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.
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Chapter 32 Bachelor Parties
The invitations were sent, the church reserved as well as the reception hall. The night before the wedding, Chris, Joey, Justin, JC, Brian and Jessica decided to throw Lance and me a bachelor's party. The nice thing was that they made it one party instead of two separate parties, and they made it an all-day celebration.
The food and drinks were set up outside and we all gathered to open the gifts given and sent.
"The first gift is from us," Chris said handing Lance an envelope. "We didn't know what to get you guys since you seem to have everything."
Lance opened the envelope and pulled out a card. "This is for a one week stay in a honeymoon suite on Night Island. What's that?"
"It is an island off the coast that seems to be all the rage these days. It was all the rage a few years ago, but then it shut down. Just a few months ago it opened up at full speed."
"Since you didn't want to travel," Joey replied, "we figured we'd give you a honeymoon close to home."
"You didn't have a honeymoon planned out, did you?" JC asked.
Lance laughed, "No, we didn't. Thanks, guys. This is awfully nice of you."
"Thanks," I chimed in.
"You'll get your gift from me after you get back," Jessica replied.
I heard the mail truck come and go.
"Hold on," I said. "Let me get the mail real quick."
Lance let me up and I went through the house quickly and out the door to the mailbox. Once I pulled out the envelopes and advertisements, I looked through them heading back to the house. To my utter amazement there was an envelope from Matt.
'Maybe he's changed his mind. Maybe God has helped him accept me.'
Frantically I opened the envelope and found a handwritten letter. I recognized the writing so well:
Dear Eric,
I recently received your invitation for a wedding between you and
another man. I thought I made my feelings clear to you a few weeks ago
in Los Angeles. I do not approve of homosexuality. What you are doing
is wrong. It goes against everything you've ever been taught. If you want
to ruin your life and send your soul to hell, that is your choice. I've tried
to be the good friend and keep you from sending your soul to hell. But
you won't listen. I don't want to have any contact with you if are going to
live like that. Please, do not write me ever again.
Matt
I couldn't believe his words. They cut deeply into my heart. I could feel the tears in my eyes, but they weren't cool. They were hot, intensely hot. The tears evaporated with the anger I felt in me.
"Are you okay?" Lance asked standing in the doorway.
"I'm fine," I said forcing a smile.
"Are you sure? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," I answered for the second time. "Let's get back to our party."
And I headed inside with him.
That night I went out on patrol. I hadn't told Lance what Matt sent in the mail. I didn't want to be the bearer of any more pain in our lives. We had already been through enough; he had been through enough because of me. I didn't want to be the one to have issues surrounding our relationship. It would be unfair to him.
It wasn't long before I saw three punks breaking a window in small shop. I drove the motorcycle right for them. As I neared, I stood up and kicked one. He flew over their getaway car and tumbled to the other side to the street.
"It's the bat!" one exclaimed.
I turned the cycle around and headed back. One pulled out a gun and fired. Reaching into my belt, I pulled out a bolo and threw it. It wrapped around his wrists tying them together. As the cycle drove by him, I kicked his arms into the side of the building. The impact of his wrists on the brick caused him to drop the gun.
I drove the bike down the street a bit and turned. Cutting the engine, I dismounted and walked toward the three robbers. The one I kicked over the car stood with a knife in his hand. The other put on some brass knuckles.
'Good,' I thought. 'I need to work out some frustration. They are not going to make this easy.'
The two came around to the front of the car. The knife-wielder swung the knife at me. I stepped back dodging the attack. As he brought the knife back around, I swung my leg up and caught his hand kicking the knife out of his hand.
The guy with the brass knuckles swung at me. I grabbed his wrist and kneed him in the stomach, then pushed him into his friend. The two tumbled into the middle of the street.
The punk tied up by my bolo knelt down and picked up his gun. He watched as I took out his friends. Then he stood up and aimed at me. I pulled out a bat without even looking at him and threw it in his direction. The bat entered his gun barrel as he pulled the trigger. The gun exploded under the pressure and he screamed clutching his hand.
"I don't like guns," I muttered.
The two thugs in the street stood up looking upon me fearfully. I felt the presence of two dark beings coming down from off the roof. I reached down for a wooden stake ready to strike them when they attacked. What surprised me is that they didn't attack. They moved beside me and looked upon the two thugs.
"We see you found some food," one muttered to me.
"What?" I asked.
"We can tell you're not the Slayer, although it is brave of you to wear her likeness."
"Let's eat," the other exclaimed.
The two thugs took off running. I pulled out a bat with a cable attached to it and let it fly. It wrapped around the legs of one and tripped him.
"Excellent," the vampire said moving forward.
"One minute," I replied. "Turn around."
The vampire turned around and I shoved the stake in its heart.
"What are you doing?" the second vampire exclaimed. "We thought you were on our side."
"Hardly," I replied staking it as well. 'What the hell was that all about?' I thought.
I walked over to the downed guy and picked him up by the collar. "Where's your friend? The one that just ran."
The police were called after I tied up the two robbers. Then I headed after the third thug. One of the robbers was very generous in his answers to my questions, which makes my job a bit easier. It didn't take me long before I found the old apartment building they had been sharing.
I walked up to the door and kicked it. The door flew off its hinges and bullets came flying out of the apartment. I rolled to the side.
"You're not getting me so easily, Batman!" the man screamed. "I won't let you take me alive!"
"You would die for petty theft? That's insane!"
"I won't go to jail! I've heard too many horror stories! I won't let some burly man make me his bitch!"
Then the sound of a single shot rang out.
'Oh God, no! He didn't! He couldn't!'
I ran around the corner and saw the man lying against the wall with the back of his head blown off. He put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
'I can't believe this,' I thought. 'He killed his self. Why? There was no reason for it.'
"What happened?" a voice asked behind me.
I turned to see a tenant of the apartment building looking inside.
"Step away."
"What happened?"
"I said, step away."
The sound of sirens was heard in the distance. Evidently one of the thugs told the police where they were staying. He seemed rather cooperative after I talked with him. I ran down the hall and up to the roof just in time as the police came rushing inside.
"It seemed he would rather die than be subject to a life he didn't want to live."
"I'm sorry," Lance said to me as I told him what had happened on patrol. "That must have been horrible."
I nodded. "I can relate to what Hunter felt when he..."
Lance looked at me concerned and came over to the bed. He sat down and put his arm around me. "Something else has happened. Something with the mail."
I nodded again and this time, I couldn't control my sadness. "Matt sent me a note." And the tears flowed. "He...doesn't...Lance, he doesn't want to have any contact with me!"
Lance put his other arm around me and held me tight as I cried my heart out to him. "I'm so sorry, Eric. This must be horrible for you."
"I can't believe he...You know, I always thought we could work anything out, him and I. We were so open to each other's thoughts and feelings."
"I can't even imagine what you are going through, Love. I don't know if I could be strong like you to deal with it."
"I'm so lucky to have you, Lance. Without you, I have no reason to live. My family is gone, my best friend is gone."
"I hope I worth you continuing on living."
"You are," I said wiping a tear away and kissing him on the lips. "And you are worth dying for. I love you so much."
"And I love you, too."
Lance crawled under the covers next to me and held me tightly.
I woke up in the middle of the night and got up to use the bathroom. Then I went downstairs to the kitchen to get something to eat. As I ate a bowl of fruit salad, I went to the door and looked out.
"Everything seems so fine to everyone else," I said to no one in particular. "Everyone thinks I have it all. But there is something missing."
I looked up at the night sky and thought back on what all had happened. Jessica said she unconsciously perceived me as a demon. How, I don't know. The vampires thought I was one of them, or at least going to help them. And me praying over the water had no effect. Something was definitely missing.
"Eric?" Lance said from the doorway.
"Hey," I replied. "I couldn't sleep."
Lance nodded and came up behind me, putting his arms around me. "We have a big day tomorrow, what with the plane trip to Clinton. The wedding is in a few days and then we go on our honeymoon."
"I can't wait," I replied. 'Maybe that was what was missing in my life. I needed to have this act of commitment between Lance and I to make it all complete.
Lance rested his chin on my shoulder and I leaned my head against his.
To Be Continued...
What an emotional bachelor's party for Eric and Lance! I couldn't imagine anyone having to go through what they've gone through. What trials Eric is dealing with! And there are still more to come!
Next chapter, the chapter everyone has been waiting for: the wedding!