Today is Just a Memory: Chapter 3

Gentle Pilgrim

Doug walked into the house, stepping over Jack's dirty pants and shirts.

"Jack!" he yelled bending over, "How many times do I have to tell you! Pick up your stuff!"

Jack's head appeared down the stairwell, "Sorry hon. How was your day today?"

Jack went back upstairs with the rest of his body. Doug heard the sound of baby toys rattling and squeaks here.

"It was alright, we had to renew our CPR licenses, and work on our AED skills. Pretty fun."

Jack smirked, by the sound of his voice, "Wanna practice that CPR on me?"

Doug took off his boots and scaled the steps with ease, "Sure thing," he said, and turned Jack in his arms. He leaned down and passionately kissed him on the lips. Jack's arms slid up around Doug's neck, playing with the little curl on the nape of his neck. Doug's arms rested on Jacks hips, pulling him closer to him when Jack's fingers began to tickle his neck. The two men were about the same height, one maybe an inch taller. So the stretch from both lips wasn't more than planting the kiss on the other's lips. Jack began to feel his full effects on Doug, and the fever radiating from the older man.

i What would happen if I were to throw you down and shag you restless? /i Jack thought.

With heavy panting, and their foreheads resting together Doug pulled himself free from the binding lips of his lover.

"I love you, Jack." He said, with this incredible passion flooding from his heart.

Jack felt it too. "Doug, were it legal, wait, I don't care if it is legal or not."

Jack fell to one knee, his eyes closed. His breath was heavy and labored. "Doug, I love you to 'the tips of my fingers' and to the furthest recesses of my heart. Doug, you are my one and only, and what I want most in my life. I have been with you through thick and thin, and I promise to always be there for you. I want you to be the father of my daughter, legally." Doug knew that when Jack said this, he was very serious.

Many times they had played when their friends were around, and said something about marriage. Jack and Doug would say, "Well, my love, it seems we're the last to marry, what do you say to it?" and the other would kid about and shriek with glee.

Jack continued, "Doug, there is nothing more in my life that I need to complete myself. You are what I need. I want you to be the one sharing my bed for the rest of my life. Doug, Will you marry me?"

Doug's mouth dropped open when Jack pulled from his pocket, a small, black velvet box. He watched as his younger lover slowly opened it and to find a silver band sticking from the covers.

Jack took his left hand and slipped the ring half way on his third finger. "Doug, will you be mine?"

"Yes! Of course!" Doug said. He was relatively speechless at his partner's revelation. He fingered an identical black box in his uniform pocket. "Actually, Jack," Doug also got down on both knees, becoming eye level with Jack.

"There is something I have wanted to give you for some time now, I just wasn't sure if you were ready or not." Doug took a deep breath and revealed his box. "I have loved you since I met you, and got to know you. Remember that party Pacey invited us to? I thought you were so beautiful, so handsome, so..." he drifted off remembering the night he found out he was gay, "You caused me some heartache, Jack." Doug laughed, "But, I'm glad it was you, and that you stuck around me throughout it all. I was so scared, and you were there to help me. I want to be there to help you, and Amy, I love you so much. You wouldn't believe how... free, I felt when I met you. Jack, I would have the world, if you would be my husband."

Jack wiped away the tears from his eyes. "Doug, I will, Forever and forever..." he became choked up at these words, "Damn it," he shook, "I didn't want to cry."

But, Doug's eyes weren't dry either. Doug was the happiest he had been in a very long time. He felt like running through the streets shouting at the top of his lungs that he was marrying the most handsome and beautiful man in the world.

Later that night, hand in hand, Jack and Doug looked in on Amy and went to bed themselves.

"I love you," Jack sighed into Doug's strong, protective arms after a passionate romp in the sack.

"I love you, too." Doug said, before they both fell asleep.

+++++++++++++++

"Can you tell me, Mr. Connor, what Romeo and Juliet find out about each other in Act One, Scene Five?"

"Uh..." Stephen stuttered, "Juliet finds out that she loves a guy who she isn't allowed to love."

"Right!" Jack shouted, "She isn't allowed to love him, because her father and his father are fighting. Can anyone relate?"

No hands went up in the classroom, "Aw, come on, I know you are all Sophomores and you have had to love somebody at least once."

A tentative hand rose in the back, "Um, I once had a boyfriend whom my mom didn't like."

"Good example, May." Jack said, "Any others?"

When no one raised his or her hands, Jack volunteered himself. "My friend once had a relationship that he had to keep secret. There was an older woman in town, and she was well known in the public. She began dating my friend and they were found out. The town decided to fire her from her position and my friend was plagued by rumors for almost two years. This lady moved away and only came back once."

"Which friend was this?" Marcy Jacobs asked.

"Well, if I told you this, wouldn't that make the mystery and intrigue so much less?"

The bell signaling the end of the period rang. "Make sure you read the next act for tomorrow!" he said as the kids gathered their books and headed for the door.

Jack himself was ready to leave when someone approached him while exiting the door.

"You FAG! I don't want to see you teaching our children!"