Chapter Forty Five

The old woman glared at him, then turned and stormed out of the house. As the door slammed behind her, the silence was deafening. David stood there, his heart racing his angry eyes looked at the nurse that quickly ran out of the house. 

He then fell on his knees. He folded his hands at his mother in-law. " I beg of you. Please forgive me. Please. I will always work to make sure that I never ever hurt Clive again. Please."

Bethany looked at David, her expression unreadable. "I can't forgive you." She said, her voice quiet but firm. "Not for this."

"But I want to make it right." David said, his voice cracking. "Please, Bethany. Please let me make it right. Please let me make up for what I've done."

Bethany was silent for a moment, then she sighed. "I don't know if you can make it right, David. I don't know if there's anything you can do to make up for this." She paused, then added softly, "But I don't want my son to get hurt again. You broke him but somehow you mended him. So I will keep quiet about this. But you'll have tell him yourself. And you'll have to make sure that he doesn't get hurt by this. "

David felt a wave of relief wash over him. He knew that it would be hard to tell Clive the truth, but at least Bethany wouldn't be exposing him. "Thank you, Bethany." He said, his voice full of gratitude. "I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure that Clive is okay. I don't want to hurt him again. I never want to hurt him again."

Bethany looked at him, then nodded. "I believe you." She said. "But it's going to be up to Clive whether or not he can forgive you. I can't make that decision for him. Otherwise I don't want you near me."

David's shoulders slumped, and he nodded. "I understand." He said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I will respect your wishes. I just hope that one day, you'll be able to forgive me, too."

Bethany was silent for a moment, then she sighed. "I'm not sure if I can forgive you, David. But I am willing to try." She paused, then added, "But it will take time. I can't promise anything."

David nodded. "I know. I understand." He said. "I'll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. I promise."

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

Clive returned late in the evening. He kissed his mother's cheek who she found sitting in the living room staring at nothing. 

"Mom?" Clive frowned at her. " What's up?" 

Bethany started, clearly having been lost in thought. "Clive!" She said, a hint of relief in her voice. "I'm glad you're home. There's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, mom?" Clive asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "Is everything okay?"

Bethany took a deep breath, and then she said, "I need to tell you the truth about what happened with Ezula and Kenneth. It's not what you think." She had to say this since she remembered her promise to David. That she would let him tell Clive the truth. 

Clive's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? What's not what I think? What are you talking about mother?" 

Bethany sighed. " Nothing." She looked at nothing again. Making Clive worry. 

David rushed downstairs. " You're back?" He looked at Bethany and then at Clive. Thinking that maybe she had told him something. 

Clive walked to him. He smiled at his husband. 

"What did you and my mom go up to today?" He gestured at her. " Why she like that now?" 

David acted like he didn't know anything. "You said we would leave now didn't you? Let's go." He tried to pull Clive to the door. 

" No honey I still have to say goodbye to my mother first."

Clive turned to his mother, concern still etched on his face. "Mom, are you sure everything is okay?"

Bethany smiled reassuringly at him. "Everything is fine, my dear. I just have something to tell you, but it can wait until you come back. Go with David now, and I'll see you soon."

Clive nodded, but he still looked unconvinced. "If you're sure." He said, giving her a quick hug. "We'll be back soon."

And with that, Clive and David left the house, leaving Bethany alone with her thoughts.

Once the car was parked at Clive's house David was the first to get out of the car. Clive frowned and ran after his husband. 

"What's up?" They had just gotten married last night so what was happening right now? 

"Clive I just... Never leave me okay?" David pointed at Clive. " Swear right now! Swear on my life".

Clive was taken aback by the intensity of David's request. He reached out and took David's hand in his own. "Of course I swear." He said, his voice full of sincerity. "I'll never leave you. I promise."

David's eyes filled with tears. He threw himself into Clive's arms, holding him tight. "I love you so much." He whispered. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Clive held him close, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. "I love you too." He said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You got me when I was in a place I never thought I'd ever get out of. And you made me whole after I was broken into a million pieces. You gave me a reason to live when I thought I could no longer. I can't even think of leaving you Dave."

"I feel the same way." David said, his voice thick with tears. "You saved me, too. You showed me that I was worthy of love, even when I couldn't love myself. You showed me that I could be happy, even after everything I'd been through. I can't imagine my life without you."

The two of them held each other close, their hearts beating in time with each other. They stayed like that for a long moment, basking in the warmth and comfort of each other's presence. Finally, Clive pulled back and looked into David's eyes.

"Let's go inside." He took David inside to his house now for the first time. As husbands.

As they walked through the door, Clive took a moment to take in the feeling of coming home with his husband. It was a feeling of completeness, of belonging. He knew that this was where he was meant to be.

They made their way to the living room, and Clive pulled David down onto the couch. "Let's just stay here for a while, okay?" He said, wrapping his arms around David. "We can just sit and enjoy being together."

David leaned back into Clive's embrace, his body relaxed and content. "That sounds perfect." He said, his eyes closing. "I just want to feel your warmth. I just want to feel close to me. " David laid his head on Clive's chest. " Please give me the right to be with you this night as husbands should. Make love to me Clive."

Clive's breath caught in his throat, his heart swelling with love and desire. He knew this was a moment they would never forget, a moment that would change their lives forever. He looked into David's eyes, full of love and trust. "I would be honored to share this moment with you." He said softly. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

David nodded, his eyes filled with certainty. "More than anything." He said, his voice shaking slightly. "I've never been more sure of anything."

Clive's heart was full of joy and desire. " Then we will."

The two of them shared a long, lingering kiss, their lips moving together with passion and tenderness. Clive's hands found David's waist, pulling him closer. David's hands cupped Clive's face, as if he never wanted to let go. The kiss deepened, and they both felt themselves being swept away by the intensity of the moment.

Slowly, they broke apart, their eyes locked on each other. They were both breathing heavily, their hearts racing. There was no need for words, the connection between them was so strong that it spoke for itself. They just sat there, staring into each other's eyes, knowing what would happen next would greatly change everything. Their love would intensify.

Clive gently took David's hand in his, and they stood up together. Without a word, they made their way to the bedroom. The air was charged with anticipation, and the tension was almost unbearable. But it was also exhilarating, knowing that they were about to share something so special. Something that would bind them together for the rest of their lives.

They entered the bedroom, and David turned to face Clive. There was so much love in his eyes, it was almost overwhelming. "Are you sure?" Clive asked one last time, wanting to be absolutely certain that this was what David wanted.

David took a deep breath and looked at his husband. " I'm sure. "