invade my mouth, searching for any
deep corner.  My tongue responded to his and the deep kissing was waking up
the urge to go further.  Our hands were not idle and in the uncomfortable
position we were in, we couldn't really reach all the places we wanted.
That was why I got on my feet, took Jeremy's hand and dragged him to the
bedroom.  It was not really easy to move from one room to the other, not
stopping to kiss, but we managed.

	When we were standing next to my bed, the urge of feeling the
other's naked skin was the most important thing.  For Jeremy it was easy as
I had only a T-shirt and my sweatpants, but he was coming from the street
and had more on his body than I did.  Nonetheless, I loved to undress him
and time after time discovering his body, kissing and licking every square
inch that came to sight.  He was liking it as well as he let me do it, not
hurrying me, not even helping me to have the job done earlier.  My favorite
part was when I opened his trousers and that they fell to the floor around
his ankles, letting me see his tiny white briefs which were fully packed,
showing his huge manhood that was trying to show up above the elastic
waistband of it.  I went crazy when I saw the little briefs.  I have always
loved them above boxers or any other underwear.  It was even more erotic
than when he was completely naked.  I dropped to my knees to remove his
shoes and socks and pull the trousers completely off.  I pushed him and he
fell on his back on the bed.  I looked at him with an undeniable lust.  He
opened his arms, inviting me to get into them, but I had other ideas.  I
kneeled between his legs and went for his covered cock, licking it through
the fabric of his underwear, munching softly on this fine piece of meat,
wetting the fabric till it became almost transparent.  It was only then
that I could see how hugely endowed he was.  I couldn't wait any longer and
with my fingers in the waistband, I pulled the wet fabric over his legs and
feet and off.  I wanted to go slow, but with such a hunk of a man in my
bed, it was almost impossible.  I had to lick him, kiss him, taste him.  I
had never been so hungry for my lover's body as I was that morning.  I
wanted to tease him with slow and enticing movements, but I was fooling
myself as I couldn't resist the urge of feeling his cock deep in my throat.
Jeremy's body was squirming under my touch and he grabbed the sheets as to
be able to hold on to something.  His deep voice was pronouncing
incomprehensible words, guttural sounds from his throat, making me suck him
with even more strength, deep-throating him till I couldn't breath anymore.
I was overwhelmed with a fever to pleasure him to no end.  Between the
ragged sounds he could finally tell me to turn around and give him access
to my own throbbing hard-on.  I knew this 69 position would start with rock
hard cocks in our mouths, but that we would go further, licking balls,
munching on taints and finally eat-out each other's asses.

	The need to feel each other, the urge to pleasure each other was
incredible.  I loved our way to get to total physical satisfaction and we
just knew how to do it.  When Jeremy's tongue reached my ass, wetting it
with a lot of spit, I was already trying to push a finger in him, looking
for his prostate and caressing it till he would ejaculate even more precum
that I would catch in my mouth, leaving it for a moment on my tongue before
swallowing it so that I could taste his sweet/salty production.  He
mimicked my actions and soon I was crying out loud, expressing the ecstasy
he woke up.  I felt my balls retracting in my belly, but didn't want to cum
yet.  I wanted to feel him in me completely or being in him till I couldn't
get any deeper.  Our total versatility was giving us double pleasure.  It
had no importance who penetrated who, it was always satisfactory.  As I was
on top of Jeremy, he pushed me aside, and with his agility, he was kneeling
between my legs, pushing them apart with his knees.  He was clearly in "top
mode" and I reached for the tube of lube, although with the amount of spit,
it was not really necessary.  Anoint his over sensitive cock with lube
would wake-up all the nerve endings in his manly organ and making him want
to push deep inside of me.  I also lubed my hole as to have the easiest
penetration, not having to wait for my body to adjust to his invading
manhood.

	Just feeling his cock-head slightly rub over my puckered hole, gave
me shivers.  The anticipation of having him inside of me was filling me
with feverish lust.  I spread my legs wide in the air, giving him the best
access and inviting him to make love to me the way he liked most.  As he
was pushing against my sphincter, I relaxed my muscles and wrapped my legs
around his waist, pushing with my heels on his buttocks and feeling him
entering me in the most exquisite way.  It was obvious he was about to
caress my prostate with his cock, pushing even more precum out of my
cock-head.  The first thrust on my sensitive prostatic organ made me gasp
for air.  Jeremy bent down and kissed me while the last inch of his cock
pushed its way into my bowels.  We were once again united, physically and
mentally.  We put all our heart in the kiss and as soon as he started the
in-and-out movement I blessed heaven for bringing Jeremy into my life.
Long, slow strokes got me wild, knowing that he would increase speed and
strength to reach places I didn't even realize I had.  His hot cock mingled
well with the furnace that was my ass.

	Jeremy took his time to alternate slow long strokes with short and
hard ones.  He had to control himself as not to reach orgasm too quickly.
We both loved it when he delayed our orgasms as much as he could, making us
enjoying the feelings in our nether regions.  He pushed himself upright
till he was on his knees, grabbing my ankles and widening my legs as far as
his arms allowed him, pushing his hips in a steady rhythm.  I was in
heaven, on cloud nine and didn't want to come back to reality.  I squeezed
my ass muscles to be sure he wouldn't get out of my ass, but doing that, I
increased the speed of Jeremy reaching his orgasm.  The short, hard and
strong thrusts, told me he was going to shoot a huge load into me.  We
strove to go on without ejaculating, but the excitement was far too strong.
Jeremy's ragged breathing told me he was about to empty his balls and when
I felt the spasm in his cock, it sent me over the edge.  I didn't even
touch my cock when the first spurt of semen landed on my chest.

	Our balls were empty far too soon.  Jeremy dropped my ankles and
collapsed on me.  I crossed my ankles on his back to be sure he wouldn't
get out of me.  He hold my face in his hands and kissed me with a renewed
energy and love.  I kissed him back, putting all my love and passion in it,
making him understand we were together and in perfect communion.  His cock
deflated and left my hole.  I hated that feeling of emptiness after the
lovemaking, but nature was stronger than our own will.  Feeling his sweaty
body on mine made me happy.

	I faintly heard the ringing of his cellphone and hated the fact
that he would get up to answer it.  I had to get used to that, as it could
always be an emergency he had to attend as a physician.  As he went to the
living room to get his phone, I suddenly felt cold alone in this bed.  That
cold was not only the temperature, it was also the fact that my lover was
suddenly not with me anymore.  I heard him talk but didn't understand what
he was saying.  It seemed it was not going to be a short call, so I got up
and went to the shower.  I adjusted the temperature of the water before I
got in.  I let the water cascading over me before taking some soap and wash
my body and hair.  I had my eyes closed while soaping up.  I didn't hear
the door of the shower open, but clearly could feel Jeremy's presence
behind me.  His arms wrapped around me and he softly kissed my neck while
letting his hands roam over my slippery body.  I rinsed the soap away,
turned around and welcomed his lips on mine.

	-You came to say you have to go, don't you?

	-Unfortunately, yes ...  You know that I am available for my
patients 24/7, but I promise you I will make it up to you!

	Knowing Jeremy like I started to know him, it was true he would.
Even though I had not slept well, after our lovemaking and the shower I
felt a lot better.  I still would have to make an appointment with the
cardiologist because of what happened the day before.  I also expected to
have at least a phone call from my Mum although I suspected that she would
rather call Jeremy first to have a precise update on my condition.  The
surprise was when the first call I got, was from Claire.  Jeremy had told
her the story about my visions and dreams and she had inquired with her
brother where the painting was coming from.

	-The painter of what you saw above the fireplace at our house, is
of a friend of Jules, my brother.  He has no information about where or
when it was painted.  He promised me to call me back as soon as he knows
anything.  But... tell me about the visions and the dreams Al.  It
intrigues me.

	I told her in detail how the images had appeared after my surgery
and insisted there was nothing to worry about as it always gave me peace
and happy feelings.  It had just been a shock to see it so clearly with my
own eyes.

	-I understand, she said, but Jeremy said you were anxious to know
where that place was...

	-Anxious is maybe a too big word Claire.  It would just be nice to
see the place as it gives me so much peace.  A painting is nice, but the
real thing must be awesome.  It is also true that I feel drawn to it, even
before I saw the painting at your house.  It can sound stupid, but
something tells me that the place has something magical, or at least
surreal.  For most of the people it is just a painting, but it is more to
me than just that.  God... I don't know how to explain it.  There is no
rational approach to all this.  I just feel, or better said, I just know I
will have to find this place sooner or later.

	She understood.  We were really on the same wavelength.  There was
no surprise about that.  We had a very similar mindset.  We even loved the
same man.

	The following week, Claire called me again.  She had talked to her
brother.

	-Al, I saw my brother and asked him about the artist who made the
painting he offered me.  Unfortunately, the artist died a few months ago,
but Jules told me his family was making a photo album about his paintings,
to remember him and honor his work.  For the moment, he doesn't know the
place that was an inspiration for the artist, but once he receives a copy
of the album, he promised me to at least ask the family if they know where
it was made.

	-I'm sorry to hear he died Claire.  I think it will be very
interesting to see the copy of the album.  Apart from the connexion I have
with your painting, I really like his style and I would love to see his
other works.  I would probably be interested in buying one for myself.  Let
me know when I could have a look at that kind of catalogue.

	-I sure will!

	The strange thing was that since I had seen the painting in
Jeremy's house, the dream didn't come back anymore.  The only image I still
received was the face of that unknown man.  With each dream, I could see
that face clearer.  I could even start to see details of that face as if
the images were a close-up.  Jeremy often asked me if the dreams and images
were still coming to my mind and I told him everything in detail.

	Meanwhile, I had more and more work.  I spent so many hours at my
drawing table that I almost didn't see my apartment.  Even with my Mum I
had phone calls, but I didn't see her, let alone seeing my father who was
very busy as well.  Jeremy and I had daily contact and I couldn't stand to
not see him for more than two days.  I had that deep inside need to see him
and feel his presence and the physical touch, even if it was just a hug and
a kiss.  He always tried to stay as long as possible, but the constant
calls for his professional skills and the needs of Claire, were making it
difficult.  When he suggested to get away for two days (only) I was
overjoyed.  My happiness had no more limits.  Two days!  That was
forty-eight hours with him, without interruption.  I couldn't believe my
luck.  He even promised to leave his cellphone at home, giving precise
instructions to the nurse.  It had been Claire's suggestion to have that
little getaway.  She was convinced we needed some quality time together and
assured Jeremy she could manage for two days if the nurse saw no problems.

	That week-end, he diverted his professional calls to a good
colleague of him.  We would leave on the Friday night and come back on the
Sunday night.  We had found a small family run hotel in the mountains.  The
pictures on the internet looked absolutely fabulous.  They offered high
quality week-end, combined with gourmet meals.  We received the necessary
coordinates to put in the GPS of the car.  The woman on the phone said that
if we had not been there before, we would probably not even find the hotel
without a GPS.  We were supposed to arrive there before 8pm as to not miss
the first meal.  I had prepared a small bag with my toiletries and a change
of clothes.  Jeremy would pick me up at my office around 6pm.  I should
better have taken the day off as I was too excited to do any decent job.  I
looked more at my watch than concentrating on my drawings.

	At 5.30pm I had already tidied my office and it was good that I did
as Jeremy arrived early.  He seemed as excited as I was to have the two
days on our own.  If the kiss he gave me at my office was any indication,
the week-end was going to be a very hot one.  My God!  He could be so
passionate when kissing and I always answered his kiss in the same way.  If
you looked for the word "passionate" on Google, there had to be a picture
of Jeremy and I kissing.  We were soon on the road, Jeremy at the wheel and
following the instructions of the GPS.  Now that we were together, there
was no hurry anymore.  The simple fact of being close to each other was
more than enough for us.  We could feel the energies flowing from one to
the other and felt just happy.

	The hotel was indeed well hidden and very private.  It was an
idyllic place and as we arrived just before sunset, we could admire the
surroundings.  The setting sun was giving the place really beautiful colors
and I couldn't help it to think about the painting, as the scenery was very
similar although different.  We were greeted by a charming lady who
explained everything about the place, offering us a glass of Champagne as
welcome drink.  She and her husband ran the place, together with their son
who was a chef and their daughter helping wherever it was necessary.  Our
room was simple but decorated with a lot of taste.  The en-suite bathroom
was worth what you find in five star hotels.  We immediately felt home and
very comfortable.

	The first meal was absolutely exquisite, but nothing compared to
our first night together.  We made love from the moment we reached our room
and almost till dawn.  It was incredible as we had multiple orgasms,
penetrated each other several times.  My ass and my cock were sore and I
could very well imagine Jeremy had the same problem.  It was better than
the first time and I just hoped it would be better every time we made love.
We were so exhausted that we slept profoundly and even missed breakfast.
Around noon we went for a long walk, discovering the beauty of the place.
Around 4pm we were back in our room with the intention of having a nice
siesta, but we were horny once again.  We almost had to hurry to be in the
restaurant in time for dinner.  We knew we had to go back the following
day.  It was obvious that as well Jeremy as I wanted to stay longer, but
our professional occupations didn't allow it.  On our way back to our
places, we were silent in the car, holding hands the whole time.  We just
had to make more time for ourselves and do some escapades more often.  The
week-end had brought us even closer than what we were.  Apart from the
lovemaking, we had talked so much and about any and everything, but most of
all about what we thought our future would be.

	Jeremy insisted a lot that he couldn't make any decisions yet about
what WE were concerned as he had the huge responsibility to take care of
Claire.  I understood that without any problem.  I had to admit that I
wanted to take our relationship to a new level, meaning to spend more time
together in our private time.  During this week-end I had discovered the
pleasure of sharing the same bed with Jeremy and waking up together.  I
wanted that to be a daily thing, but didn't want to put any supplementary
pressure on Jeremy.  I could guess he wanted it as well.  He had not
expected to fall in love with me.  He obviously was and so was I.  We had
not pronounced the L word yet, but in my heart I knew it wouldn't take
long.  I am not the kind of person to hide my feelings.  The only thing was
that I wanted to be sure a hundred percent.  Even ninety-nine was not
enough.  We both knew that everything would change the day Claire was not
there anymore.  Unfortunately, we also knew that day was getting closer and
closer.  Jeremy kept me updated with her general condition and it was not
really good.  With the help of the nurse, he could do whatever was
necessary to keep her as comfortable as could be and she had expressed the
wish to die at home and not in an anonymous hospital room.  Jeremy had
promised her it would be like that.

	The strangest thing was that, except for Claire's brother, none of
the other family members, being it from her side or Jeremy's, came to visit
her.  Very rarely she received a phone call.  That was it.  Their parents
didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the situation or was it that they
didn't WANT to see it?  It was not understandable.  I don't like to say she
was dying.  I'd rather say she was fading away.  Came the days she didn't
even get up anymore.  Just getting up to sit in her wheelchair was too much
of an effort.  The nice color she had in her face disappeared as well,
making place for a more grayish complexion.  Even smiling seemed to be hard
for her.  We knew the fatal day was coming closer rapidly.  Jules, Jeremy
and I took turns to be with her, never leaving her alone at all.  We all
adapted our work schedules.

	One evening, she asked both Jeremy and I, to come to her room.  We
were each standing at each side of her bed, holding her hands.  It was
difficult for her to keep her eyes open, but she did, looking alternatively
to Jeremy and I.  She wanted to tell us something...  The words came outs
weakly that we both had to bend down to hear her.

	-Keep together... and kiss... to show me... you promise me that...

	Jeremy and I kissed passionately.  When we broke our kiss we
simultaneously said: "I love you".  The grip she had on our hands faded
slowly.  Her eyes were closed... her breathing stopped all together.  We
knew she was gone and we each shed a single tear.

	The following hours went by in a blur.  Jeremy had to call a
colleague to make up a certificate of disfunction as he couldn't do it
being her husband.  He also called Jules to give him the news.  Not even
fifteen minutes later he was at the house, wanting to spend a little time
with his sister to say goodbye.  Parents from both sides were informed as
well.  Strangely enough, the only thing they asked was when the funeral was
going to be.  They didn't even come by or anything.  The coroner came by
and took away the body and discussing a few details about the funeral.  The
nurse was really affected.  Nonetheless, she did all she could to have
Claire's room cleaned and tidied up as if there had never been a sick
person laying there.  With the help of her husband, they even moved some
furniture as to have as less possible memories in there.  Medication and
other medical supplies were removed.

	I tried to comfort Jeremy as much as I could, but as you can
imagine, there was not a lot to do except being there for him.  Except for
the single tear he shed, holding hands with his wife, he didn't cry at all.

	-Someone once said to me, he said, that crying for someone is a
sign that you regret what you didn't do.  With Claire, I have no regrets at
all.  I know I did everything that was in my power to give her all she
needed, being it material or emotional.  I took care of her as much as was
humanly possible.  Yes, I'm sad she is gone.  The only thing that
alleviates the pain is that I was there when she passed away.  I am not
sorry that she is gone, I am happy I knew her and that she was such a huge
part of my life.  I am happy that she knew you Al.  She told me she really
liked and even loved you.  I am so glad we could make her the promise to
stay together because that is also what I want.  Do you want it as well?

	-Of course I do Jeremy.  So that you know, I don't make promises
easily, but when I do, I do everything that is in my power to respect that
promise.  So that you know, it is the easiest promise I have ever made.

	At the funeral, there was a lot of people.  Nevertheless, there
were unexpected absences.  Both, Jeremy's and Claire's parents didn't show
up.  There was no way we could understand that.  Jules was absolutely
furious.  The rest of his family, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews,
were there but not his parents.  No one could understand it.  They
perfectly knew when that funeral was.  The absence of Jeremy's parents was
evenly not understandable either.  It was their daughter-in-law after all.
Jeremy was more hurt by their lack of respect and education than by
Claire's passing away.  If what I saw in Jeremy's eyes was correct, he had
banned his parents from his heart and they had reached a point of no
return.

	Seeing the amount of people at the service, it was obvious Claire
was a very loved person.  Jeremy collected all his courage and strength to
stand up in front of everybody, holding a little speech to thank everybody
for any show of sympathy, asking them to not be sad because she was gone,
but to respect her joy of life and be happy they had known her.  The
cremation was done in the most strict intimacy: Claire's nurse and her
husband, my parents, Jules, Jeremy and I, no one else.  When it was all
over, we went to a restaurant.  The day had been heavy enough on us.  To
celebrate Claire's life, we started with Champagne.  My Mum started to ask
questions about her life and insisted that we would tell only happy
memories, anecdotes that would bring smiles on our faces.  Everybody had a
lot of good things to tell and it was quite unusual that after a few
stories of Claire's life, we were not only smiling but laughing out loud.
That was exactly my Mum's intention.  Claire, although she was sick and
suffering, always had a word to make people laugh.  It was a real
celebration of Claire's life and we couldn't be more grateful to my Mum to
initiate the round of happy stories.  The last story before we paid the
bill and left was Jeremy's.  He told what had happened just minutes before
Claire died, the promise we made and asking my parents my hand, saying that
as soon a respectful mourning period was over, he wanted to marry me.

To be continued


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