This is a sexually explicit story (at times) involving homosexuality. By continuing to read, you affirm under penalties of perjury that you are not a minor or in the company of a minor and are entitled to have access to this story.
The following is a fictitious story with no real basis or credibility. It is solely for the enjoyment of the reader. Its all just fun. It does not imply anything about the sexual preferences or lifestyle of Justin Timberlake or any other celebrity mentioned in the story.
Previously
Justin smiled, sensing an invisible force around all of them. Justin felt Michael's soul rise out of him, but all his love and beauty still remained.
The other five guys stood in wonder looking at what was in front of them.
They saw a golden glow about each person.
And above Justin they saw a white ball of energy.
That ball started to move, going around the circle, each golden glow absorbing into it, the ball flickering and glowing brighter.
When all the golden glows had been consumed by the white light it hovered above Michael's prone body.
Everyone stood still seeing the light in front of them.
They all sensed what it was.
It was the essence of Michael. The soul of Michael. It was his pure love.
Within a flash the ball descended, disappearing into Michael's chest.
Michael's body lurched, everyone stepping back, breaking the circle.
A loud gasp issued from Michael's mouth.
Justin knelt down beside the bed, looking into Michael's face.
Michael's golden eyes opened, looking up at him.
Justin's heart soared, the smile on his face beaming widely.
"I love you, Jus." Michael whispered, only Justin could hear him.
"I love you more, Mico."
And Justin began to cry.
Chapter 56
Everyone stood around the bed in shock, seeing Michael's golden eyes shining.
They hadn't heard what Michael had mouthed to Justin but they'd seen Justin's reaction.
Justin was crying, clinging to Michael's body, hugging his soul to him.
They all knew in their hearts that Michael had told Justin that he loved him.
Michael's hand rubbed Justin's shoulder, calming him, Justin slowly stopping his crying.
He looked again into Michael's golden eyes.
"I thought I'd lost you, my love. I'd accepted that you were with your family, with those you love."
Michael brushed a tear from Justin's eye.
"You are who I love, Jus. I still need you."
Justin sobbed, Michael smiling a small smile, everyone seeing his apparent weakness.
Michael looked around at all his family, at everyone he loved.
"Thank you all for loving me enough to bring me back."
Vicky was rubbing his shoulder, her tears falling, as were Nana's.
They bent down kissing his cheek, Michael sensing their love.
Everyone took a turn hugging him gently, or kissing him.
Lance and Josh together kissed both of Michael's cheeks.
Michael smiled, seeing their now joined love shining.
But all through this touching scene, Michael's eyes rarely left Justin's blue pools of love.
The two lovers were staring into their souls, talking to each other in their minds.
"I love you, Mico. You are my heart and soul. What you did for me, how you saved me, it's in my heart, your deep love. I love you completely, truly, and forever." Justin said to only him.
"I couldn't leave you, Jus. You are my everything, without you I am nothing." Michael said tiredly in his mind.
Justin sensed his need for rest, to rebuild his body and his soul.
"I think Mico needs rest, everyone." Justin said, smiling at all his friends and family.
Everyone saw their need to be alone together and Michael's need for rest.
Zach quietly looked over Michael's head and body, seeing his friend once again whole.
"Michael, you never cease to amaze me." He said through tears of joy.
"Thanks, Zach. For fighting for me, and for trying to save me." Michael said, looking deeply into his eyes.
Zach broke down, Christina rubbing his shoulders.
It took a few moments for Zach to regain control, Michael smiling at him.
"I'll go talk to the hospital staff, their not going to believe this. I don't think any of us really believe this." Zach said when he'd calmed down.
"Faith is believing in the impossible, Zach." Justin said, smiling at everyone.
Everyone kissed him, leaving quietly, Michael sighing and closing his eyes.
Justin's hands were in his, feeling that connection they'd lost.
Josh and Lance were the last ones to leave.
The two men stood in the doorway, looking at their best friends.
They both saw the deep love flowing through the two united lovers, together on the bed.
"Will I ever have that deep of a love?" Lance said, quietly to himself.
Josh looked at him, holding him a little tighter..
"I already have that." He looked into Lance's green eyes.
Lance smiled as Josh kissed him tenderly on the cheek.
Justin looked down at Michael, looking at his beautiful face.
Michael opened his eyes again, smiling at Justin.
"I can't believe you came back to me, Mico." Justin said, his emotions threatening again to break through.
Michael put his hand on Justin's cheek, Justin touching his hand.
"I told you I'd always be with you, Jus. After I left here, I remember being in a bright light with mom and dad. They both looked at me, and kissed me. I felt their unending love for me. They said that I had to go back, that I needed to come back to you, that you needed my love more."
Justin's tears were falling, Michael looking into his beautiful blue eyes.
"I love you so much, Mico. When I thought I'd lost you, I didn't know how I'd be able to go on without you beside me. I need you so much."
Michael smiled at him, Justin leaning down and kissing his warm lips.
They both felt their own unending love, and Justin felt the love of Michael's parents deeply entrenched now in Michael's soul.
"I'm so tired, Jus. I'm so tired." Michael was fighting to keep his eyes open.
"Rest, my love. Close your eyes." Justin said, beginning to hum softly.
Michael closed his eyes smiling at the song Justin was humming.
The Glory Of Love.
Justin sat beside Michael, just watching his lover sleep. Michael's breathing was slow and calm, Justin sensing his body was starting its slow recovery.
Michael was healing himself, energizing his body and his mind.
Justin sat there, looking at Michael's beauty.
He'd almost lost him again, this time on the edge of death.
Justin had made up his mind. In his heart he'd promised himself and Michael something.
If Michael recovered he would show him a sign of his love for him.
He would ask him to marry him.
He needed to be complete with Michael, complete in their one heart and one love.
And Justin was going to come out, to the world, for Michael's sake and well being.
He loved Michael too much to hide him, to keep his love for him private.
Justin stifled his own yawns, sleep threatening to take over him.
Josh quietly walked into the room, seeing Justin's fight with exhaustion.
Justin had curled up beside Michael, feeling the warm of his body against him, Michael sensing him there.
Josh walked up beside the bed, Justin looking up at him.
"My, my, don't you look comfy." Josh smiled at him.
"I'm right where I want to be, Joshy." Justin smiled at him, a smile of total happiness.
Josh rubbed his shoulder, smiling at him.
"We'll give you some time like this, Jus. Zach is trying to keep the doctors from coming in, but he won't be able to stop them for long. They can't believe Michael's alive. They want to check him over."
Justin nodded, snuggling up to Michael.
Josh sat in a chair, quietly letting the two sleep together.
After about twenty minutes, Lance popped his head into the room, looking at Josh.
"The doctors are coming in shortly, Josh. I think you better get Jus up." He said smiling at the scene in the bed.
Josh got up, gently shaking Justin's shoulder.
Justin opened his eyes, looking around.
"You have to get up, Justy. They're on their way."
Justin nodded, sitting up and stretching. He'd felt like he'd just closed his eyes.
He looked over at Michael, seeing a small smile on his lips.
Justin broke down. He started crying, Josh hugging him gently, pulling him up off the bed.
He walked Justin over to the couch, Justin still crying.
Lance was beside them in a moment, also hugging Justin.
"I can't believe he came back to me. I can't believe he loved me enough to come back from heaven."
Josh teared up, feeling Justin's deep acceptance of Michael's sacrifice and his love for him.
"He loves you completely, Jus. He always said he'd fight to his last breath to stay with you. Well, I guess he'd even fight death to stay with you." Josh smiled at him tenderly.
"Yes, and that's just what he's done. I love him so much, Joshy. I want to show him how much. I want to marry him. And I want to show the world my love for Michael."
Justin looked at his best friends, Josh and Lance, both men seeing his deep committment to Michael's happiness.
"I want to come out, to the world, guys."
Josh and Lance both looked surprised.
"Are you sure, Jus?" Lance asked him, Justin seeing his love and pride in him.
"Yes, Lance, I've never been more sure. I love Michael, and I'll never be ashamed of that. I don't care who knows about it."
Lance hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. Josh did the same.
"Well, we will be behind you completly, what ever you decide." Lance said, smiling at him.
They all looked over at Michael, Justin smiling.
"It's incredible, isn't it. He's so loving and beautiful. He's more than I've ever imagined or ever wanted."
Josh smiled, hugging him as the door opened. Zach walked in with three doctors and two nurses.
They all walked up to the bed, Zach nodding his head at his friends.
"Let's see what we have here." The doctor who was in charge said, Justin seeing that it was Dr. Samuels.
The doctors looked Michael over, Michael opening his eyes when he felt them touching him.
"Hello, Michael. How are you doing?" Dr. Samuels said, smiling at him, with a sense of quiet awe.
"I"m doing okay, Dr. Samuels. It's nice to see you again."
"Yes, Michael. But it shouldn't be nice. You're really surprising the heck out of us, aren't you?"
Michael smiled at him, looking at the man directly in the eyes.
"God takes care of those who have faith." He said, Justin smiling at him, tears in his eyes.
"Yes, I suppose he does." Dr. Samuels smiled.
"Well, you look to be okay, your eyes are a bit dialated, but your temperature is coming up, and your breathing is returning to normal. How do you feel, Michael?"
"Tired, and like a weight is on top of me, pulling me down. I think my energy needs to be recharged. I should be right as rain in a few days."
The doctor laughed.
"But, Doctor, how can someone who had his severe brain damage recover, it's impossible. He should of died hours ago. Or at the very least be severly paralized, or a drooling vegetable." A younger doctor asked, staring at Michael.
Michael stared back at the man, the man averting his steady tired gaze.
"Why don't you ask god, it his miracle, not ours." Dr. Samuels said, tiring of this discussion. He felt too much discussion had been already focused on Michael.
"Michael, you are amazing. Gentlemen, this man has been graced by something other than our medical help. I think god has had a hand in this. Your remarkable, my boy, simply remarkable."
Everyone agreed with the doctor's statement.
Michael smiled at him, struggling to keep his eyes open.
"Let's leave Michael to rest, gentlemen. I'll look in on you in the morning , Michael." Dr. Samuels smiled at him, Michael nodding.
Dr. Samuels looked over at the three men seated on the couch, smiling at them.
"Your friend is truly remarkable, Mr. Timberlake."
"Don't we know it, Doc." Justin smiled.
The doctors left, Zach leaving also, giving the guys a thumbs up.
Justin started yawning, still looking over at Michael. Michael's eyes were closed.
"Jus, you're exhausted. You been up for almost three days. Lay down on the couch here, we'll stay with Michael. He's gone to sleep and so should you." Lance said, his nurturing instinct in full force.
Josh smiled, seeing Lance's caring nature blossoming.
"Okay, Lancy. Thanks, I do need to sleep. You'll wake me if Michael needs me?"
"Yes, Jus. Of course."
Josh had Justin lay down flat, letting him rest his head in his lap, Lance getting up and sitting down in the chair beside Michael's bed.
Within moments, Justin was lightly snoring, his head resting in Josh's lap.
Josh looked over at Lance.
Lance was looking at Michael.
Josh could see the tears in his eyes, and feel Lance's wonder.
Lance was a deeply religious man. What had happened in this room had affected him greatly.
After a few quiet minutes Josh gently lifted Justin's head, replacing his lap with a cushion. Justin stirred a bit but his snoring continued.
Josh quietly pulled a chair up beside Lance.
He looked into his green eyes, taking Lance's hand in his.
"You okay, sweetie?" He asked with deep concern.
Lance turned and looked at Michael.
"I can't believe it, Josh. I can't believe what we saw. I've always believed in the presence of god, but I never imagined I'd see his love so evident. Michael is blessed with god's love, and we are blessed to know him."
Josh put his arm around Lance, kissing his lips tenderly.
"I am blessed with your sweetness and kindness, Lance. I thank god every day for that."
Lance teared up looking into Josh's blue eyes.
"All that's happened today has me so confused. I've seen the deepness of true love, Justin's and Michael's true love. I want that, I need to feel that kind of love. And I'm beginning to feel it for you, Josh."
Josh couldn't believe what Lance was saying.
He remained quiet, letting Lance go at his pace.
"That still scares me, Josh. That you want to love me that deeply. I see it in your eyes now, your deep love for me. Why do you want to love me that much?"
Josh looked into Lance's deep green eyes.
"Because I see the greatness inside you, Lance. I see the deep beauty of your love, it's there, I feel it. It's what I need to complete me. Your beautiful unending love. Let it out, my love. Let it blossom in my heart and I'll give so much more love back to you."
Lance looked deeply into Josh's eyes, seeing his deep love displayed so openly.
And he saw something more, he saw his own love, reflecting back to him. His love was indeed there and he sensed it was what Josh wanted, what Josh longed for.
Lance leaned in kissing Josh, the kiss deep and passionate.
"I love you, Josh." He said, tears on his face and his own love now on display, for Josh to see.
Josh smiled widely, kissing him again.
"I love you more, Lance."
They held each other close, lost in the newness of their blossoming love.
They didn't notice a head turned toward's them, two golden eyes watching them, and a large smile brightening that tired face.
Michael saw the glow around his two friends, the green completely gone from Lance's. His aura was now a rich blue, glowing brighter than it had in a long time.
Michael looked past them, seeing his own love sleeping on the couch.
He smiled, then closed his golden eyes, deep sleep overtaking him.
Michael opened his eyes when he felt a weight on his chest.
It wasn't the weight of tiredness he's felt earlier.
This was a weight of someone sitting on top of him.
His eyes slowly opened to see two sets of small bright eyes looking back at him.
"Hi ya, Uncle Michael." Becky said, smiling back at him.
"Hi ya, bro." Stevie laughed, smiling at him.
"Hello, hello. It must be morning, I see two bright rays of sunshine beaming at me."
Justin laughed, standing beside Becky, his arm around her.
"Their not too heavy, are they, Mico?" He said looking into Michael's golden eyes.
"Not at all, happiness weighs nothing." He smiled at the two happy children, Becky leaning forward so Michael could kiss her cheek.
"How are you, Uncle Mikey? All better?"
"I'm feeling much better now that I have my two angels with me." He hugged her to him, she settling down against his chest.
Justin had tears in his eyes again, Michael taking his hand in his.
"I'm going to be okay, Jus." He smiled.
Stevie crawled off his chest, snuggling up against Michael's side.
"I've missed my brother, so much." Stevie smiled, kissing Michael's cheek.
Michael felt his own emotions on edge.
He wrapped his other arm around Stevie.
Michael looked around, seeing the brightness of the room, and also seeing a lot of people in the room.
Everyone waved at him, Michael smiling back.
Josh and Lance were sitting on the couch, cuddled together, Lonnie beside them, talking to Josh.
Nana and Lynn were sitting in chairs chatting away, both smiling at him.
Randall and Lisa were on their phones, both waving at him.
Michael looked to his left, seeing Zach and Christina looking at him.
"How ya doing, buddy. You've slept for almost eight hours. Feeling okay?"
Michael smiled at him.
"I'm doing okay, Zacky."
Zach leaned down checking under Michael's bandage.
"Man, it's amazing, Mikey. The wound is healing over very quickly. You'll probably not have much of a scar, once your hair grows back."
Michael frowned.
"You cut off my hair? What will Justin do without my hair to run his fingers through. Yours doesn't look thick enough to do him any good."
Everyone laughed, Zach blushing.
Michael twisted humor was back.
"Hey, it will be short like Justin's, you can be twins." Joey said smiling, sitting on the window ledge.
"Nah, no one can match Justin's beauty." Michael smiled, looking into Justin's blue eyes.
Justin bend down kissing Michael's lips.
Becky and Stevie both laughed, Justin beginning to tickle both of them.
"Now you kids, quite jostling around. Michael needs to rest." Lynn said, her and Nana walking up to the bed.
"And that goes for the big kid too." Nana smiled, slapping Justin's head lightly.
Michael laughed gently, smiling at Lynn.
She leaned down kissing his cheek.
"Nice to have you back, son." She said, picking up Stevie.
Michael smiled, tearing up.
"It's nice to be back, Mom."
Justin smiled at Michael's love for his mom. Justin picked up Becky also, giving Michael some needed room.
Nana leaned down, kissing Michael's cheek, and brushing her hand against his cheek.
"Welcome back, my special angel." "Thanks, Nana. Love ya." She smiled patting his shoulder, then smiling at Justin.
Michael tried to get up, Zach pushing him back down.
"You, my friend, are resting. End of story. You're taking this slow. You need to regain your strength, Mikey."
"Zach, you know I hate hospitals, the quicker I'm out of here the better."
"I know that, but you're my patient, and what I say goes, even if I have to tie you down. Got it?"
Michael nodded, looking away from him.
Justin saw this exchange, patting Zach's shoulder.
"He's right, Mico. Your exhausted and worn out. You listen to your doctor."
Zach smiled at Justin.
"What day is it, Jus?" Michael asked.
"It's New Year's eve, Mico."
"Partytime tonight." Joey beamed, Justin looking at him quickly. Joey frowned, and blushed.
"Oh, Jus. I remember you wanted to do something special tonight." Michael frowned.
"I had a special time last night, Mico. I can't take any more specialness." Justin smiled at him, holding his hand.
Michael smiled back.
"Tonight, you and I will spend together quietly, Mico. I' ll have a good New Year's knowing your relaxed and beside me."
Michael squeezed Justin's hand.
"Where's Paulo, is he okay?" Michael seeing he wasn't in the room.
"He's resting, Mico. He's doing well, walking around now. Jake is with him, I believe." Justin winking at Michael.
Michael smiled, apparently Justin picking up on their closeness also.
Michael looked over at Lonnie, smiling at him.
Lonnie walked up beside the bed, looking down at him.
"We all owe you our lives, Michael. If you hadn't of shown your courage, we all would of died. I can never repay you for that gift, Michael. Never." Lonnie was crying, Michael beckoning him over.
Michael hugged him, patting his back.
"I'd do it for any of you, your all my family."
Everyone smiled, seeing Michael' deep love for them all.
Vicky and Chris walked into the room, Vicky smiling widely.
She ran up to the bed, gently bending down and hugging Michael.
"How's my Mikey doing?" She said looking into his eyes.
"Better, much better." He smiled at her.
"Mikey, I... what you did..."
He kissed her on the cheek, hugging her again.
"No words need speaking, Victoria." He said looking up at her, Vicky smiling.
"Hey Chris. How are you bud."
Chris leaned down, hugging him too.
"I'm fantastic. Now that we all see your smiling face."
Michael smiled, staring at both of them.
Michael could see their auras, see what was in their hearts. He practically beamed.
"What are you smiling so widely for, Mikey?" Joey asked from the window.
"Anything you want to share with everyone, Chris?" Michael asked.
Chris looked around, Vicky blushing a bit.
He put his hand in Vicky's, smiling.
"Vicky and I are dating. Well, officially tonight is our first date."
Everyone started hugging the two of them, Justin looking at Michael.
Michael had tears in his eyes. And a happy look on his face.
"You okay, Mico?"
"Yes, Jus. I'm fine. I just feel so much love in this room. New love and unchanging love."
Everyone smiled at him.
Becky tried to climb up on the bed again, Justin helping her up.
She snuggled up again beside her uncle, Michael kissing her cheek.
"If it's not too difficult or allowed, can you tell us what happened here the last few days, Michael?" Lonnie asked standing beside Joey.
Michael lowered his head, Justin seeing tears in his eyes. Becky ran her small hand along his cheek.
"It's okay, Uncle Mikey. We love you."
Michael smiled looking up at everyone.
Alberto and Paulo walking into the room, Michael smiling at his grandfather and cousin.
Paulo walked up to the bed, hugging Michael, Michael hugging him back.
"I guess we're both on the mend, Paulo." MIchael smiled, Paulo crying.
"Michael, what you did. How can I ever..." Paulo couldn't go on.
'You being here now, walking and talking, more than enough, Paulo, its more than enough."
Michael looked at his grandfather, Alberto taking his hand.
"Thank you, Michael. For letting me see my son, for letting me know he was with me, will be with me, always." Alberto was fighting tears, Michael squeezing his hand.
Justin saw Michael was feeling all the emotions around him.
"Michael was just telling us what happened. Please, everyone, lets give him some room."
Michael smiled at Justin's concern, laying his head back against the pillows.
"I saw it all in a vision my father showed me. The death of those I love so much. Justin, Paulo and Lonnie. I realized in my soul that I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't allow you to die. I knew what my choice now was. To stop them , to save you and in doing that save myself. I had to choose between letting Justin die, losing his love forever, or dying myself, with Justin's love going with me. It was an easy choice."
Michael looked at Justin, seeing his tears starting.
"Forgive me, Justin. I loved you too much to live without you. And now I realize you feel the same. I'm sorry, but I doubted that. I felt that you could go on without me. That my love inside you would be enough to keep you going. I thought that maybe I could be your guardian angel, my love forever inside you. I know now I was wrong. God chooses who our guardians are, who helps us. It moves me deeply that you couldn't accept my leaving you, Jus. That you felt the same as I. I love you so much."
Justin leaned down kissing him deeply, everyone remaining quiet.
"It was Daniel's father who shot, Paulo, I saw his face in the vision. Did he get away, Jus?"
Justin looked at Zach and Lonnie, both men lowering their heads.
"No, Michael. Your shot killed him."
Michael lowered his head, tears flowing.
"I never meant to kill him, I just had to stop him from shooting all of you."
Justin hugged him gently, Michael crying into his shoulder.
"We know, Mico, we know. But it was self defense, never doubt that."
"Who was the other man, Michael? He escaped, unfortunately." Lonnie asked, Michael sensed everyone's anger at his escaping.
He looked around at everyone, taking a deep breath.
"It was Paul."
Everyone looked shocked.
"Are you sure, Mico." Justin said, but looking into Michael's pained eyes he could see the truth.
"Yes, Justin. I'm sure. His face has changed, and I know why. You told me, Lonnie, that he was in a car accident, that he burned to death in that car."
"Yes, Michael that was the report."
"He's had some plastic surgery, his face is different, but he's Paul. I think someone staged that accident to make it look like he died."
Lonnie looked at Justin, seeing Justin's deep belief in what Michael was saying.
"Why would he do that, Michael?"
"It wasn't his doing. Someone else is behind all this, and I know it's Uncle Fredrick."
Alberto trembled, Paulo wrapping his arm around him.
"I felt into Paul's soul when he looked at me just before he pulled the trigger. I felt all his hatred. He's been trained to kill, to hurt people. Fredrick has turned him into a killer. As he did Victor Ortez. They all met in prison, I saw that in Paul's mind. He'd found god in prison, and Fredrick turned that to his advantage. He's tricked Paul into thinking he's some kind of messenger of god, delivering justice to god's sinful servants."
"Well he won't be hurting too many people for a while. He was hit by your last bullet, Michael. One of his fingers was blown right off, it made him drop the gun. He ran away after that ,the cops are still looking for him. If I find him he'll get his dues." Lonnie said, Michael seeing the anger in his soul.
Michael closed his eyes taking a deep breath. Justin rubbed his shoulder, Becky smiling up at him.
"Fredrick had Paul hurt you, Vicky. To hurt me. Fredrick wanted Paul to kill you, Jus. Kill you to hurt me. To bring me deep pain and anguish. He thrives on torturing me. It's his goal in life. He wants to torture me until the day he has to kill me."
Michael looked up into Justin's blue eyes.
"I've had it, Jus. I'm tired of living in fear. From now on I'm living my life without fear. They tried to hurt those I care about. I won't let them do that ever again." Justin, and everyone saw the new determination in Michael's golden eyes, and the courage was back also.
Michael lowered his head, then looked around at everyone, taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry I deceived all of you." Everyone looked puzzled.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was going to do with my soul.I gave all of you that devotion, that part is still true. I am still connected with all of you, in the same way. But the morning of the attack, I entered all of your minds, and placed part of my soul there. I had the connection with all of you, it was easy to do. And I hate myself for doing it, for invading your minds. But I knew no other way of saving myself, and it was my only hope. If I had of failed to make Justin see what I had done, I would have become a part of each of you forever. In a sense, I would of remained with all of you, always. That in itself was worth the risk. I hope you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Please forgive me." Michael was crying real tears, tears of shame and sorrow. They all could see that.
Jonathan walked up to the bed and took Michael's hand in his.
"To have a part of you inside me always would have been beautiful, Mikey. But seeing my brother here in front of me, seeing him alive and back with us that's more beautiful than anything else. I have nothing to forgive you for, Mikey. The end did justify the means." Michael choked up, Jonathan hugging him tightly, Michael wrapping his arms around him.
Michael kissed his brother's forehead.
Justin had tears in his eyes, as did most everyone, seeing Jonathan's deep love for his new brother.
"That goes for all of us, Mico." Justin said, everyone voicing their agreement.
"Thank you, Jonnie. Thank you all for loving me." Michael said, looking into their eyes.
Justin looked around at his bandmates, they all nodded to him.
Justin returned his gaze to Michael as they all walked up beside him.
"Michael we all talked this morning about what happened, about what you've come to mean to all of us. We all know your love for our music, how it got you through some rough, hard times." Josh said, rubbing Michael's shoulder.
"Through that music, we want to show you how much you mean to all of us, expecially to Justin." Lance said smiling at Michael.
Jonathan and Becky got up off the bed beside Michael..
Zach took Becky into his arms, Jonathan stood in front of his parents, Randall and Lisa putting their arms around him.
Everyone looked at the five men standing beside Michael's bed.
Justin sat down on the bed, taking Michael's hands in his.
The room filled with the beautiful sound of Justin's voice.
Can this be true? Tell me, can this be real? How can I put into words what I feel? My life was complete I thought I was whole Why do I feel like I'm losing control? Never knew that love could feel like this and you changed my world with just one kiss. How can it be that right here with me there's an angel? It's a miracle
All the men joined in the chorus, looking at Michael.
Your love is like a river peaceful and deep your soul is like a secret That I could never keep When I look into your eyes I know that it's true God must of spent A little more time
On you
Michael listened to all their rich voices, remembering what those voices had meant to him so long ago. What their friendship and love now meant to him. His emotions broke down completely.
In all of creation All things great and small You are the one that surpasses them all More precious than Any diamond or pearl
They broke the mold When you came into this world And I'm trying hard to figure out Just how I ever did without The warmth of your smile The heart of a child That's deep inside
Leaves me purified
Your love is like a river peaceful and deep your soul is like a secret That I could never keep When I look into your eyes I know that it's true God must of spent A little more time On you
Michael was in Justin's arms, sobbing against his chest.
Justin held onto his lover, feeling Michael's deep emotions from their singing for him.
"That song was written a long time ago, Mikey. But in my heart I believe we were thinking of you when we wrote and sang it. You have been a part of us since that day we walked into your dreams. And you'll be a part of us forever." Josh said, his hand resting again on Michael's shoulder.
Michael looked up at the four friends standing beside his bed. Each one had tears in his eyes, looking down at a man they'd come to know and love with all their hearts.
"I love you guys so much, you're in my heart and soul. My love will be yours for always." Each one hugged him, Lance hugging Michael the longest. Michael felt his special bond with Lance.
"We'll talk later, Lancy." He whispered quietly in his ear, Justin the only one hearing it. He didn't say anything.
Michael looked at these five beautiful men, seeing their friendship and love.
Michael felt more loved than he's ever known.
And Michael sensed he'd need all that love on the journey ahead.
End of Chapter 56
A little shorter than usual but I needed a breather after 55.
I listened to that NSYNC song last night and felt it connected beautifully with this part of the story.
I hope you all agree.
Music is the language of the soul.
Read on my friends, so much more to discover on this journey of destiny.
Hugs, Angel.