Creator, I think I would like a purpose. Diefenbaker says into the universe one day when he is particularly lonely. The breeze ruffles through his fur like loving fingers.
And what would your purpose be? The Creator asks and Diefenbaker thinks about it.
I should like my purpose to be to love and be loved in return.
A very good purpose. And so the Creator leads him to Benton Fraser, who needs love more than he needs air and loves in return just as fiercely. They make a good pack, in their home and down in Chicago. Dief keeps the first Ray safe because he is kind to Ben, but the second Ray is the first Chicagoan to become part of the pack.
The first Ray had needed protection, but he didn't need Dief to love him, not like Ben.
The second Ray had needed love first and foremost, just like Ben, and gave his love like Ben too. He fits smoothly and seamlessly into the pack.
Thank you, Creator, for my purpose. Dief says when the pack is on their adventure, watching Ben and Ray finally realize that they are mates. Dief doesn't get a response this time, but he understands.
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The pack has been settled in the Northwest Territories for a while when the pack expands with Lizzie, Benny, Chelsea and Cass. They are soft with him, gentle and the kindest of loves he has ever received. Benny is still small, barely more than a baby when the Creator speaks to Diefenbaker again.
Your purpose is a very good one, but also a grand one. To love and be loved is endless. Diefenbaker thinks on the words as he watches Benny walk to make sure that he doesn't get hurt.
Infinite and infinitesimal. Diefenbaker says as Benny walks over to him and buries his face in his fur while wrapping his arms around him.
"Who you talking to Dief?" Benny asks.
The Creator. Dief tells him. Benny rubs his face lovingly against Dief.
"Dief should stay forever," Benny says and the sparks from the fire in the wood stove sound like laughter.
Perhaps that could be your purpose Diefenbaker. To love for as long as there are those that need love from you.
Creator I don't think I am worthy of such a gift. Diefenbaker says because it is a gift, he will love the people he loves until they cannot love him anymore, a life of love with Ben and Ray, then a life of love with Lizzie, Benny, Chelsea and Cass, then a life of love with their children, and on and on.
There exists no more worthy recipient.
XXXXX
2004
"Dad how old is Dief?" Lizzie asks slowly one day and Fraser frowns as he thinks about it.
"Well Lizzie I'm afraid I can't give you an exact answer, but he came into my life twelve years ago," Fraser says and to his shock Lizzie immediately bursts into tears.
"Jesus kiddo what the Hell's wrong?" Ray asks.
"The average lifespan of a wolf is six to eight years," Lizzie blubbers and Cass and Chelsea start to look a little stricken themselves at the thought.
"Yes, but Diefenbaker is also half dog so his lifespan may of course be longer," Fraser says and Lizzie cries harder while Ray reaches up to rub his face.
"Jesus Christ Ben."
"It's okay Lizzie, Dief's immortal," Benny says casually, like it's a fact and Lizzie's tears slow as everyone turns to look at him in shocked confusion. "He is!"
"Benny why do you think Dief is immortal?" Ray asks.
"Because he asked the Creator for a purpose, and his purpose was to love and be loved in return," Benny says before he frowns and looks at Fraser. "Dad what's a purpose?"
"In some cases, a reason for being. In others something they must do," Fraser explains.
"That doesn't explain immortal Benny," Chelsea says and Benny shrugs.
"The Creator said that Dief would love as long as there were those that love him. That means as long as we love him, he can't die." Ray and Fraser share a wild look.
"I mean not to jump on this train, but when was the last time Dief showed any visible signs of aging?" Cass asks and all the kids turn to look at him. Ray passes Fraser a look of confusion before they look at him as well.
"Dief is immortal," Chelsea says with a head nod and all the kids nod in agreement. Fraser opens his mouth to speak and Cass shoves a finger towards him in a way that reminds him very much of Ray.
"If you can see Grandpa's ghost for years, then Dief can be immortal," Cass says and Fraser laughs.
"Of course," Fraser says with a glimmer of mirth in his eyes.
XXXXX
Have you fulfilled your purpose? Dief lifts his head tiredly at The Creator's voice. He hasn't heard The Creator speak to him since he was given his gift. In the time since then he has loved and been loved by nearly countless generations of Frasers, but now he can feel his purpose coming to an end.
It is no one's fault, but when Dief's current closest pack mate was born Dief knew. Knew that he had been loved and has loved to his fullest capacity.
I have Creator.
Do you still consider it a gift?
I do. Being granted my purpose was the second greatest gift I ever received. He can feel hands slowly petting through his fur and he is reminded of Chelsea Fraser, who had the gentlest touch he's ever known.
Second greatest? He can feel someone patting his nose and he is reminded of Benny Fraser, who understood him better than anyone.
The love was first.
Do you miss the ones you lost? He can feel someone tweaking his ears and he is reminded of Cass Fraser, who was one of the silliest people he ever met.
Yes.
They miss you too. He can feel the press of a kiss on the very top of his head and he is reminded of Lizzie Fraser, who had always kissed before she petted. Would you like to see them again?
Very much. Dief says as he rests his head on his paws and closes his eyes.
"Diefenbaker," Ben says and Dief opens his eyes to see Ben wearing his serge with Ray standing behind him.
"Come on Dief we got places to see." And Dief gets up and trots into the afterlife with his pack.