Everything in their lives had been going well. Ben's scaffold business went from strength to strength, and Al's consultancy took off, so he could ditch the electricians job. Then came the news they had been dreading. Al's Mum's cancer had come back. His Dad was at a loss as to what to do. They converted the dining into a downstairs bedroom. Luckily, they had kept the downstairs bathroom. The next 18 months was an endless round of therapies and operations. Each time she came home a little weaker. Ben, like a second son, shared the workload, even when it came to lifting her to the bathroom, cleaning and bathing her, and changing the bed linen. They never grumbled, but it was a terrible ordeal. Their own relationship was put on hold. They didn't have sex for six months. Dad would come over most days, talk to her and hold her hand. It was a Sunday morning. Mum hadn't really been awake for a couple of days, spaced out on morphine. They were sat round the bed, Dad holding one hand, Al the other. She opened her eyes and in barely a whisper mouthed 'I love you'. She was gone. Even though they knew it was coming, they sat around in stunned silence. Eventually, Ben phoned the doctor and undertakers. The next two weeks were a blur of making arrangements and doing the official stuff. The funeral was kept low-key, no one had the appetite for anything more. Physically and emotionally drained.
Two days after the funeral, they flew to Ibiza for a week. Laid on the beach, just holding hands, Al burst into floods of tears. Ben just cuddled him and let him get it out of his system. They went to bed early, Ben spooned Al, keeping him feeling safe. The next morning, they kissed, the first time they'd kissed properly in ages. Slowly the feelings that had been lost for months returned. They had erections again. They masturbated each other. That evening, Ben made love to Al in the most gentle, caring way. When he had cum, he bent down and sucked Al to completion. Over the coming days, their sex drive came back. The day before returning, Al fucked Ben with such fury, all the pent-up emotion boiling over. He apologised after, but Ben, just hugged and kissed him, happy to have him back.
Back home they got back to work. Colleagues and clients were very supportive. Dad became a frequent visitor and he fought loneliness. The LGBT+ wing of the supporters club held a pre-season disco. They weren't going to go, but Clive persuaded them. During the evening, Al took over the mike. He asked for quiet. Then said how Ben's love and support had got him through such a difficult time. He then asked the Padre if he would do the honour of re-affirming their marriage. To the cheers and delight of the crowd, they retook their vows. Love is love.
P.S. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as it's semi-autobiographic.
