The Ugly Bear
Date: 7/29/2024,
Categories:
Gay Male,
Author: byWhiteBeard50
... starts yelling, "No, no, no. For fuck sake, no goddamn way."
Pierre, the chef, comes running out of the kitchen, wondering what the hell the ruckus is all about. He takes Bill into his arms to calm him down.Ah, non! he thinks. He knows Bill was expecting a call concerning Karl.Bad news. Shit. Jack on the other end of the line hears the poor guy, and then nothing.
Pierre drags him into the kitchen and immediately calls Alain to come in urgently, like right now. He texts one of his sons to get their asses there as well.
Bill's cell rings and Pierre runs up front and looks for it. He finds it near the table next to the fireplace. He picks it up. He listens to Jack, then tells him Bill is okay for the moment but he's taking it very badly. He assures him that his sons are on the way.
*
Karl dies three weeks later, at home, having chosen, with the consent of Mat, to die with dignity while he could still recognize him: the only love of his life. Mat lays next to Karl, holding him in his arms, while the doctor injects him through the drip tube. Otherwise, only his brother ...
... Xavier, Jack, and Bill witness the proceeding. Mat's entire family, plus all their friends and colleagues are in the other room, waiting silently. A few minutes later, they look at Xavier, Jack, and Bill coming out of the library, all in tears..
Mathieu holds on to his love for quite a while and swears to love and remember him forever.
The doctor puts a hand on Mathieu's shoulder and tells him in a soft, compassionate voice, "Karl passed away peacefully in your arms, Mathieu. An extraordinary gesture. He'll be waiting for you somewhere, out there in the infinite universe. His love for you, Mathieu, is exactly that—infinite. You know that, don't you?"
Mathieu kisses Karl for the last time, gets out of the bed, and leaves. He would have preferred to lay there and die with Karl.
*
After the funeral, Mat leaves for the UK. Karl always wanted to tour England, Scotland, and Ireland.Well, Karl, here we go, you and me. I know you'll be with me, looking through my eyes and feeling through my heart.
*
A year later, Jules, Elena, Chloé and Steve welcome Mathieu back to work.
***