79 years old.

tyler robert joseph-dun was 79 years old when he passed away of cancer.

he was surrounded by all of his family, including his two children, six grandkids, and the love of his life.

joshua did not once leave his side during his battle. he laid in the hospital bed with him, his arms wrapped around him as he pressed kisses to the top of his head.

for three years.

each day, they talked about each week they spent together, all the way from the day they met to where they were at the moment. they held each other, they cried, they made jokes, they kissed, and they loved on each other as much as they could.

every sunday, their kids and grandkids would come and visit them.

oliver gray had married violet elizabeth, and they had three children: augustus, eloise, and josephine.

and winnie rose had married ivy elaine, and they adopted three children: anderson, mack, and scarlett.

the kids would all sit on the bed by tyler, snuggling with him and kissing him.

and on november 18, they all surrounded tyler in his hospital bed, josh holding him in his arms.

"i can't say goodbye, joshua," he sniffled, gently caressing his husband's cheek.

"it's not a 'goodbye,' baby. it's a 'see you soon,'" josh said, kissing his husband's lips.

tyler sniffled and nodded, each grandchild having their own time alone with papa ty for a few minutes. they sat in his lap as he held them individually, listening to them tell him what they dreamed of doing when they got older. he would then tell them ten things he loved about them, and give them one final hug and kiss.

then, the couples would have their time. oliver and violet went first, tyler telling him how proud he was of ollie for overcoming his depression and how he could never thank violet enough for being the reason he got through it.

then, winnie and ivy went. they hugged him tightly, tyler telling the same story he always told of receiving the voicemail from his daughter after she got engaged.

then, tyler and joshua were left alone for a few minutes.

"joshua william dun, you have been the absolute center of my life for over 50 years, and i promise you, that isn't going to ever change," he said. "i can't thank you enough for all that you've done for me. you've loved me and helped me and you gave me a reason to live, and it was the best life, joshua. the best life. and when we see each other in heaven, i'll be healthy again. and we'll do all the stuff we did when we were just a couple of broke, in-love teenagers trying to make their way through life," tyler said, kissing his husband's lips deeply.

"tyler, you're the absolute light of my life. the only reason i wake up in the mornings. and there has never been one day that i didn't love you, baby. i'm always going to love you. always, always, always. you're my best friend, ty. my best friend and my husband. my everything. don't be scared, honey. we're gonna be together again soon. and just think... you'll be able to watch me from up in heaven. you'll see me kissing your picture every night. you'll see me still signing the kids birthday cards with both our names on it. everything, baby. and i'll know you're up there. so, please, baby. don't be scared."

"i love you, joshua william," tyler said, pulling his husband down and kissing his lips.

"i love you more, ty," joshua said.

and now was the time.

the entire family came back in. they circled around tyler, all with a hand on him as he was held in joshua's arms.

"i'll see you soon, baby," joshua sniffled, kissing his husband's forehead.

"i'll see you soon, my love," tyler said, getting lost in his husband's eyes one last time before he closed them lightly, squeezing joshua's hand.

that's when the tears started falling down josh's cheeks. he sang him a song, his own eyes closing as he heard the heart monitor enter one long, drawn out noise.

and there his husband went.

up to heaven.

and already, he was looking down at him.

"don't cry, joshua," he said with a smile. "i'll see you soon, my love.