Sunset Rock
a fanfiction about Ben and Meg in the Stone
Ages
Chapter 11
"Saturday-carnavalfinale"
[Ben's house early morning]
As Meg came down the stairs for breakfast she couldn't believe what she saw. Ben had gotten dressed as "Stone Travolta" and she had dressed herself as "Olivia Newton-Stone". Well it was the latest movie at the drive-ins, so she was just hopening that no one else had done it either.
Ben: You look beautiful!
Meg: Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself.
Ben: No, I thought I'd keep my side of the bargin so that we could enter that contest.
Meg: We'll have to see if we get the time, but it would be fun. Did you see anything of the fridayparade?
Ben: Yes most of it.
Meg: Wasn't it nice? I love the decorations. That's something else compared to the one we have back home every 5th year.
Ben: Yes it is. It's always great to see what they do with it every year. I loved this years theme with so much flowers.
Meg: Yes, me too, especially the one with all white roses. Then I'll hope to be around to see it again some year.
Ben(very quite): I'll see to it.
Meg: What was that?
Ben: Oh, nothing, coffee???
Meg: Yes, please.
They went to open the Deep together. And around 2PM people started to drop in, it should be along day. All of the town was in the greatest carnavl-mood. People cheered and laughed and had fun. Not many weren't out of costume, even the tourist had gotten dressed. Meg had been put in charge of taking in the entering in the couple's competition, and it was more than one that told her to enter herself and her boss. "Well I might" she answered them.(and she did, after having asked Ben if he really wanted to enter)
[The Deep in the evening]
As Annie entered the nightclub around 7PM Ben was stunned. She looked like she could pair up with Mark. The were both dressed like something from "Alladin".
Ben: Annie! You look great!
Annie: Thank you brother dear.
Ben: You could pair up with Mark and enter the contset for the best couple.
Annie: I hope Mark's already entered us. And you, will you compete together with Meg?
Ben: As a matter of fact I am...but......Have you and Mark planned this?
Annie: Yes, since a week back I think.
Mark came up to them and placed a light kiss on Annie's cheek.
Mark: Hi dear!
Annie(blushed): Hi!
Ben: ....what's up here? Are the two of you...???
Annie: Yes, we are seeing eachother.
Ben: But...oh! What shall I do, I can't leave you at Bette's until you start dating.
Annie: We've had this going on for a long time, but as we lived so far apart we didn't know what to do.
Mark: I hope you don't mind?
Ben: Don't mind!?
Mark: Calm down!
Ben: Sorry! I didn't mean to snap, but since you've hide this I'm not exactly thrilled, but I know you're a good man Mark, not that anyone could be good enough for my sister.
Annie: Stop it, you're starting to sound like out father.
Meg came up, she had heard it all.
Meg: But Annie, I can say that an overprotective brother is worse. I remember Sam when I first started to date Tim. Luckily he warned me off in some ways. I don't regret those days, but I'm happy I didn't....
Annie: Hey, hey stop it girl, we're in public.
Meg(blushed): Oh, I forgot! It felt like we had one of our usal talks there. Anyway it's great to finally see the both of you together.
Ben: Finally? Do you mean you knew about this?
Meg: Sorry!
Ben: No, I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you.
Mark: Well Meg, it seems like we better go back to work before he snaps at us for that too.
Ben: I told both of you that I'm sorry!
Mark and Meg: And you're forgiven!
Chapter 12
"The competition"
As all the couples for the competition were put up on a list at 7PM the voting started. As counter for the votes Gregory Richards had been pointed out. He's a highly respected man in the community, so the counting should go right.
At 9PM it was time to announce the winners. Just before the local rockband "Tina and the Stone Rockers" should enter the stage.
Gregory: Can I have everyone's attention please. Thank you! I've got the results here and it's a close result this year. But there's a winner. Do you wanna know?
The crowd: YES!!!!!
Gregory: Well I have to announce the runnerups first. As second runner up......Paula and Ricardo Torres! The lovely Spansih dressed couple! Are they here! Come up and get your ticket for a free dinner at well...this place!
Paula and Ricardo came to get their price.
Gregory: Are you ready to hear the first runner up? the crowd cheered again. Well let me introduce to you Annie Evans and Mark Wopler, the couple from Alladin. You win a dinner at the Stoner's. And now....the winnner, may I have the drums?
Everyone held their breath. "I don't know I ever had such a silence here, without the place being empty" Ben thought to himself.
Gregory: It's a pleasure for me to introduce this years winner of the Sunset Rock's yearly carnaval couples masqurade. It's........from the latest movie at the drive-ins according to my daughter Caitlin. -Ben Evans and Meg Cummings!(no surprise to us, or?/tina) as Olivia Newton-Stone and Stone Travolta!
As the crowd cheered Ben turned to Meg, they were both standing behind the bar.
Ben: Come honey, let's go get our price.
Meg just stopped.
Ben: What's up? Are you shy?
Meg: No, but what did you say?
Ben: Honey?
Meg: Yes, that's what I thought!
Ben: And...
Meg: Let's go sweetie, we've got a crowd to face!
People congratulated, cheered and patted them on the back as they made their way to the stage. They got up and got a ticket for dinner at Sunset Rock's most expensive restaurant "the Rock".
Gregory: Once again, congratulations. Now I guess that we all want to see the winners start tonights dance. I know that the band have a new song for this occation. Everyone please make room for Ben and Meg and give a warm welcome to "Tina and the Stone Rockers" and their new ballad "Sunset Beach"
Ben and Meg went out on the floor and started to dance. They soon made a sign to the other winners to join them and they did.
The festivites went on all night and at 3AM it was time to close. Ben and Meg walked in silence back together an hour later. The night was warm and it had been all week. When they came nearer home:
Meg: What a night? I don't know if I've ever seen so many people enjoying themself at the same time.
Ben: Yes, it's been great, I think we've had more guests this year than the last. Are you tired?
Meg: Not really.
Ben: Let me fix us a drink and we can sit and relax a bit on the terrace.
Meg: Sounds good, but I'll settle just for a glass of orangejuice.
Ben: But with a little twist of this? he held up an opened bottle of champange.
Meg: Where did that come from?
Ben: I had to open it to sell a few glasses, and I thought that it would be a waste to poor it out, after all it's paid for.
Meg: Ok, just a little twist then, there's one day tomorrow too, or really today.
They both laughed and Ben went inside the glassdoors and fixed the drinks! They sat outside for about half an hour enjoying their drinks, before they both went upstairs for their ritual(when they both worked late/author's note)
Meg: Good night then.
Ben: Good night you too, and thank you for todays work.
Meg(laughingly): You're welcome.
They both went into their bedrooms and closed the door. Both of them lent against it and thougth to themselves."She/He didn't say anything more" thinking of the whole honey/sweetheart thing.
Chapter 13
"The dinner"
Meg woke up around 11PM and went straight down the stairs to start preparing dinner. When she opened the cupboard to get her coffee mug she saw a note attached to it.
Good morning, Sunshine
I've gone to meet with the cleaners at the Deep. I didn't want to wake you. See you soon.
Love, Ben
Meg smiled. She brought her mug out and poored herslef some coffee. She went over to the fridge to see that she didn't have to go buy anything else today. No, everything's here. She had planned to start with a scrimptoast. And then a roast, " it taste so good when it's cooked in Ben's stonestove, I guess it's because it's newer than mom's" she tought. As dessert....well let's see what kind of cake I can make, I better start that right away.
After having put the roast in the oven she went upstairs to put on a dress. She had bought a new one that day she and Annie went shopping. It was a pale blue long dress. It was a bit slimmed, but Meg loved it. It was a part of the new her. As was the hairdo, she just put it up with those stonecombs she loves so much. As she goes downstairs again to start setting the table Ben walks thru the door. He's stunned by the lady comming down his stairs.
Ben: You look lovely Meg. The colour suites you.
Meg(blushing): Thank you.
Ben: You said that I didn't have to fix anything, but on my way home I went by the square and I couldn't resist these, he held out a box of strawberries.
Meg: Oh, they look great, I can put them as decoration on my cake.
Ben: And this! he held out a bouquet of white roses.
"There must be at least 20" Meg thought, out loud she said: White roses, I just love white roses.
Ben: I remember you saying that yesterday.They're for you.
Meg: For me? Why?
Ben: Just for being you. Meg blushed again.
Meg: Oh! I have to go see to the roast.
Ben: Hey! Bring these he again handed her the roses. Put them in water.
Meg: I will, she said as she rushed to the kitchen.
Dinner went well and everyone told Meg what a great job she had done. Derek and Maria were the first to leave. Maria was tired, not surprising, she had about a month left on her pregnancy. And little Eliza had been running around the house all afternoon. Annie, Mark, Bette and Emily all left at the same time and that left Ben and Meg to themselves.
Meg: I better get started with the dishes. I've got alomst a mountain in the kitchen.
Ben: Well let me help you.
Meg: If you like to, be my guest!
As Meg started the washing up Ben went out and in the kitchen with the stuff from the coffee. As all were in the kitchen he started to dry and put things away. They were almost finished when he couldn't help himself but went up to Meg who stood with the back at him and put his arms around her waist.
Ben(whispered): Thank you.
Meg turned around starrtled: For what?
Ben: For making this dinner for my sister. He still had his arms around her.
Meg(a little embarresed): Well she's my best friend, it's nothing to it.
Ben leant down to her face and kissed her lightly on the lips.
Meg: What was that for?
Ben: For you being you. I hope you don't mind, I've wanted to do that for a long time and it took all my strength and then some more not to kiss you last night when we won the contest.
Meg: I don't mind at all. She looked lovinly into his eyes, just as blue as she remembered. They kissed again, this time Meg answered the kiss.
Ben(as he broke the kiss): We better finish up here. The dishes I mean.
Meg: That was what I thought. They both laughed.
They finished up in the kitchen and then they took some more coffee with them and sat down to watch the sunset on the terrace. It was a lovely sunset and soon Meg felt Ben's hand in hers. She squeezed it back lightly and they sat there for hours until Meg started shiver.
Ben: Are you cold?
Meg: A little.
Ben: Maybe we'll go inside instead.
Meg: I think I'll get to bed, it's been a long weekend and I'm working in the café tomorrow.
They both went inside and Ben turned the lights out before they both hand in hand went upstairs. Meg started to giggle.
Ben: What's so funny?
Meg: I feel a deja vú here.
Ben: What?
Meg: Don't you remember 17 years ago back in Ludgrey. I was at a sleepover at Annie's. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep so I went down to have a glass of milk and when I couldn't open the fridge I started to cry.
Ben: I do remember. I was up studying when I heard you cry and went to help you.
Meg: And when you walked me upstairs, I put my hand in yours.
Ben: And you looked so cute(he had a flashback) just as you look beautiful today. All grown up.
Meg blushed again, she wasn't used to get so many compliments. That was a thing Tim never had been good at. He had brought her flowers from time to time, but never white roses, and Ben had already brought her such (but not for the last time/tina). They arrived upstairs and as they were to part outside their bedrooms Ben pulled Meg close to him and kissed her again. When they finally parted they both had to catch their breath.
Meg: Good night then.
Ben: Good night, it's been a great day! Thank you again for fixing this dinner.
Meg: Well thank you for letting me, and for letting me stay here.
Ben: It's just my pleasure.
Chapter 14
"Dating"
Annie started school and was really enjoyig it. She had a lot of supporters in her family, her best friend and of course Mark. She also worked at the Deep from time to time. She and Mark usally put on quite a performance when they both worked behind the bar mixing drinks. When they did that the most sold drink of the night was "MAKiss", what it contains is a secret even to Ben, but they always sealed the performance with a kiss(MarkAnnieKiss).
Usally Ben wasn't that thrilled about love at work but this time he couldn't say anything, he was so totally in love himself-with Meg of course. Thier relationship grew deeper by the day, it could be called sweet. They tried to take the time to have dinner together every day. If Meg wasn't working she had dinner ready at home and if she was working they ate at the Deep.
When they both worked late they always walked back home and whenever they got a chance they stopped to kiss. If Meg was home earlier than Ben and already had went to bed he went into her bedroom to kiss her on the cheek or on her head. Sometimes she wasn't asleep and turned to get a "real" kiss, Ben usally blushed then just like a kid getting caught with his hand in a cookiejar.
But he was a man in love, maybe for the first time in his 32 year old life. Sure he had loved Cassandra, but never really felt in love with her, not as he did with Meg.
"Family meeting"
As Maria just given birth to her and Derek's son Elliot and it was starting to get near Thanksgiving Ben had some ideas and he presented them to Meg og breakfast one morning.
Ben: Meg, honey?
Meg: Yes sweetie.
Ben: What would you say about inviting our families for Thanksgiving dinner.
Meg: But we had them over just the other day.
Ben: No, I meant to get our parents here.
Meg: Oh! That would be great! I haven't seen mom and dad since I came here. I really miss them.
Ben: I know you do, that's why I thought we'd celebrate Thanksgiving here, and it would be easier for Derek and Maria too.
Meg: Maybe we could have it at the Deep, there's a bigger kitchen to cook in, I know that our mother's won't stay out of cooking even though they don't have to.
Ben: They certainly won't so the Deep is a great place ot have it. I'll start the arragements this afternoon, I'll be at the office there then.
Meg: I'm having the day off and I've asked Mark to close up the Deep tonight.
Ben: Why's that?
Meg(pretending to be hurt): Don't you know which day it is?
Ben(puzzled): No?
Meg: It's exactly 3 months since we won the contest.
Ben: How ever could I forget? Don't answer that! I have it! It's the fact that every day with you are so special.
Meg: Oh! You're so sweet. She leant over to kiss him.
Ben broke the kiss: I'm sorry but I really have to go, especially if you like to have me home for dinner.
Meg: I do.
Ben: By the way, feel free to call you parents(a lot of people had gotten stonephones now, the Cummings where ones as they had their daughters in to end of the country/tina)
Meg: Shall I call Hannah and Jonathan too?
Ben: If you get the time?
Meg: Get the time? Well I've got a very generous boss that sees to it that I have two days of the week, so today I've got nothing to do I did tidy the house the otehr day.
They both laughed and started to clear the table. Ben went up to his study to get his things and when he came downstairs he kissed Meg goodbye(which took about 10 minutes/authors note) as always.
Meg did a few chores in the house and then she went out to by something to have as dinner. She went to the square as well and got some strawberries as desert, Ben loves strawberries she said to the salesman. When she came home she sat down in the study to call her parents. They should be in about now after having done the morningchores.
- Joan Cummings!
Meg: Hey mom! It's me, Meg!
Joan: Hey sweetie.(she turned away from the phone) Hank it's Meggie!
Meg: Mom?
Joan: I'm here! I just got so excited to hear from you! Here's your father!
Hank: Hi Meggie!
Meg: Hi dad, how are you?
Hank: Great! And you?
Meg: I'm great dad! Can you put mom back on?
Joan: Hi again! How are you doing, how's work, how's Annie, Ben(she didn't know about them dating yet/author's note), Derek and the others?
Meg: They're all fine and Ben said this morning that he thought it be great if you and Hannah and Jonathan would like to come here for Thanksgiving. It's a bit for Derek and Maria's sake as they don't want to travel with Elliot.
Joan: That would be great! Let's see if we can make the arragements for the farm. I think that Sam and Tim can manage.
Meg: So Tim's still there. Is it wokring out?
Joan: Yes it is. He and your father had a long talk. They're not that close anymore, but Tim's a good worker.
Meg: Mom, I'm sorry but I have to go! I'm calling Hannah and Jonathan as well.
Joan: Can't Ben do that?
Meg: He could, but he's at work and I said I could do it so the four of you can arrange the actually travel alredy tonight, because I know that as soon as the day's over you'll pop over to Hannah and start planning.
Joan: You know me too well, love.
Meg: And mom, yes you and Hannah are allowed to help prepare the dinner.
Joan: See you in a couple of weeks then.
Meg: Yes, bye! Give my love to the others.
Joan: You too. Bye!
Meg hang up, she hadn't told her mom about her and Ben this time either. What if they didn't approve and had her to move out, it had to wait she decided as she dialed the number to the operator and again getting connected to the Ludgrey phonecentral, asking for the quarry. She knew that both Hannah and Jonathan were there.
It was almost the same conversation there, besides:
Hannah: So, how are the two of you?
Meg(blushed although she knew Hannah couldn't see her): OK!
Hannah: Just ok, I thought the two of you had something "going on" as you kids puts it.
Meg: Oh! I..... we do, but I haven't told my parents yet.
Hannah: Don't worry, I won't either, and I promise to look surprised when we "find out" at Thanksgiving.
Meg: Thanks, was it Annie that told you?
Hannah: No, I haven't talked to Annie in weeks, she's too busy studying.
Meg: Yes she is, she's really into it, I just wish I had something like that to do too.
Hannah: But you have your work, and if everything goes well you don't have to work for very long.....I mean if you don't want to.
Meg(blushed again): Well, let's see....but who told you then, Bette? Derek? Maria?
Hannah: No one.
Meg: No one????
Hannah: Well, I could hear that soemthing was up when I last talked to Ben, he didn't confess to it, but I knew. I'm so happy for you and so is Jonathan. And again, don't worry, we won't tell.
Meg: Thanks again. I gotta go get dinner started.
Hannah: It sounds to me that you're looking after my little boy(Derek was born a couple of minutes before Ben/tina)
Meg: I try...bye!
Hannah: Bye and say hello to the others.
Chapter 15
"Dinner"
Meg set the table with candels and the best china, made the dinner and when she was finished with all that, she went upstaris to shower and put on her favorite dress, the red one she had had the first night she'd been to the Deep.
As she was making the final arragements in the kitchen Ben entered the house thru the open terracedoors. The first thing he saw was the setting of the table and thought that the flowers he'd brought would look lovely there too. He heard that Meg was in the kitchen so he "sneaked" in there and put one arm around Meg's waist and handed her a big bouquet of white roses with his other hand. Meg turned around a bit puzzled.
Ben: Happy 3 months.
Meg: Oh Ben! Thank you! I didn't hear you come in.
Ben: I came thru the terracedoors. The setting of the table looks lovely, as do you.
Meg: Thanks, and these roses will do perfect there.
Ben: Do I have time for a quick shower?
Meg: Yes, dinner's about 15 minutes away.
As Ben came downstairs again Meg had just brought the dinner to the table. They ate and talked and after finishing it Meg went out in the kitchen to get desert. When she came back with a big bowl of strawberries Ben couldn't help himself.
Ben: Strawberries!!!! I just love strawberries.
Meg: I know, I remember back when me and Annie had our sleepovers at her's and you and Derek were home from school we had to be very quick if we wanted any from the fruitbuffet at breakfast. They both laughed.
Ben: Well, you have to admit it's a great fruit and it taste lovely.
Meg: It does.
Ben: Did you call your parents?
Meg: Yes and they are coming if Sam could take care of the farm for the weekend. And your parent's are coming aswell.
Ben: Great. Did you tell Joan and mom that they were allowed to help with the cooking. He laughed.
Meg: I did and they will, I guess they hadn't been able to keep their hands off anyway. By the way, your parents knows about us.
Ben: How could they?
Meg: That was what I asked Hannah too. And it was not Annie, Bette, Derek or anyone else but you!
Ben: Me?
Meg: Yes, she said she had heard it on your voice and that you hadn't denied it.
Ben: But I didn't confirm it either, did you?
Meg: I guess I did, she sounded like you had.
Ben: Well, it's nothing to deny, is it?
Meg: No, and I told her not to tell my parents. I want to tell them when they get here.
They had strawberries and then they moved over to the sofa to sit and talk more comfortable while they had their coffee. It didn't take very long before they sat very close and started to kiss eachother. The kisses came to be deeper and longer. Hands also started to wander around and suddenly Meg stopped it.
Ben( a bit sad): Did I do anything wrong?
Meg: No, not at all, I just don't want to.....
Ben: I'm sorry if I went to far.
Meg: You didn't it's just that.....
Ben(stood up and took her hand): Let's go get some sleep instead, we'll talk about this another time, when you feel ready.
Meg: Thank you, you're just so great and understanding. Tim always became angry when I broke it off.
Ben: Tim didn't deserve you, that's just how it is. If you don't want to, we won't do anything.
They went upstaris and before the could get into their rooms they had to kiss some more. After a few more of those deep kisses they parted. When they had closed their doors they both leant against them smiling happily.
"The next day"
[Ben's café]
Meg was working this morning. The sun was shining and nothing could get her down this day. Dinner had went well yesterday and when she had come downstairs this morning she had found Ben in the kitchen doing the last washing up. "It's the least I can do after you making the dinner" he had said. They both had breakfast together and then on her way out she had gone by the roses to smell them. She still could feel that smell altough there were so many other smells in the café: coffee, people's perfumes and then the cooking. As Annie came in Meg stood at the counter smiling.
Annie: Hey girlfriend!
Meg(looked up): Hi Annie! How are you?
Annie: Great, and you seem to feel great too. What did my brother do to you?
Meg: Nothing. We just had dinner and he brought me roses.
Annie: White ones?
Meg: Of course! He knows I love them, not like that looser Tim, he never understood that.
Annie(laughing): Well it's great to see you smiling. You've done that a lot lately, for....
Meg: Three months.
Annie: Oh! That was a quick count.
Meg: Yesterday was three months ago we won the contest.
Annie: Well that explains why Mark was in charge of locking up the Deep last night.
Meg: But you didn't mind that at all, did you?
Annie: No, that makes us spend more time together.
Meg: May I ask you a personal question?
Annie: Always! What are best friends for?
Meg: Have you and Mark...done? I mean made it?
Annie: Yes, did you and Ben....last night?
Meg: NO! I mean I guess we almost were about to, but I stopped it.
Annie: Good for you, you shouldn't if you don't feel comfortable with it.
Meg: And Ben was so nice to me, he said he didn't want to do anything to hurt me. I don't know if I wanna before I've married.
Annie: It's all up to you.
Meg: Do you wanna get married?
Annie: Of course. We've already start to talk about it a bit. Mark also knows that I want to finish school and work as a lawyer.
Meg: Mark's good for you. But if you marry before you've finished school, will Jonathan keep on paying for you're school or do you and Mark have to work that out yourself?
Annie: I guess daddy will pay, but I thought I'd talk to him about it when they get here for Thanksgiving. Otherwise I guess it will take a few years before we'll get married.
Meg: And if Jonathan will keep on paying?
Annie: I guess we'll marry as soon as possible. I just have to wait for Mark to propose.
Chapter 16
"Thanksgiving"
[Sunset Rock's airport]
As Ben and Meg were waiting for their parents to arrive they couldn't keep their hands of eachother. And since it now was kind of offical that they were seeing eachother they didn't mind if they kissed in public-after all they are in love.
When Hank and Joan, Hannah and Jonathan got of the plane they almost at once spotted Ben and Meg. They stood there kissing eachother. Hank turned red(of anger) at once!
Hank: What's this?!
Joan: Hank, calm down!
Hank: Calm down, I trusted Ben to look after my daughter, not to "move in" on her. Jonathan! What do you have to say about this.
Jonathan: Well....I didn't know about it either. But I can't say I'm sorry, Meg's always been like family to us.
Hank: But, you know how she was hurt by Tim, you can't say you approve of your son "moving in" on her this quickly.
Meg and Ben had parted and seen their parents, not knowing they had seen them kiss. They started to walk towards them, but Meg couldn't keep herself calm, she started to run to hug her parents.
Meg: Mom, Dad! There you are! I'm so happy to see you!!
Joan: Hi sweetie. We're happy to see you too.
As Meg hugged her father she felt that something was wrong.
Meg: Dad, what's up? Is it something with Sara?
Hank: NO! Not at all, it's about you.
Meg: ME?
Hank: I saw you back there just a minute ago. What were you up to kissing Ben like that in public.
Meg(embarrest): I was supposed to tell you about it, I just didn't know how and when, and I didn't want to tell you over the phone.
Joan: But you know you could have.
Meg: I guess I was a bit afraid of you telling me that I have to move out, so....
Hank: You really should have!!
Ben: Now Hank, I want you to listen to me.
Hank: Well look who's talking!
Jonathan: Hank, calm down, I won't have you speaking to my son like that, but..(he turned to Ben) I also want to hear what you have to say.
Ben(looking hurt): Well thank you for letting me. I do love Meg with all my heart and I guess that I've always done that, but before she only was Annie's best friend. I've just realized that she is the love of my life. I've never felt like this for anyone, not even Cassandra.
Hannah: Go on son.
Ben: And though we live in the same house me and Meg we've always kept to ourselves(now he got a bit embarrest after all he was standing in front of Meg's parents as well as his own). What I mean is that we have seperate bedrooms, and I wouldn't even think about having it any other way.....until we're married.
Hank: So you got that in mind?
Joan: Hank, stop it, you're only hurting them. Now I want us to get out of here.
Hannah: Me vtoo. I'd like to freshen up a bit and most of all I want to go meet my new grandson.
They all left the airport. First they went to Derek and Maria's so that they all could meet Elliot. Hannah and Jonathan was staying there for the weekend since Bette's place wasn't that big. Ben, Meg, Hank and Joan then went on "home". When they gor there and Ben had taken their overnightbags upstairs to the guestroom next to Meg's he excused himself and went to the Deep. After all it was Friday afternoon and they should have the club closed for their private party tomorrow. He really had to be there, and then Meg could get a chance to talk to her parents.
As Joan had calmed Hank down while they unpacked they came downstairs. Meg had the coffee ready and she even had made a cake in the morning, but she didn't look happy.
Joan: Sweetie, what's up?
Meg: Nothing, she smiled but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Hank: There's something going on. Is it me?
Meg: Well......
Hank: I'm sorry! It was just that you sprung it on us. You know we love Ben as a son, just like we love his brother and sister. And in the same way we know that Hannah and Jonathan loves you and your brother and sister.
Meg: Thank you dad! I know I should have told you, but I really didn't know how. Let's have some coffee, and then we can go eat dinner with Ben at the nightclub. I know Annie's working tonight, so she can join us too when she's got a break.
Joan: Sounds good, I'd like to see a bit of the town as well.
They had coffee and then they went out for a walk on the town, finishing it off with an early dinner at the Deep. When they walked home the sun was about to set, so Hank and Joan stayed out on the beach to look at it while Meg went inside to get to bed. It had been a exhausting day, and with the preperations for dinner all day tomorrow, she needed to sleep.
When Ben came home around 3AM he did what he usally does. He went into Meg's bedroom to kiss her goodnight. What he didn't know was that Hank had woken up and gone downstairs for a glass of water. Hank saw that Meg's door was open and was just about to close it when he saw Ben and heard:
Ben: Good night honey, sweet dreams.
He kissed her on the head and then he went out. Outside Meg's room he bumped into Hank who hadn't gotten away.
Ben: Oh! I didn't know you were up.
Hank: Don't worry. I'm not gonna yell at you. I was just a bit surprised, but now I know that you never gonna hurt my little Meggie.
Ben: No, I don't have any plans on that, I never could do that I guees, to anyone.
Hank: I hope you accept my apology.
Ben: Of course. Good night then.
Hank: Good night.
[Saturday morning Ben's house]
When Meg came downstairs for breakfast she found her parents and Ben on the terrace already at it. Well her parents were after all farmers and used to go up early. Ben was the first to notice her.
Ben: Good morning sweetie, did you sleep well. He raised to kiss her on the cheek.
Meg: Yes I did. Good morning to all of you! She kissed them all on their cheeks. Mom, dad, did you sleep well.
Joan: Perfect. I haven't slept this well in a long time. But I guess seeing that you have a good life here and that beautiful sunset last night helped a lot.
Ben: Yes, that sunset was great! I saw it from my window in the office. Did you see it Meg?
Meg: No, I went to sleep and left mom and dad to it on their own.
Hank: Meg, I want you to know that Ben and I talked last night.
Meg: Did you wait up for him?
Hank: No, I bumped into him upstairs as he came out from your room.
Joan: WHAT!?!?
Hank: Calm down(he laughed) you'll be pleased about this. Ben was just kissing her good night like we used to do when she was younger.
Joan: Good!
Hank: Anyway Meggie, we talked briefly and cleared the problems that really weren't there.
Meg: Good! Now maybe we can go on and enjoy Thanksgiving!
Joan: Yes, I can't wait to get started. Are we soon leaving?
Meg: Yes mom, I just need to eat then we're going by to get Bette, Emily, Annie and Hannah. Maria will join us later. She's got the kids to take care off to. At least Elliot, Eliza loves to spend time alone with daddy.
The women worked all day with cooking, setting the tables, decorating the club and when it finally was time for dinner they were almost exhausted. But very satisfied. Hannah and Joan was very proud to once again been able to get the families together for Thanksgiving, ok Sara and Sam were missing, but Sam had to take care of the farm and Sara was in Washingstone. So they all enjoyed dinner Hank and Joan, Hannah and Jonathan, Ben and Meg, Derek and Maria(and the kids), Annie and Mark(who had gotten introduced properly to the family and not as an employee of Ben's anymore), Bette and Emily, Maria's mother Carmen, her brothers and their wives; Ricardo and Paula, Antonio and Gabriella.
Chapter 17
So the Thanksgiving went well after all and Hank, Joan, Hannah and Jonathan flew home Sunday afternoon. Hank and Joan did let Meg stay at Ben's, after all she would have spent so much time there anyway they figured that it was for the best.
Two weeks after Thanksgiving Mark had asked for the weekend off. He wanted to go away with Annie to celebrate her passing the first real tough exam. They went to a smorl cabin in the mountains. When they came back Annie had this most amazing ring on her finger. They had gotten engaged, with Jonathan's permisson of course. Mark had in the old fashion way went to him to ask for Annie's hand in marrige. Annie had before that talked to her father about school and stuff.
"Christmas"
Ben usally closed the café and the nightclub for a few days around Christmas, there wasn't that many tourists and the people of Sunset Rock had things to do at home, so all Ludgrey kids living in Sunset Rock went home for Christmas. Arriving at the local airport was at the same time Meg's sister Sara with her boyfriend Clive. They had been seeing eachother on and off for a time now, and he wasn't that attached to Washingstone so he planned to move to Ludgrey now that Sara was moving home.
Ben and Meg was for the first time in about 6 months going to stay at seperate houses. But just for a few days, they needed to go back the 28th to start preparing for the New Year's party at the Deep. The families were to spend Christmas together at the Evan's masion and that included Meg's brother Sam and his girlfriend Susan as well as the other's mentioned before.
"New Year"
Safe and soundly back in Sunset Rock Ben and Meg had more than a few things to do at the nightclub. A speical menu was to be prepared and the supplies was to be bought. Annie and Mark was working hard too and Annie had some studying to do as well, she had another big exam two weeks after the term started. Annie and Mark did plan their wedding in every free minute they had. They had sat the date to the 23rd of June. The wedding was to be in Sunset Rock with Ben as bestman and Meg as maid of honour.
The New Year came and past quickly, and as it's always sunny and warm in Sunset Rock the tourist season was picking up again very quickly. Meg worked 6 days a week now that Annie was back studying. And after all, what should she do with two days off a week, Ben was working anyway.
"Free dinner"
Ben and Meg hadn't had time until now to go have that free dinner they won in the pair's masquradecontest. But as their 8 months anniversary was coming up in March Ben booked a table for them. He told Mark to close the Deep up. He had something speical planned fot this evening. Meg kind of felt that something was going on, she went out to buy herself a new dress, this really "hot" black thing. As she came down the stairs just before they were leaving Ben almost lost it.
Ben: You look lovely. I'm stunned.
Meg: Thank you, you look great too, but you always do in the tux.
Ben: Well shall we leave. I've called for a cab, that way we can enjoy some wine both of us.
[ The Grenadines]
It was a full dinner they had won, starter, main course and desert. It all tasted lovely. The had salmon as main course. Meg hadn't been much for eating fish living back in Ludgrey, but in Sunset Rock there were so many different kind of fishes that she now saw to it that they had it at least once a week. There was a band planning this evening so between courses the danced. They finished the evening with coffee.
[Home]
When they got back Ben went into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of champange.
Meg: I don't know if I want any.
Ben: It's up to you, but I thought it would be the perfect way to finish the evening.
Meg: Ok, just a little, to celebrate a great evening.
Ben poored them a glass each and went over to sit with Meg on the sofa. They sat their talking and kissing when Ben suddenly pulled himself away from Meg.
Ben: Meg, there's something I'd like to talk to you about.
Meg: What? You know you can talk to me about anything.
Ben: Maybe it's not that much of a talk as it's a question.
Meg: Now you got me curious.
Ben: How shall I put this. I .....
Meg: Are you sick or something?
Ben: Sick, not really.
Meg: Not really, you start to worry me.
Ben: Meg, I love you I always will, you know that, don't you?
Meg: Have you found another one? She had tears in her eyes.
Ben: No, no. I would have told you if I had. No....here it comes.
Ben raised himself from the sofa just to get down on one knee.
Ben: Meg, my love, would you do me the honours of marrying me?
Meg was now crying, all those tears she had built up in fear came out in happiness.
Meg: Yes Ben, Yes!!! I'll marry you. She jumped up and threw herself around his neck kissing him.
Ben: Then I better put this on your finger. He took a box out of his pocket and opened it and showed it to Meg.
Meg: Oh it's lovely, it looks just like a rose. Is it a real???
Ben: Of course it's a real diamond. Just as my love for you is real. I wouldn't dream of buying any fake stuff for you.
Meg: Oh! It's just lovely and so are you.
Ben: Let's see if it fits. He put the ring on her finger.
Meg: It does, I love you Ben.
Ben: I love you too. He kissed her first light but the passion drew them deeper and deeper. They feel still in eachothers arms on the sofa.
Ben stood up, swept her up in his arms still kissing her. He took her upstaris and was just about to put her down outside her door.
Meg: No! Take me to your room.
Ben: Are you sure? Because if you come inside that door, I'm not sure I can stop this thing that's about to happen.
Meg: I'm sure. I've been thinking about it lately.
Ben: You must be sure.
Meg: Ben I love you, I've never felt this way about anyone before. And I've never....
Ben: I know.
Meg: You do? Is it that obvious?
Ben: No, not by looking at you, but I know you! And I love and respect you, so if you wanna break it of I'm happy to wait until after we're married.
Meg: No, I want it now, I want you Ben. I trust you and I love you.
Ben: I love you too. He kissed her and took her into his own bedroom.
Chapter 18
"The next morning"
[Ben's bedroom]
Meg's stirring around and ends up facing Ben who's been awake a short while just laying there looking at his beautiful FIANCÉE.
Ben: Good morning sleeping beauty!
Meg: Good morning to you too.
Ben: How are you feeling, did you sleep ok?
Meg: I'm feeling great and I slept more than ok, I was in your arms all night, wasn't I?
Ben: You certainly were. Are you sure your ok?
Meg: Yes, if I'd known that it would be this great I would have .....
Ben: ..done it sooner? No, I don't think so. The thing is that because you waited it was so good. I'm proud of you waiting, although I wanted this to happen for a long time, I don't mind the waiting.
Meg: Thank you for being so patient.
Ben: No, thank you for everything, agreeing to marry me and loving me. Now I thought I'd have a shower, care to join me?
Meg: Why not?!
As Meg came out of Ben's bathroom wrapped in towels she found Annie sitting on the bed.
Annie: Isn't your shower working? she said teasingly but shut up as she saw her brother coming behind Meg in nothing but a towel around his waist.
Meg(blushing): Annie!? What are you doing here?
Annie: I was looking for you.
Ben: How did you get in?
Annie: I've still got this, she held a key up, and I did knock forever and call when I came inside. So what have the two of you been up to? .... No, don't tell me please.
Ben: We've only showered. ( that was the truth, they had only showered/tina)
Meg: Annie, why don't you come into my room. I need to get dressed.
Ben laughed when he became lonely in his bathroom. Luckily they hadn't made love this morning, then Annie certainly had walked in on something.
[Meg's room]
Annie: So...what happend here?
Meg: Here? Nothing.
Annie: I didn't mean in this room, I meant in the house in general.
Meg: Well.... she turned red, even though she and Annie had talked about sex and stuff before it was a new thing to Meg now that she actually had any experience.
Annie: So you really did it?
Meg: Yes.
Annie: But what about waiting until you were married.
Meg sat down infront of her mirror and started to comb her hair. Annie then spotted the ring.
Annie: Don't answer that! Ben asked you to marry him?
Meg: YES!!! She turned around and showed Annie the ring. Isn't it wonderful?
Annie: It certainly is. That means that we'll be sisters for real now.
Meg: I guess so.
Annie: Have you sat a date yet?
Meg: No, there was no time for that last night.
Annie: You certainly marched on quickly, but I guess my brother as a very persweing way.
Meg: He has, but he gave me more than one chance to end it before we came into his bedroom.
Annie: That sounds like my brother, giving people a lot of chances just so he doesn't hurt them.
[ Downstairs]
Ben had quickly gotten dressed and gone downstairs to start breakfast. He was just about to take the trey out on the terrace when Annie and Meg came down the stairs.
Annie(teasingly): Well, well, well brother dear. What have you gotten yourself into?
Ben: What do you mean?
Meg: I've told her.
Ben: About it all?
Meg: No, of course not.
Annie: Is there anything more than this? she took Meg's left hand and held it up.
Ben: No, I guess not.
Annie: I was just teasing you Ben, Congratulations to the both of you. You really deserve it. I couldn't be happier, I do love Maria but not as much as I do Meg, you chose good brother dear.
Ben: Well there wasn't much to choose from. I guess I've always loved Meg in some way, even though the both of you could be a pain in the ass when you were young.
Annie and Meg: WHEN WE WERE YOUNG? We beg to difference, we still are young and will stay like this forever.
Ben: Maybe in you hearts you will, but I'm looking forward to grow old with you Meg, to have kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
Meg(shyly): I do too.
Ben: Now, will the two of you get down those stairs and join me for breakfast on the terrace.
Annie: Not me, I have to run. I'm meeting Mark at the café.
Meg: Sorry to see you run, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?
Annie: I don't think any of you are sorry to see me leave. I came to ask if you're free Tuesday afternoon, I've got an appointment in the bridalshop to look at dresses.
Meg: If I'm not I'll see to it that I am. I guess I can switch shifts with someone.
Annie: Good! Now, both of you get your butts out on that terrace and enjoy your breakfast. See you
Meg: See you, and please don't tell anyone just yet. I have to tell my parents first this time, you both know how the reacted when they found out about us in the first time.
Annie: Not even Mark?
Ben: Well Mark you can tell, I know he can keep quite, but not aunt Bette.
Annie went out the frontdoor and Ben and Meg to the terrace to have breakfast. When they had finished Meg moved over to sit in Ben's lap. She started to kiss him.
Ben: Meg, stop it please.
Meg: What's up?
Ben: Nothing, it's just that there are a few things we need to talk about.
Meg: Like what?
Ben: Like last night.
Meg: What about it, is there something wrong?
Ben: I hope not, but you know what can happen if we're not careful?
Meg: Of course I know, remember I'm a farmgirl, I've know about babies and stuff for a very long time.
Ben: I know you know. But we have to find a way to avoid babies until we're married.
Meg(sadly): Do you mean we have to stop....
Ben: Not exactly, but we have to be careful, the thing is that it could have happend last night.
Meg: I don't think so, I'm about to have...... she was still a bit embarresed to talk about this, and especially with a man even though it was her fiancé.....I mean any day now it's time.
Ben: I've heard that there are some new things coming that helps couple protect themselves. But one have to get it from a doctor.
Meg: Oh, like what?
Ben: I don't know, as I haven't been in need of it I haven't looked around for information. Do you want me to make an appointment with my doctor?
Meg: Would you do that for me?
Ben: No, for us!
Meg: Maybe I should go too.
Ben: Yes maybe that's a good idea. Shall I book us one appointment together, or one for us each. His wife is a doctor too, if you feel more comfortable talking to a woman about it.
Meg: I guess so, what's their names?
Ben: Tyus and Vanessa Robinstone.
Chapter 19
After having decided on the doctors and stuff they went back to some more kissing(remember they're newly engaged/tina) but they couldn't have "been at it" for very long before they heard:
-Uncle Ben! Uncle Ben! up from the beach Eliza came running with her father not too close and her mother and brother even farer behind.
Ben: Eliza! Hi love, how are you?
Eliza: I'm good!
Ben: You shouldn't run away from daddy like that, can you promise me not to do that again?
Eliza: Yes uncle Ben.
Ben: So someone needs to start jogging I see. He had turned to Derek that now had caught up with his 2,5 years old daughter.
Derek: Well, I might join you one of these days.
Ben: I'll hold you to that.
Derek: You seemed cozy there just before.
Ben: Mmmm, yes.
Derek: Hello brother dear, what is it you're not telling me?
Ben(innocent): Nothing.
Maria(who also had come up): Yes there's something, I can see it in your eyes.
Meg looked envious at her, how could she see anything in the eyes of "her" man.
Maria: You look like Derek did when we were newly engaged, well he sometimes still look that way, when the kids haven't worn him out.
Derek: Did you realize what you said?
Maria: What? Oh!!! Are you? Have he? she turned to Meg.
Meg: Well yes! YES!!!!! (all her envy was just like gone with the wind, not that it even was windy this lovely Sunday)
Derek: Congratulations! I knew that the two of you should end up together a lot of years ago.
Meg: You knew?
Derek: Yes, the two of you have always had such a connection. No one have been able to put a finger on it, or explain how it works, but apperently it does.
Ben: Apperently it does. He kissed Meg. Do you want to celebrate with us? I've got some champange in the fridge.
Maria: Just a little, I have to think about Elliot. So what did your parents say Meg, I remember Thanksgiving.
Meg: Oh, my parents! I have totally forgot to call them to tell! I have to go do that now! Meg ran into the house.
Eliza: What happend to Meg?
Maria: Uncle Ben and Meg are going to get married. Just like mommy and daddy.
Eliza: Unlce Ben is Meg gonna be your mommy?
Ben(kneelt down to her): Kind of, she's gonna be like your mommy is to your daddy.
Eliza: Is she gonna have a baby, just like mommy had Elliot?
Derek(laughing): Oh brother dear, get out of that question in a good way!
Ben: I hope so, we have to see.
Meg: See what?
Eliza: If you and uncle Ben are gonna have a Elliot, I mean a baby.
Meg blushed.
Ben: So what did your parents say, it was a short call.
Meg: They were happy of course, dad said finally. I guess you have had it in mind for a while? They sent their love to all of you, they were on the way to your parents for Sundaybrunch.
Ben: Maybe I'll call them to tell them myself first then. I'll be right back and then I'll bring that champange.
(Ben had of course already at Christmas asked Hank for Meg's hand in marriage/tina)
Ben came back to the terrace with the campange and 4 glasses, but that wasn't enough. Just passing by was Bette, she was on her way over to her friend Olivia Richards.
Bette: Hello family!
Ben: Hello aunt Bette!
Bette: What's up here?
Ben: Oh, nothing much.
Bette: Nothing much, champange in the morning on a Sunday?
Meg: You can tell her Ben.
Bette: Tell me what?
Ben(proudly): Last night Meg agreed to marry me.
Bette: Oh! Corngirl! This was great news! Congratulations the both of you(she hugged them). Now I got something to write about in tomorrows column.
Meg: Thanks, I haven't heard that name since I was a little girl.
Ben: Do you want to join us in a toast?
Bette: Do I? Moi? Do you really have to ask? Alright I'm a bit late, but this is more important.
They all laughed. Bette knew how to put her priorities. Family and celebrations came first, even though her best friends Elaine Stevens(the Waffleshop owner) and Olivia came very close to the celebrations.
Chapter 20
"Appoinments"
As Tuesday came Meg had the whole day off. She was going with Annie to the bridalshop to look for a dress(not for herself yet though), and then in the afternoon she had a doctor's appointment with Vanessa Robinstone.
[Bridal Shop]
Annie: Wow! So many dresses, and I don't have a clue what I want.
Meg: Uhum.
Annie: What's up?
Meg(quite harsh): Nothing!
Annie: You're my best friend and I've seen you live up among the clouds for the last few days and now that I need you the most you're so cold.
Meg: Oh! I didn't mean to sound harsh. It's just nothing.
Annie: There's something, let it out.
Meg: Well I've got a doctor's appointment this afternoon and I guess I'm a bit nervous.
Annie: Are you sick or something?
Meg: No, it's just....
Annie: What? Who's the appointment with? There wasn't that many doctors in Sunset Rock and Annie knew them all thru her aunt Bette.
Meg: Vanessa Robinstone.
Annie: Oh, it's that kind of an appointment, don't worry Meg, she's great.
Meg: Have YOU been there?
Annie: Of course, since we don't want any children until after I'm finished with school at least. And Mark went to Tyus at the same time.
Meg sighed with relife. Annie had been and she was OK about it, I guess it isn't that bad after all Meg thought to herself.
Annie: So, can we go on with what we're here for?
They went around for hours, and finally after having tried about 8 of the dresses she liked best Annie finally decided on one. Now she should look for accecories for it and that wasn't easy either. They looked at some stuff but Annie decided that she think about it and make a decision when she came back for her first fitting.
[Robinstone's practice]
Annie then had to go to a lecture and Meg had her doctor's appointment. As Ben had managed to get them both in at the same time she bumped into him in the door.
Ben: Hi love, are you OK?
Meg: I'm a bit nervous, but Annie got me on other thoughts for a few hours.
Ben: It's ok to be nervous, you know that you don't have to go thru with this if you don't want to. I'm happy to wait until after we're married if you're more comfortable with it. He went over to give her an encouraging hug.
Meg(whispering in his ear): No, it was so great, I don't wanna wait, I want to do it again. She made Ben blush, he wasn't used to get comments like that.
From two doors behind the desk came one male and one female doctor.
Tyus: Ben, nice to see you again.(Remember they were doctors in all kinds of things/tina)
Ben: And you too Tyus, Vanessa nice to meet you as well. May I introduce my fiancé to you. Meg this is Tyus and Vanessa Robinstone- Doctor's this is Meg Cummings the most beautiful woman in the world.
Tyus: I beg to differnce. he laughed.
Vanessa: Well Meg, why don't we get into my office.
Meg: Ok.
Ben: Darling, if you don't want me there as well you better let go of my hand.
Meg(blushed): Sorry.
[Vanessa's office]
Vanessa: So you're getting married? Congratulations.
Meg: Thank you.
Vanessa: Where shall I start?(she felt that Meg was nervous) I have to do a physical examanation as well, shall I explain the procedure?
Meg: I think that would be good.
Vanessa explained it to her and then she made the examanation. After Meg gotten dressed again they both sat down.
Vanessa: It all looks ok to me. When did you have your last period?
Meg: Almost a month ago, that's why I wasn't worried when Ben asked afterwards. She was a bit embarresed, after all she wasn't married yet.
Vanessa: Don't worry, I'm not allowed to say anything to anyone about our conversation.
Meg: So what now?
Vanessa: There are a few options and because of that the both of you are here today I persume you don't want to wait until after you're married.
Meg: No, not really.
Vanessa: So this is how it works you take this pills like I perscribe them to you and you should be safe, but there's a new thing for the men to wear as an extra protection. We uses it ourself and it's been working so far. I can't garuantee that it will work 100% because like all medications it's up to the person that takes it to make sure it's taken as perscribed and then that you don't get sick from it then it won't work.
Meg: Ok.
Vanessa: So I suggest that you talk about it all with Ben and when you've had your next period you start the pills. I suggest that you go the extra safe way the first couple of days so that the pills start to work on your body.
Meg: So both the pills and that thing for men at first, then it's safe with only the pills?
Vanessa: Not 100% though, so if you want to be safe you should do that all the time. This is a new kind of medication, so all the sideeffects haven't been discovered yet, but you can both gain and loose weight as it affects your hormones. If you feel bad from it I want you to contact me at once and we'll look into it again. Do you have anything you like to ask me?
Meg(full of all kinds of information): I don't think so.
Vanessa: If you come up with anything, please give me a call, otherwise I'd like to see you again in 3 months just to talk about how it goes. After that it's enough with every 6 months.
Meg: I came to think of a question.
Vanessa: Go ahead Meg.
Meg: When we're married and want children?
Vanessa: Then you stop taking the pills and not use any protection at all. It can take a short while before the affects of the pills stop, so don't expect to get pregnant at once, but then again it's different from person to person.
When Meg and Vanessa came out from her office Ben was already sitting there waiting for Meg.
Vanessa: So I hope everything will be ok now, she said quietly to Meg, call me if you have ANY questions.
Meg: I will, thank you.
She went over to Ben who had raised himself from the sofa. He nodded towards Vanessa and took Meg's hand in his. They walked the whole way home in silence.
[Robinstone's practice]
Tyus: She seemed like a nice person. I'm happy Ben finally found love.
Vanessa: Yes she certainly did, quite innocent though, but apperently they've known eachother their whole lives I've heard.
Tyus: So have I. Well.....I don't have any more patients today, do you?
Vanessa: No.
Tyus: Why don't we close this place up and go home and cook us a nice meal and then we might even....
Vanessa: Is that all you have in mind after a "couple-appoinment" she laughed, then I have to see to it that we get more of those.
Tyus: Well I love you too...... he said sarcasticly but yet in a funny way.
[Ben and Meg's house](yes it's their house now/tina)
Ben: So...did it all go well?
Meg: Yes, and she gave me these pills to start take after my next.......
Ben: Tyus expalined it all to me. I really hope it works out. I got some of those things too, not pills....."why can't I talk like the 32 year old man I am" he thought to himself.
Meg: I know what you mean, Vanessa told me about it.
Ben: So....shall we go out for dinner?
Meg: No, let's stay in, I'm not really that hungry, it's been so much new things today I'm rather exhausted.
Ben: Why don't you go upstairs for a nap and I'll cook us something for dinner.
Meg: Something light then, like that fantastic pasta you do.
Ben: For you my love, I'll do anything. His eyes followed her all the way up the stairs. Anything he said to himself again.