The Rainbow Bridge

For once, their life slowed down to a normal pace. Hans had a lot of free time, because there wasn't anything he was able to contribute to the preparations of the movie, so he spent most of his days working out, reading scripts and enjoying life. Miley had to make a lot of appearances at radio stations, magazines and tv shows to promote her new album, but she was free most of the evenings. Hans had planned to travel to San Francisco in two days, staying from Thursday till Monday morning, to meet up with some of his old teammates from College. He actually didn't feel too excited about leaving Miley, but she made it very clear to him that he shouldn't neglect his old friends because of her. She would have loved to join him, but she just couldn't leave LA right now.

Since Miley was always pretty exhausted when she came home, Hans really got back into working out and intensified his sports program again, which resulted in him almost being back in NBA shape. They spend most of their evenings hanging out on the couch or outside at the pool, sometimes they had friends over for a little barbecue or went to restaurants, and there were a few charity events they had to attend…in other words, life was great. Miley's album had been published for a week now, and much to Perez Hilton's displeasure, there were no indications at all that there might be any problems with their relationship, it actually seemed that they were happier than ever before. And nothing seemed to be able to change that when Hans was leaving for San Francisco.

First thing he did when he arrived at the Sheraton close to Fisherman's Warf was to check in and bring his stuff up to his room. After that, he went down to the hotel bar. As usual, he was the first one to arrive, but sooner or later, every one of his friends would find his way to where the drinks were poured. And of course, it didn't take long for his first mates to arrive. They never managed to get more than 7 or 8 people together, but everybody tried to show up as often as possible. The friendships you built in College were just different from the NBA, and Hans enjoyed every time they got together. As soon as the first drinks were downed, they talked about old times, about sweat, blood, tears, success and pranks, and even tough every story had been told 100 times already, they were still hilarious. At least to them…

The weekend turned out like all these meetings did anywhere in the world. They partied till early morning, spent the rest of the day sleeping, eating and a bit of sightseeing. Every year included a trip to Alcatraz and a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Like always, it was a very fun weekend, and on Saturday morning, Hans was still a bit drunk and missed his girl, so he called Miley. As he already thought she would be too busy to pick up, she finally answered the phone:

"Hey, Miley, how are you? I just need to hear your voice"

"I'm fine" Hans was a bit perplexed, usually, she couldn't stop talking, and all he got now was two words? And according to the sound of her voice, she was far from being fine.

"Are you sure? You don't sound like it?"

„Sure. I'm just stressed, that's all, and I'll see you on Monday"

"Hm, ok. I love you"

"Love you too"

That was weird and so not like Miley. She was usually extremely happy when he called her while being away, but this time, it seemed like she wanted to get rid of him. After thinking for a while, he did something he thought he never would. He called Miley's dad, who picked up after the first ring.

"Hey, Hans here. Got a minute?"

"Of course, what's up? I thought you must have dialed the wrong number"

"Not really, no. Is everything ok back home?"

"Um, why are you asking?"

"I called Miley this morning, and it almost seemed like she didn't want to talk to me"

"Oh boy, that's what I was afraid of. She probably didn't want to ruin your weekend"

"Ruin my weekend? Come on, what happened?"

"Yesterday morning, Floyd suddenly became very sick, and when Miley came back home, it got worse and worse. We drove to the pet clinic, severe liver and kidney failure, they couldn't do anything and we had to put him to sleep this morning"

"My God, but why didn't she tell me anything?"

"I don't know, she said something about you being away on your boys weekend, and you wouldn't want to be disturbed and she didn't want to ruin this for you…"

„Where did she get this crap from?"

"Listen, this has to stay between the two of us, but you have no idea how insecure and damaged she really was, and still is to this day. You haven't noticed it, because you're the first one who treats my daughter like a princess. She has been through a lot in her previous relationships, because she has been used and set up multiple times so these people could put themselves into the spotlight. And in moments like these, everything comes up again, and she's afraid to lose you or push you away if she bothers you with her problems"

„God, I hope she'll be able to stop thinking like that"

"She will, one day. She already made such huge progress over the last weeks, I'm sure we'll get to that point"

"So how is she doing? Really?"

"Not good. Since we're back from the clinic, she's in her room and doesn't want to see anyone. You know, her dogs are the only ones who never failed or disappointed her and were always by her side, which is why they mean the world to her. And Floyd was her absolute favorite"

"Ok, it's 11am right now, I'll grab a bite to eat and be on my way"

"Are you sure? You'll come back on Monday morning anyway"

"Come on, I couldn't enjoy my stay here anymore, so it's not even worth the question"

"That's what I thought. Thank you"

"Ok, I'll see you later tonight"

Hans felt more than a slight sadness, this little Husky had definitely conquered his heart, and now he just died…but the only thing that counted was getting back to Miley as quick as possible. It was a 5-hour drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, so he should arrive in the early evening. He went to talk to Craig, his closest friend from the old team, and explained the situation to him. Craig, proud owner of 3 dogs himself, completely understood the situation and said he would inform the rest of the gang. So he left the hotel, trying to find a diner or a fast food place. On his way back, he passed a photographer's shop, and one of the pictures he showcased in the window gave him an idea. He went inside and had to wait for 45 minutes to get his order done, but he was convinced it was worth the time.

He checked out of the hotel and drove, without a stop, back to LA and to the house of Miley's family. He waited at the door and it was Billy Ray who opened:

"Hey, thanks for coming. I hope you will be able to cheer her up a bit, she hasn't eaten or drunk anything and just refuses to talk to anyone. She's just lying on her bed…"

"Alright, I'll go check on her"

Miley was desperate. Floyd was dead, Hans a couple of hundred miles away, and she felt a burning urge to do something stupid. Call her old friends to go out with them, just numb the pain with drugs and alcohol, no matter what, as long as she could get out of here. She tried to stay strong, but she knew that sooner or later, she would give in.

Suddenly, someone knocked at her door and came into the room, probably her father, she couldn't tell since she had turned her back to the door.

"Just leave me alone, I told you that I don't want to see anyone"

The door was closed again, but she could hear someone walk to the bed. She realized that it wasn't her father, because this person had a different walk, and just as Miley noticed that the intruder was about to lay down next to her, she could smell the familiar scent of Hans' perfume. She felt how he put his arms around her and held her tight. She didn't say a word, she just turned around and snuggled up against him, and for the first time that Floyd had died, she was able to cry. The tears came out and didn't stop, at last she could mourn her little friend. And although she couldn't stop crying she knew, deep inside, that everything was going to be fine.

It took about 10 minutes before Miley was able to calm down, and all this time, Hans didn't say a word but just held her in his arms. When she was only sobbing anymore, he gently stroke her hair and asked:

"Hey, how are you?"

„Better. But why are you back already? And how do you know what happened?"

„Come on, you don't really think I would let you go through this by yourself? Why didn't you tell me on the phone? And, well, after you hung up and I knew that something wasn't right, I called your father, and he told me everything."

"I'm glad you're here…I was about to do something pretty stupid"

"Like what?"

„I don't know, call Paris and the girls, go out, get wasted, it didn't matter, I just wanted the pain to go away"

"Jesus, Miley, if you ever feel this urge again, promise me that you call me first. I will get wasted with you if I have to, as long as you don't call Paris Hilton"

"It's ok, you're here now, that's the only thing that matters" Miley said as she looked him in the eyes.

A couple of minutes later, Hans asked:

"Shouldn't we go down for a bit? I think your old man is really worried, he said you haven't eaten or drunk anything since yesterday"

"I'm not hungry"

"Come on, just a bite. And if you're not hungry, do it for me…please"

"Alright"

So they went down to the kitchen, and Hans could see the relief on Billy Ray's face that he managed to get Miley out of her room.

„Hey Sweetie, how are you?"

"Better" Miley answered as she gave him a hug. Her father looked at Hans and formed a silent thank you with his lips.

Hans just nodded his head and said to Miley:

"Can we go outside for a second? I have something for you"

"Hm, alright. But why do we have to go outside for that?" Miley asked surprised.

„Well, it's something rather emotional, and I think you might prefer to be by yourself when you unpack it. Just take a seat, I'll get the package from the car"

Miley was a bit skeptical, but she went outside and waited at the table next to the pool. When Hans brought in the present, which was shaped like a painting, Billy Ray got a bit curious himself, but Hans told him he would figure it out soon enough. So he went outside and joined his girlfriend:

"Here. Just take your time, I hope it will help you a little bit in your grieving."

He put Miley's present on the table and went back to the kitchen. He supposed that her reaction would be pretty emotional, so he wanted to give her all the time she needed.

Curiously, Miley opened the package, and as soon as she realized what it was, she couldn't hold back the tears. She looked at it for several minutes before she went back inside. The gift seemed to be a big picture, which she put on the kitchen counter before giving a hug to Hans:

"Thank you, it's beautiful. And I really hope it's true"

"Of course it is. And I'm sure that, once the time has arrived, it's gonna be a very busy day up there"

Billy Ray sneaked over to that picture to take a look at it, and even this stone cold cowboy had to swallow when he saw what it was. It was a photograph of Miley and Floyd that Hans had taken at his home earlier this year. They were sitting on one of the deck chairs, and even Floyd seemed to smile for the camera, while his head was leaning against Miley's shoulder. Hans remembered that he loved that picture and had planned to frame it anyway. Responsible for the deep emotions was something else though, a poem that was written and presented under the picture:

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together..."

A bit later, dinner was ready, and while Billy Ray and Hans were throwing themselves at some grilled ribs, Miley made an effort for her two men and ate a small salad. After they were done, she asked her boyfriend:

"Would you mind if we spent the night here? All I want right now is taking a shower and go to bed"

"Sure. I have my luggage in the car anyway, a shower sounds nice though. Just tell me when you're done in the bathroom, then I'll just jump in quickly and come to your room"

Miley got up, gave Hans a kiss on the cheek, hugged her father and went back upstairs.

"Alright, I think you've earned yourself a Whiskey after this long day" Billy Ray said and poured two glasses.

"Definitely, but why 2 glasses?"

"No gentleman let's another man drink alone"

Hans bursted out in laughter and said:

"Very wise. And who am I to question the great Billy Ray Cyrus?"

"Smart boy. Look, I really appreciate you coming back from your boys weekend to check on Miley. I was afraid she would break down and get back to her old habits."

"Of course. If only I knew how to make her understand that she can come to me with this kind of problems."

"Like I said, there's still a long road ahead of us. But we're moving to the right direction. So, how was San Francisco?"

They talked about his trip to Frisco for a few minutes and Billy Ray officially invited Hans to Nashville, to meet the rest of the Cyrus family, and to see the city where Miley and her dad had their musical roots.

A couple of minutes later, Miley came back to the kitchen to tell Hans that the shower was all his now. So he said good night to Billy Ray and headed to the bathroom, while Miley's father wanted to talk to her briefly.

"How do you feel Sweetie? To be honest, I was scared you wouldn't be able to cope with Floyd's death and do something stupid"

"Oh, I was very close. All day long, I felt the urge to contact my old friends to go to a nightclub, get drunk or high, just so I wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore"

"Am I doing something wrong? I mean, it's hard for me to see my little girl suffering and not being able to ease her pain"

"No, Dad, you're not doing anything wrong. I don't know, it's hard to explain, but when we came back from the vet, I completely shut down. I didn't want to feel anything, eat or drink, I just wasn't able to grieve, because I knew, if I would let it get to me, the pain would crush me. But when Hans arrived, took me in his arms…it was like my walls were just torn down, and I was able to release all my emotions. And although I still was heartbroken, I knew that everything would be fine…"

"You know Miley, I barely never tell you what to do or interfere with your life, but let an old man give you a piece advice. You should appreciate and enjoy this relationship, and all the things he's doing for you. Finding someone that awakens all these emotions in you while at the same time being completely crazy about you…that's very rare, and most people never find that one person, and are satisfied with much less. But the most important advice is, be ready to give something back. No matter how strong someone is, there will always be the time where he needs the help from his loved ones. And when that time has arrived, you have to be strong enough to be there for him."

Miley looked at her father, surprised by his words. She was in more than one relationship, she was even engaged to Liam, but they never had a conversation like this before. She had already noticed before that her old man and Hans had a great connection, something she was thankful for. She went over to Billy Ray and gave him a hug and a kiss before she went to her bedroom:

"Thanks Dad. And thank you for always being there for me, even if it's not easy to deal with me most of the time."

"Haha, only most of the time? But seriously, I'm just glad that you seem to be happy again, even if today is a very sad day"

"Good night Dad"

"Night Sweetie"

So Miley went upstairs, where Hans just had finished showering, and they went to bed, both of them completely exhausted. Hans, because of his lack of sleep and too much partying over the last few days, and Miley, because she spent the whole night at the animal hospital and hadn't slept for a second since. And even though she was convinced she wouldn't be able to find any sleep, it took only two minutes for her to fall asleep, tightly hugged by her boyfriend, and dream about a joyous reunion at the Rainbow Bridge.