Sweet Revenge
by Allyson
Book 1, chapter 41 - 50
Chapter 41
Early the next morning
“Brring! Brring!”
Ben wakes up and reaches for the phone.
“Hello.”
“Ben, this is Joan. Is Sara with you?”
“Yes, she’s fine. Casey is here too.”
“Why are they there?”
“Joan, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Derek has Meg. That is why we could not find her yesterday.”
“No, Ben, you have to get her back. We need to call the police.”
“Joan, I can’t do that. I can’t risk him hurting her. I am supposed to give him some money today and he said he will give her to me.”
“Ben, do you really trust him to do that?”
“No, but I will get her back. I promise you that. Nothing will stand in my way.”
“Thank you Ben. Our faith rests in your hands. Bring my daughter home.”
“Don’t worry Joan. I will.”
“Thank you Ben.”
“Your welcome Joan. And please try to stay calm. I know it is hard, but I promise you it is better if you are.”
“I know Ben. I will try to be. Please call us the minute you have her.”
“I will. I promise. Good bye.”
“Bye”
Ben hangs up the phone and turns around to see Sara looking at him.
“Was that my mom?” she asks.
“Yes, it was. I told her you were here and that I was getting Meg back,” Ben says.
“But, Ben, I thought you were afraid she would call the police,” Sara says.
“Sara, she won’t. I told her I was afraid he would hurt Meg and I did not want to take that chance. She agreed with me,” Ben says.
“Okay,” she says with a sigh of relief. “What time is it?”
“It’s 8:30 a.m. The money should be here in a couple of hours,” Ben says.
“Okay. I guess we just need to sit tight,” Sara says.
“Yes, we sure do,” Ben says.
Meanwhile……
“She got sick again?” Tess asks.
“Yes, she did,” Derek says looking down at the curled up figure under the blanket.
“Derek, something is really wrong with her. She should not have gotten sick so fast,” Tess says.
“Yeah…well…there is not much we can do,” Derek says. “Ben has till noon and her well being will depend on him.”
Chapter 42
Ben’s house…11:45 a.m.
Ben is pacing back and forth looking at his watch. Everyone else is sitting in silence.
“Why the hell hasn’t he called?” Ben asks angrily as he comes to a stop beside the couch.
“Ben, he wants that money. I know he will call,” Sara says reassuredly.
Ben goes back to pacing and a few minutes later the phone rings.
“Hello!” Ben says as he picks up the phone.
“Hi brother dear.”
“Where do I need to take the money?”
“Patience, patience…”
“I’ll give you patience alright…now where the hell do I need to take it?”
“Meet me under the pier at nightfall.”
“Nightfall? You told me to have the money by noon.”
“Well, I changed my mind. I want to make sure we aren’t seen.”
“Derek, I want Meg back now.”
“All in good time, brother, all in good time.”
“Let me speak to her.”
“Let me see if she is awake. Oh, Meg darling?”
At the sound of Derek’s voice, Meg starts to stir and opens her eyes. She sees Derek looking down at her.
“Where am I?” she says hoarsely.
“Derek, I can hear her. Let me speak to her.”
“Very well then. Just a second.”
Derek puts the phone up to Meg’s ear.
“Meg?”
“Ben?” she whispers as a single tear rolls down her face.
Derek takes the phone away from her.
“Satisfied brother?”
“I swear to you Derek, if you do so much as one thing to her, I swear I’ll kill ya.”
“Calm down Benny. She is fine. You will see her soon. Bye.”
The phone clicks.
“God damn him!” Ben says as he slams the phone down.
“Ben, what’s wrong?” Sara asks.
“He doesn’t want me to meet him until nightfall. He finally let me speak to Meg and she sounds horrible,” he says trying to keep his composure as he hears her weak voice over and over again in his mind.
“Why did he have to do this?” Sara says fighting the tears. “Why can’t he just leave her alone?”
Casey puts his arms around Sara and she buries her face in his chest trying to keep the tears from falling.
Meanwhile…
“Derek, why did you do this?” says Meg through her tears.
“Megan, my darling, you would never understand,” Derek says in the sweetest tone he can muster up.
“Try me!” Meg says as an angry tear rolls down her cheek.
“In good time, Megan dear, in good time. Now, let me get you a little something to help you sleep,” he says walking over to a bag that was on the floor.
“I don’t want to sleep,” she yells struggling with the rope that is still around her wrists.
“Oh, but you will,” Derek says as he turns around with two pills in one hand and a thermos in the other.
“Open wide,” he says as he kneels down beside Meg.
Meg closes her mouth and will not open it.
“Open your damn mouth!” he yells.
She continues to keep it closed, which upsets Derek and he loses patience. He punches her in the mouth. She lets out a cry of pain and opens her mouth. He puts the pills in her mouth and then gives her the water that is in the thermos. She comes close to choking, but manages to get the pills down. Derek gets up and puts the thermos back. Meg just lays in the floor sobbing and falls to sleep as the medicine takes affect.
Chapter 43
Ben stands outside watching the sunset when the phone rings. Sara jumps up to get it, but Ben gets back inside and beats her to it.
“Hello.”
“Hello Ben.”
“Where do I take the money?”
“There is an old dumpster under the pier. I want you to put the money in it.”
“Where will Meg be?”
“She will be there once the money is in my hands.”
“Derek, she better be there.”
“Oh she will be.”
Click.
“Where does he want you to take the money?” Sara asks.
“He wants me to put it in some old dumpster under the pier,” Ben says.
“I know where that is,” says Casey.
“Good. It’s starting to get a little darker now. I need to wait until it is completely nightfall to go,” Ben says. “Casey, I want you to go with me. Sara, I want you and Tim to stay here just in case something goes wrong and I need you to call the police.”
“Tim can stay here. I want to stay with Casey,” Sara says.
“Sara, it’s too dangerous. I don’t think it would be a good idea,” Casey says.
“Casey, she’s my sister. I need to be there. Please!” she begs.
“Sara…I…I guess I can’t argue with that. Meg would kill me if anything ever happened to you. Just please promise me you will listen to us and do what we tell you to do. It will be for your own safety,” Ben says.
“Oh Ben, I promise I will. Thank you so much,” she says giving him a hug.
“In that case, Tim you need to stay here. If we need the police, I will need you to call them,” Ben says.
Tim starts to open his mouth, but Sara gives him a scary look.
“Say you will do it Tim,” Sara says.
“Okay, I will stay here,” Tim says.
“Thank you Tim. We better get going,” Ben says. Then his eyes come to rest on Maria. “Maria, don’t leave this house.”
“I won’t,” she says looking up at him.
Ben, Sara, and Casey take off, leaving Maria and Tim at the house.
Meanwhile……
“When are you going to get the money?” Tess asks.
“I am getting ready to leave now,” says Derek, making sure he has everything he needs.
“Good, what do you want me to do with her?” Tess asks.
“When I have the money, I will come back for you and her. I will leave her somewhere they can find her,” Derek says.
“Okay, hurry back,” Tess says.
“I will,” Derek says as he leans in to give Tess a kiss.
Chapter 44
“Ok, this is where he said to go,” Casey says pointing to the dumpster. “Sara and I will stay right here out of view.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” Ben says taking a deep breath.
He walks over to the dumpster, looking all around him at the same time. He opens up the dumpster and places the cash in. He looks around again and walks over to where Sara and Casey are hiding. The three of them watch the dumpster, waiting for Derek to appear.
Meanwhile……
Derek is crawling through a sewer drain that he knows will lead him under the dumpster.
“Okay, five more steps, 5,4,3,2,1, Bingo.” Derek says to himself. He reaches up and takes the top off of the sewage drain which brings him to the inside of the dumpster. He spots the backpack and checks its contents and then he takes it into the sewage drain with him. He then takes a folded up piece of paper out of his pocket and places it in the spot where the bag was. He gets out of the dumpster and places the top back on.
In the hiding spot……
“Something is not right. He should have been here by now,” Ben says.
“Just give him a little more time,” Sara says.
“I want to check that dumpster,” Ben says standing up.
“Be careful,” Casey says.
“I will be,” Ben says.
He walks over to the dumpster, once again looking all around. Then he turns around, facing the dumpster and opens it back up. The bag is gone.
“Its gone!” he yells out. Then he sees a folded piece of paper. He picks it up and unfolds it. It’s a hastily written note.
“Hello brother. Did you really think I would make it this easy? Your lady love is hidden in a nice little place. It’s up to you to find her before she is gone forever. You have ten minutes. I will give you a hint. Its dark and cold.”
“Oh my god! He’s got her in a cave. He is going to blow it up. We’ve got to go,” Ben yells as he runs out from under the pier with Casey and Sara close behind.
In the cave……
“What is taking Derek so long?” Tess says out loud.
Then all the sudden she hears a noise.
“Derek, is that you?” she says into the darkness.
“Yes, it is me,” Derek says coming out of the dark pointing a gun at Tess.
“Derek, what are you doing?” says Tess as she backs away from him.
“I said I was getting the money, but I never said I was sharing it with you,” he says with an evil grin on his face. He shoots Tess in the chest.
Outside……
Ben hears the echo of a gun shot from outside the first cave.
“Oh my god,” he makes a beeline for the cave, with Sara and Casey close behind him.
Derek turns around and makes a run for it, only to run right into Ben.
“You bastard!” Ben yells. He starts to fight with Derek.
All of the sudden, there is a loud explosion. Rocks start to fall. Casey grabs a screaming Sara and starts running with her toward the opening of the cave. They get out of the entrance right before the cave caves in.
“Noooo!!!” Sara screams.
Casey holds onto Sara, no longer able to hold back the tears. They sit on the ground holding each other, rocking back and forth.
Chapter 45
In the cave…
It is still. There is no noise.
Ben opens his eyes and squints to adjust to the darkness. He feels someone beside him. He feels for his penlight in his pocket and he takes it out. He turns it on and shines it on the figure beside him. It was Derek and he was dead. There was a huge rock on top of Derek and it had missed him by inches.
Ben shines the light in the other direction and sees two more figures further away. He starts to crawl towards them and he comes to the first one. He sees that it is Tess and she is dead too.
He continues to crawl on and there she was, all curled up, a rock on top of her left leg. He gets the rock off of her leg and gently unties the ropes around her wrists and ankles. She starts to stir.
“Ben?” she murmurs.
“Yes, I am right here,” he says. “How do you feel?”
“My leg hurts,” she says trying to sit up. She gets dizzy and starts to fall back.
“Whoa! I’ve got you,” he says as he catches her and cradles her gently in his arms. “Just lay back and relax.”
“Where are we?” she asks frightened as she snuggles up closer to Ben.
“We are in the cave where Derek had you. There was an explosion,” Ben says.
“An explosion? Are we stuck?” she asks, a tear running down her face.
“Uh…yes. We are right now, but we are going to get out. They will find us,” Ben says.
“Okay. Ben, I am just going to close my eyes. I am so sleepy…” she says.
“Okay, you rest,” he said kissing the top of her head. Then he silently prayed to himself. “God, please get us out of here. Please…”
Meanwhile…
Outside the cave
The disaster team is working on getting the rocks away from the front of the cave. Ricardo is supervising as Casey watches. Sara is with her parents standing a little further away.
Ricardo turns around to face Casey.
“Do you have any idea how far back Ben was?” Ricardo asks.
“He wasn’t far from the entrance when he encountered Derek, so he shouldn’t be too far in there,” Casey says.
Ricardo turns back around to the team.
“Ok, everyone, continue pulling the rocks away from the cave. Once you get more away, we are going to yell for them and see if we can hear anyone and then we can better pinpoint a spot. Casey says Ben was not far from the entrance,” he says.
They continue to dig and pull away rocks.
In the cave…
Ben is sitting with Meg, who is fast asleep and he hears a loud noise. He continues to listen and see if he hears more. Then he hears voices.
“Hey! Can anyone hear me?” he yells.
Outside, two of the workers can hear him faintly.
“Ricardo, I think we hear somebody,” one of them says.
Ricardo goes to where the workers are and yells into the rubble.
“Ben, is that you?”
He listens for a few seconds and hears a faint yes.
“Who is with you?” he yells again.
“I have Meg. Tess and Derek are dead,” Ben yells back a little louder.
“We are going to get you out,” Ricardo yells. Then he turns to Casey. “They are alive.”
Casey breathes a sigh of relief and he goes to get Sara and her parents.
“Did you all here that?” he says.
“Hear what?” Sara says with big eyes.
“They’re alive!” he says.
“Thank God!” Joan says out loud. She and Hank hug. Sara hugs Casey and they all head down to where Casey had been standing.
The team continues to dig and two hours later, they get to Ben and Meg. Ben and Meg are pulled out of the cave and rushed to the hospital.
Chapter 46
The emergency room
Sara, Casey, and Ben have all been checked over and are waiting in the waiting room with Joan and Hank for news about Meg.
Ben is pacing back and forth. Sara and Casey are snuggled up together and Sara has fallen asleep. Hank and Joan are sitting in their chairs anxiously holding hands.
After what seems like an eternity, the doctor emerges.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, Mr. Evans, I have news for you about Meg,” he says.
Ben, Joan, Hank, Casey, and a now awake Sara listen intently.
“She is doing fine, so there is nothing to worry about. She does have a broken left ankle and she is quite dehydrated. She also appears to have been sick and that seems to be gone. I think it was a 24 hour bug, but I would like to keep her for a couple of days for observation just to make sure everything is okay. She also was given a sleeping pill, which she told me herself when she woke up for a few brief moments. It was a high potency pill, so she will probably be sleeping a lot for the next 24 hours, but it should wear off. We are going to move her to her own room in a little while, but you all are all free to go back and see her if you would like,” he says.
“Oh, thank you doctor,” Joan says. “Lets go back.”
“Oh, one more thing,” the doctor says before they can go back. “The left side of her face is a bit swollen from a couple of injuries she apparently suffered before the collapse of the cave from what we can see. It’s going to look bad, but I assure you she is fine and her face will heal.”
“Thank you again doctor,” Hank says.
Everyone follows Joan and Hank to Meg’s room.
Joan and Hank enter first and are surprised by what they see. Meg is sound asleep. She looks so small in the bed with the big cast on her leg and IVs in her arm. She also has a bandage on her head above her left eye.
As Joan and Hank move away from the doorway, Sara, Casey, and Ben enter and see her to. Joan goes over to one side of the bed, while Ben goes to the other.
“Hi, honey. The doctor said you are going to be just fine,” says Joan as Hank comes up behind her.
“Honey, I’m here to. Your mom is right, you are going to be just fine,” Hank says.
Meg starts to stir.
“Mom?” she whispers.
“Yes sweetie. Dad and I are here, and so is Sara and Casey and Ben,” Joan says.
“I am so sleepy mom…” she says barely able to keep her eyes open.
“I know you are honey. I think we are going to head out so you can get some rest and we will be back here first thing in the morning, okay?” Joan asks.
“Okay mom…” she says closing her eyes.
Joan and Hank both give Meg a kiss goodbye. They move towards the door. Sara and Casey come over.
“Hi sis,” Sara says as she gently picks up Meg’s hand.
“Hi,” Meg says as she opens her eyes again.
“I am so glad you are okay and so is Casey,” she says looking up at Casey.
“Hi,” Meg says looking at Casey.
“Hi Meg,” Casey replies.
Meg closes her eyes again and Sara decides it is time for them to go.
“Meg, Casey and I will come to see you tomorrow. Bye,” Sara says. She is about to put down Meg’s hand when Meg squeezes her hand.
“Bye,” Meg says. She lets go of Sara’s hand.
Hank, Sara, and Casey leave the room, but Joan hangs back.
“Ben, are you going to stay with her tonight?” Joan asks.
“Yes, I don’t want her out of my sight for a minute,” he says.
“I am so glad you are staying Ben. Please call us if there is anything she needs or you need,” Joan says.
“I will,” Ben says. Joan walks over and gives him a hug and then leaves the room.
“Ben?” Meg whispers.
“Yes, I’m right here,” he says holding her hand.
“Don’t leave me,” she says before falling back to sleep.
“Don’t worry, I won’t, ever,” he says as he leans over and kisses her on the forehead.
Chapter 47
It’s a week later. Meg has been home for a few days recovering at her parents’ house. Ben has just gotten home from visiting her and picking up Benjy from Carmen’s.
Ben’s House
Ben is sitting at his desk, looking over some paperwork, when the phone rings.
“Hello.”
“Hi, can I speak to Mr. Ben Evans?”
“Speaking.”
“My name is Terri Johnson. I…I think you have my son.”
“Your son? What are you talking about?”
“I know you are confused and don’t understand what I am trying to say, but please let me explain.”
“Okay. Explain.”
“I saw on the news recently everything that happened to you last week and I saw a picture of the little boy you have and I saw a picture of Tess. You see, Tess is my identical twin sister.”
“Identical twin sister?”
“Yes…and she and Derek, who I know is your twin, kidnapped him from me.”
“Wait a minute, I saw a picture of a very pregnant Tess with Derek. How can that…wait, that’s you in that picture, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is me. I was going out with Derek at the time and we planned to marry, but once I had Daniel…uh…Benjy as you know him, things fell apart. Derek still wanted parental rights, so I agreed to let him have Daniel every other weekend, but one weekend he took him and disappeared.”
“Terri, I…I don’t know what to say. I believe you, but I need proof of this.”
“Actually Mr. Evans, I am already in Sunset Beach. My attorney is with me and he can prove it to you.”
“Okay, that’s fine. I need to talk to Benjy about this and try to explain this to him, so I don’t think it will be a good idea for you to come right away.”
“I understand. I will give you a couple of days. Thank you Mr. Evans.”
“Your welcome. Uh, could I possibly get your phone number?”
“Sure, its 555-6677. We are staying at the Sunset Inn.”
“Okay Mrs. Johnson. I will give you a call once I have talked to Benjy.”
“Thank you again Mr. Evans.”
“Your welcome Mrs. Johnson. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Ben hangs up.
He puts his face in his hands.
“How am I ever going to explain this to Benjy?” he wonders to himself.
Just then, Benjy comes down the steps.
“Daddy, when are we having dinner?” he asks.
“Soon son,” Ben replies as he stands up and faces Benjy.
“Are you sad daddy?” Benjy asks.
“A little son. We need to have a daddy to son talk after dinner, okay?” Ben says.
“Okay. Can we have hotdogs and tater tots for dinner?” Benjy asks.
“Sure,” says Ben and they walk into the kitchen.
Chapter 48
Later that night at Ben’s house
Ben has just put Benjy to bed. He goes down the hall to his room and gets ready for bed. He climbs into bed and gets comfy. Then he picks up the phone and calls Meg.
“Hello.”
“Hi love. How are you feeling?”
“I am feeling okay. I’m a little sore, but not too bad.”
“That’s good,” Ben says with a sigh.
“Ben, is something wrong?” Meg asks instantly.
“Meg, you know me like a book and no, I am not okay.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“I received a call today from Benjy’s mother.”
“What? How can that be?”
“Apparently, she is Tess’ twin sister and she had Benjy with Derek, not Tess.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say.”
“I know. I was surprised myself. She wants to meet him. I told her I would need a few days to prepare Benjy for this.”
“Have you talked to Benjy yet?”
“I did a little bit tonight. I explained a little bit to him by starting with the fact that Maria is not his mother. He got upset, so I decided I would take it little by little.”
“Poor thing. I feel so bad for him, but maybe this is what he needs, to go back to his mother.”
“I think it will be good for him after everything that has happened to him to be in a stable environment.”
“I think you are right. Don’t you think you should meet her first before Benjy does?”
“I suppose I should.”
“Well, I hate to say it, but I am getting tired.”
“Okay love. You need your rest. I will come see you tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it. I miss you and I love you.”
“I miss you and I love you too. Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams to you too. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
They blow a kiss to each other over the phone and then hang up.
Ben turns off his light and with a contented sigh, he turns over and goes to sleep.
Chapter 49
A few days later
Benjy is at school and Ben is going to meet Benjy’s mother for the first time, but first he is going to see Meg. Benjy will meet his mother the next day.
Ben has just arrived at the Cummings. He says a quick hello to Joan and then goes up the steps to Meg’s room.
Meg’s Room
“Hey love,” Ben says as he walks into her room.
“Hi Ben,” she smiles and beckons him over to her bed.
He walks over and sits on the edge of the bed. Then he leans in and gives her a kiss on the lips. Their lips are locked together for a few seconds, then Meg pulls away.
“Ben, something is bothering you,” she says looking into his eyes.
“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?” he says with a smile on his face.
“No you can’t. What’s wrong?” Meg says as his smile slowly disappears.
“I…I never thought it would be this hard to give him up, but it’s the best thing for him,” he says.
“I know…I know,” she says as she places her hand on his face.
He places his hand over hers and looks into her eyes.
“You know, I couldn’t do this without you,” he says.
“I am glad I can be here to help you,” she says with a smile. “Would it help if I was there with you tomorrow?”
“Meg, I…I don’t know if it will be such a good idea. I am worried about you,” he says as he brings her hand away from his face and holds it in his hand.
“Ben, I’m fine. I went through a terrible time, but I am better and I feel even better when I am with you,” she says looking deep into his eyes and then she takes a deep breath. “I want to go home with you.”
“Are you sure about that? I just…I don’t want to put any pressure on you,” he says although he would love nothing more than for her to come home with him.
“Ben, you aren’t putting pressure on me. I’ve had a good while to think about this. I want to be with you,” she says.
“Honey, I know you do. I just…are you sure you are ready to come back to the house? I mean, that’s where he…” Ben says not able to finish his sentence.
“I know Ben. I know, but I need to face my fear,” she says with a trembling voice as a single tear escapes and rolls down her face.
“Oh, honey, I did not mean to make you upset,” he says as he bends over to hug her.
“Ben, you didn’t. Its just something I have to deal with,” she says hugging him back.
He lets go and looks her in the face.
“Okay, you can come home with me, but if it is too much for you, promise me you will tell me and I can bring you back here if you need more time, okay?” he says picking her hand back up.
“I will Ben. I promise,” she says looking into his eyes.
All of the sudden they hear a knock on Meg’s door. They look up to see Joan standing in the doorway.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?” Joan asks.
“No mom, you’re not,” Meg says with a smile.
“I made lunch for you and I thought I would bring it up before it got cold,” Joan says as she gives Meg the tray.
“Thanks mom. There is something I, or actually we, need to talk to you about,” Meg says.
“Okay,” Joan says with an uneasy look on her face as she sits down on the end of Meg’s bed.
“Mom, I want to move into Ben’s,” Meg says.
“Honey, I don’t know if that is a good idea,” Joan says.
“Mom, I know you are worried about me, but I want to be with Ben,” Meg says.
“I understand that Meg, but you are still so fragile,” Joan says.
“And I will be fragile until I face my fear and get on with my life,” Meg says.
“Joan, she’s right. I think it will be good for her to face her fear. I have already told her that if it gets to be too much, that she needs to tell me and I will bring her back here and she can come back once she feels ready again,” Ben says.
“Okay Ben. I understand that. I just…I just don’t know what Hank will say,” Joan says.
“Mom, I will talk to dad,” Meg says to her with reassurance. “This is something I have to do.”
“I understand,” Joan says, then she turns to Ben. “Please take good care of my daughter.”
“I will Joan. I promise,” he says giving her a hug.
“I know you will,” she says breaking away from the hug. Then the phone rings. “I’ll be right back. That’s the office phone.” She gets off the bed and runs out of the room.
Ben turns his attention back to Meg and then he catches a glance at her clock.
“Meg, hon, I am going to have to go. I am supposed to meet with Benjy’s mother in about 20 minutes,” he says bending over to give her a quick kiss.
“Okay, bye,” she says.
“Bye love,” he says with a smile. He starts for the door, but Meg stops him.
“Wait a second Ben,” she says.
“Yes love?” he asks.
“Come here,” she says, beckoning him back over. She places her hand on his heart.
“I know this is very hard on you, but remember, I am right here in your heart and I am always with you,” she says.
“I love you so much,” he says as he bends in to hug her.
“I love you too,” she says as she hugs him back.
He does not want to let go and neither does she. Finally, she lets him go.
“Ben, you are going to be late,” she says with a smile.
“I know,” he says with a smile as he kisses her again. “Bye, I will be back to get you later.”
“Okay. Bye,” she says still smiling as he walks out the door.
Chapter 50
Ben’s House
It’s the next day and Benjy’s mother is due to arrive at any moment. Meg is sitting on the sofa with her leg propped up. Ben is sitting across from her with Benjy in his lap talking to him.
The doorbell rings.
“Okay Benjy. You sit here in this chair while I get the door,” Ben says as he lets Benjy off his lap and goes to the door.
He opens the door and there stands a woman who looks exactly like Tess, except she has more of a motherly look to her. With her is a little girl with blond hair and her husband, Mark, whom Ben had met the day before.
“Hello Mr. Evans.”
“Hi Mrs. Johnson, please come in.”
Ben lets them in and then follows them to the living room. He watches Terri as her eyes fall on Benjy. Then he walks over to Benjy. Benjy stands up.
“Mrs. Johnson, this is Benjy,” he says quietly. Then he looks down at Benjy. “Benjy, this is your mother.”
Benjy and his mother eye each other hesitantly, then his mother speaks up.
“Hi Benjy. How are you?” she says with a smile as a tear falls down her face.
“Why are you crying?” Benjy asks.
“I am crying because I am so happy to see you.” Terri says kneeling down in front of him. “I haven’t seen you since you were a little baby.”
“Did I come out of your tummy?” he asks.
“Yes, you sure did,” she says holding his hands. Then she points to the little girl standing beside her. “This is your little sister Dana.”
Benjy looks over at Dana, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Benjy, would you like to come home with me?” Terri asks.
Benjy looks at Terri and then at Ben and bursts into tears. He turns around and grabs onto Ben.
“I don’t want to leave you daddy,” he says through his sobs.
“Son, I know you don’t, but your mommy loves you and she wants you to be with her,” he says holding onto Benjy.
“But don’t you want me?” he asks with tears in his eyes as he lets go of Ben.
“Of course I do, but I think it would be better for you to live with your mommy,” Ben says.
“I don’t want to!” Benjy yells.
“Benjy!” Ben says catching his attention. He kneels down to Benjy’s level. “I want you to listen to me. Your mommy loves you very much and she wants you to stay with her. And if it is okay with your mommy, you can come and see me anytime you want. I will always be here and I am still your family. I know this is hard for you to understand Benjy, but it is for the best.”
“Do you promise I can come see you anytime I want?” Benjy asks between sobs.
“Of course you can Benjy,” says Terri speaking up.
“See, she said that you can come anytime,” Ben says.
“Ok. I love you daddy,” Benjy says.
Ben picks him and holds him. “I love you too,” he says.
He puts Benjy down and goes to get Benjy’s things. He hands them to Mark.
“Are you ready Benjy?” Terri asks.
“Yes,” Benjy says.
“Bye Benjy,” Ben says.
“Bye Benjy,” Meg says speaking up.
“Bye daddy, Bye Meg,” Benjy says. He takes hold of his mother’s hand and follows Mark and Dana out of the door.
Ben watches them leave and closes the door behind him.
He walks over to where Meg is and sinks onto the couch beside her. The tears start to fall.
“Oh Ben,” Meg says.
She puts her arms around him and holds him close. She holds him for what seems like hours when all of the sudden the phone rings. Ben starts to get off the sofa.
“Ben, you don’t have to answer that,” Meg says.
“I’m expecting a call,” Ben says and he walks over and picks up the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hi Mr. Evans. I did what you asked.”
“And…”
“You are were right.”
“You mean…”
“Yes, you are married.”
“I can’t believe this. Thank you so much.”
“Your welcome.”
Ben hangs up the phone and turns around to face Meg.
“What was that all about…if you don’t mind me asking?” she says hesitantly.
Ben breaks into a smile. “I don’t mind at all, Mrs. Evans,” he says.
“Ben, what…wait a second, did you say Mrs. Evans?” she asks with wide eyes.
“Yes, I sure did. After I stayed at your house that night, I got to thinking about us again and I decided to look over the paperwork we were not married because of Maria coming back and I found a mistake on it. I decided to get it checked out by a good friend of mine. That was him that just called,” Ben says.
“Ben, you mean to tell me I have been your wife for all this time?” Meg asks.
“Yes, you sure have,” he says.
He goes over and gives her a huge hug. Then they start to kiss, but Meg breaks away.
“Ben, I…” she starts to say.
“Meg, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Ben says.
“Ben, you didn’t do a thing. I’m just…I’m not ready,” Meg says interrupting.
“I understand,” he says holding her close.