His body sliced through the water with smooth, even strokes. Back and forth, across the pool he went, drops glistening on his tanned back as he swam his laps. His golden hair was thinner now than it had been 15 years ago, but the ethereal quality he possessed was still there. He still looked like a Greek god - taut muscles straining as his task was completed. Floating to the shallow end of the pool, he climbed out, like Adonis rising from the sea and made his way to the lounge chair under the umbrella.

He picked up his towel and began to dry himself off. It was the same every time - face, hair, shoulders. As the rough material of the towel made its way down his chest, a pair of strong hands stopped it, pulling the towel from his grasp. "Let me do that." The deep rumble always stopped him dead in his tracks and he shivered. A low chuckle behind him let him know that the slight movement did not go unnoticed.

The towel moved down his body, drying every inch of his skin. It stayed a moment longer than necessary here, and brushed against him more intimately there, but he didn't' mind. He never minded being treated like this, like he was a precious treasure that was meant to be worshipped and adored. That's the way he always felt here, the way he had always felt. The towel was replaced with something cool and sticky. His entire body was covered. Looking down, he laughed. The blue sunscreen had yet to change into nothingness and he resembled a fading Smurf.

"Don't want you to get burned." He nodded at the reminder. He took his sunglasses and put them on before laying on the chair next to the pool, carefully covered with a towel to protect his skin. Glancing over, he saw the bottle of water, tiny droplets of condensation pooling at the base. He took a drink, relishing the icy liquid as it soothed him. Looking up, he saw thoughtful green eyes watching his every move and he smiled. "Lunch will be ready in 20 minutes. Just relax till then."

He did as he was told, closing his eyes and letting the sun warm him. This was their routine. It had been the same for…wow…ten years now. That's how long it had been since they had bought this house, their home. At first, they had lived in their own places, then it was a tiny apartment downtown. "Don't need much room. It ain't like we're ever here anyway." Couldn't argue with that logic. But then, they started talking about the future, about their life after the limelight had faded. And they had found this place and fell in love.

A cool breeze caused him to open his eyes and he looked up, watching the clouds float across the crystal blue sky. A memory came to him, the first afternoon they had spent next to the pool. His lover's face had been a mask of total concentration, moving from the pool to the sky. He asked him what he was doing. "Tryin' to figure out if your eyes remind me more of the sky or the water." That was just like him. He was a man of few words, but the few he did say always struck him, right in the heart.

Perfect. That's how things had become. Fifteen years is a long time to be with one person. They had had their share of troubles, fights, breakups - everything you could expect from a lifelong relationship. But they all worked out in the end. Somehow, everything seemed to fall into place, and he was grateful that they always had. He turned slightly in the chair, looking through the glass door into the kitchen and smiled.

It always amazed him how someone so large, so powerful could be so graceful at times. Watching that man was like watching a tiger. Strong yet gentle. He was a walking oxymoron, a contradiction in terms and actions. He thought for a moment his heart was going to burst, just spring right out of his chest. The love he felt for him was overwhelming at times, and yet, it seemed to have been there forever. That was what they had promised each other - forever.

And they had made good on that promise. He smiled when he thought about tonight. It was a very special night. Their anniversary. He had spent six months searching for the perfect present. It was sitting in the garage right now, carefully covered with a blue tarp. He had heard his lover talk about it often enough. And he had carefully tracked it down, gladly paying every penny for it. Smiling, he imagined the look on the big man's face when he finally saw it.

A 1964 Harley Davidson Panhead. He knew enough about bikes to know it was in great shape - just needed a tune-up and a paint job. It was worth the $13,500 he had shelled out. The look on his lover's face would be priceless. "What are you smilin' about?" He looked up into those gorgeous green eyes and just kept smiling. "You'll see." A slight nod sent long hair flying. Back to its original red, slightly tinged with gray now. He wore his forty years well.

Lunch was leisurely. There was no rush with them anymore. No need for it. The phone rang and he answered it. "It's your mom." He handed the phone over and cleared the table, trying to listen to the conversation, spoken in hushed tones with a smile on his lover's face. He turned a questioning eye and got a mysterious smile in return. "She'll be here at 7." Nothing more. Just five words, but those five words held a promise of wonderful things to come.

The school bus stopped in front of the house at 3:30, same as every day. But this day was different. The last day of school, which gave them more time to spend with the bouncy, bubbly blonde haired girl they called their own. She ran through the front door, a whirlwind of energy and threw herself onto the sofa next to him. "Daddy!" She was a perfect combination of the two of them - high-strung energy and quiet introspection. The next hour was passed looking at report cards, certificates and an endless stack of papers, all of them perfect, just like her.

Finally it was time to get ready. He had no idea what their plans were for the evening, other than a quiet night out alone. He loved that about their relationship. It was always full of surprises. Walking into the bathroom, he had to smile. His thought of a quick shower was replaced by the enticing scent of vanilla and sugar wafting from the bathtub. Mounds of bubbles filled the old porcelain tub. Candles lit every surface. Shedding his clothes, he slipped into the warm water and laid back, relaxing. "Want me to scrub your back?"

It was the little things like this that filled his heart with love. The little everyday things that proved to him he had made the right choice. His hair was washed, his back scrubbed, other parts of his body stroked with a combination of strength and tenderness. For the second time that day, he was taken from the watery depths and dried by large hands, gentle kisses promising much more. He dressed quickly, running downstairs to check on his surprise.

He lifted the tarp and stared at the bike. It reminded him of his lover - a strong, highly powered machine that required a delicate hand. Sure, it was a little banged up and rough around the edges, but it still had many years of life left in it. He heard his lover approaching the door and dropped the tarp. The door swung open and he stood there, almost like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His face beamed as the larger man approached him, an eyebrow raised as he studied the tarp. "Whatcha got there, beautiful?"

The smile that creased his lover's face when he revealed the motorcycle was worth every cent he had paid, every bit of work he had put into hiding this for the last week. He was wrapped in a strong embrace, breathing in the scent of the man he knew better than himself. Soap, sun, cologne and that one thing that made him unique, a scent that would forever remain unidentified. But they were a part of him, the essence of him, and he loved every inch of this man.

He tilted his head back and accepted the kiss he was given. The heat coursed through his body as their lips meshed together. He could stay like that forever, doing nothing more than kissing the man he loved. His mind raced with the possibilities of the evening ahead. It was wonderful and comfortable and magical all at the same time. The magic was broken momentarily by the ringing of the doorbell and the squeals of delight from their daughter.

The night air was still filled with warmth from the afternoon sun, but it whipped coolly around his hair as they rode farther from town. He still had no idea where they were going, but at that moment, sitting behind his lover, his arms wrapped around the tense muscles of his hips, he no longer cared. He rested his head against his lover's back and closed his eyes. It was the destination that mattered as much as the journey. But in the end, he knew both would be wonderful.

When the bike rolled to a stop, he raised his head, opening his eyes. He looked at the lake - their lake. In the glow of the moonlight, he saw the blanket laid out on the shore, a cooler in the center. There were candles, waiting to be lit. Hand in hand, they approached the blanket and he lowered himself to the ground. He watched as his lover moved around quickly, lighting candles and setting out their dinner. He allowed himself to be fed, gazing at the stars in the sky as he enjoyed the meal.

Strawberries dipped in rich cream, followed by a tender kiss. That was his idea of the perfect dessert. Soon, the tenderness gave way to something else, something wonderful. They undressed in the soft glow of the candles. Under the watchful eyes of the stars, they made love - soft and slow, with the comfort of years together and the promise of many years to come. The creatures of the woods were the only other ones to hear their cries of passion.

As the moon traveled across the night sky, they lay in each other's arms, whispering words of love. After awhile, he sat up and looked down at the gentle giant next to him. His lover smiled, knowing the unspoken question on his mind. Reaching over, he pulled a small box from the basket and handed it to him. "Did you think I forgot your gift?" Like a small child at Christmas, he tore at the wrapping, removing the velvet box inside. He studied it for a moment before it was taken from his hand.

"It's been 15 years, baby. Fifteen beautiful, wonderful years. There's not a damn thing I would change about 'em either. Not the good, not the bad. You've given me everything I've ever dreamed of, and I like to think I've done the same." His heart stopped for a moment as the box creaked open and the moon reflected off the diamonds set in the golden band. He knew in his heart what was coming next and he held his breath in anticipation.

"I know what life was like before I had you. And I know what life is like without you. I never wanna feel that again." The ring slipped over his knuckle, coming to rest on his finger. He looked up, tears in his eyes. "I love you, Shawn. I think I always have, even before I knew there was you." A single tear slid down his cheek. "Is this what I think it is?" His lover nodded, kissing him tenderly.

"In that case, the answer is yes." They stared at each other, in the moonlight and the warm breeze blowing over them. "I love you too, Mark. And now…" He ran his finger over the ring. "Now you have given me everything I've ever dreamed of." The moon smiled down at them as they lay back, wrapped in each other's arms - and the beauty of their love - once again.

Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when


Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when


Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when


Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when


Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookin' back, it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when


Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had