Page 51 of Past Life Lover

Sam tried his best to believe him and put his worries to the back of his mind.

On the plus side, he was getting less nervous around the prince, who popped up often to see Joseph, and called by when he was around. Sam was starting to trust that the demon truly didn’t bear a grudge about being tricked and that Lucifer wasn’t about to appear out of nowhere and destroy them all in a jealousy induced rage over Joseph. He had no idea what sort of arrangement the love triangle had come to and frankly, he didn’t want to know.

He was interested when Zeph reported that Benji was thriving in Hell and had no regrets. Tally had explained to Sam that Hell was more another dimension inhabited by otherworldly creatures, then the fiery pit of suffering Sam had previously imagined.

Tally had also explained that he hoped Benji’s soul would heal in time, that the damage caused by the summoning spell and being caught in between was not permanent and that at some point in the future, Benji would be able to rejoin the wheel of reincarnation. If he wanted to.

That had reassured Sam greatly. Though he knew he would never be able to shake off all his guilt at gaining so much from Benji’s loss. But Sam was still selfish enough to enjoy his win.

Tally’s plan had all worked out well and life felt perfect. Suddenly, Sam was hit with a flash of nerves. What if he was about to ruin it all? What if this was a terrible idea and he should just leave things as they were?

Deirdre walked past him and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Sam smiled his thanks at her and glanced up at the stage. Timing was everything. He needed to catch the moment Tally finished dancing, but before he walked to the front of the stage to collect money.

Sam didn’t really need to watch the stage. He knew he needed to go the moment the song ended, and he knew songs of Tally’s show in his sleep. But that didn’t stop him from being paranoid.

Sam gave his customer his change and then stepped back from serving. The moment was getting close, and he didn’t want to be mid pouring a drink when it arrived.

He nervously checked his ponytail was neat and straightened his clothes. He would have loved to have dressed up, but then Tally would have known something was up and the surprise would have been ruined.

The last notes of the song played and Sam made his move, his heart hammering so loudly that he swore everyone in the bar could hear it.

He pushed his way through the crowd, anxious about missing his moment, but the throng of people parted easily before him, letting him through as if they somehow sensed how important this was.

Sam reached the stage and jumped up onto it, just as Tally had reached the front. Sam grinned, his timing was flawless, now for the rest of it.

Tally stared at him in confusion, clearly wondering what the hell was going on.

Sam pulled the box out from his back pocket and dropped to one knee as he opened it, in a movement he had practiced a thousand times in front of the mirror.

The crowd went wild, and the exuberant noise was deafening. Sam grinned but faltered when he saw Tally was just staring at him, his blue eyes wide and mostly blank.

Sam felt a moment of panic, maybe Tally didn’t have enough of Benji’s memories left to recognize this gesture? Maybe he didn’t know the custom? Sam swallowed uneasily.

“Taliesin, will you marry me?” he said, hoping his words would make it clear.

He watched Tally’s face intently and saw his blue eyes grow even larger before filling with glee and then tears. Tally raised his hands to cover his mouth, and he sobbed, clearly too overcome to speak, but he nodded. Nodded enthusiastically and Sam had never seen a more beautiful sight. The image would be etched into his mind for all eternity. A hundred lifetimes from now, he would remember Tally’s pink hair shifting as he vigorously nodded.

Sam had to prise Tally’s hand away from his face to put the ring on. He felt a glowing pride when he saw that it fitted perfectly. The delicate silver band suited his slender fingers, the gleaming rose quartz matched his pink hair. It was perfect, just like Tally.

Sam tossed the box over his shoulder, leaped to his feet, put his arms around Tally and kissed him deeply whilst everyone in the bar cheered.

It was the best day of all his lives.

The End