Sweet Revenge
by Allyson
Book 2, chapter 1 - 10
CHAPTER 1
Its three months after the wedding…
It’s early on a Monday morning. Ben has just woken up. He looks over at his wife who is his curled up beside him, her arm draped over him and he can’t help but smile. It had been a wonderful three months and the honeymoon was nowhere near close to ending. Yet, he did have to go to work, even though he would rather stay in bed all day with Meg. He carefully moved her arm off of him and then got out of bed and headed for the shower.
A little while later, Meg wakes up to the sound of running water. She smiles at the idea that comes into her mind. She gets out of bed and walks into the bathroom. She sheds her nightgown and slips into the shower.
“Well good morning,” Ben says with a smile as he takes in the sight of her.
“Good morning to you too,” Meg says as she reaches up to kiss him. He kisses her back and then proceeds down her neck. They both give into the temptation and start making love.
A little while later…
Meg is downstairs in her bathrobe making coffee. Ben comes down the stairs and into the kitchen. He wraps his arms around Meg.
“That was wonderful Mrs. Evans,” he said as he slowly made his way down her neck.
“Yes, indeed it was,” she said with a smile. “But, I don’t think you want to get something started that I know you want to finish.”
“That, my dear, is correct,” he says reluctantly as he gives her a quick kiss on the lips and reaches for the coffee pot and pours himself a cup.
“What time are you getting home tonight?” she asks Ben as she takes a sip of her coffee.
“Oh, not too late. Hopefully by 6 at the latest,” he says.
“Ok, well call me. I am going to go help out at the Shockwave today. Sara took off today, so I said I would fill in,” Meg says.
“Oh she did, did she?” he asked as he bent in to kiss her again. “And yes, I’ll call you.”
He quickly makes his way to the door.
“Ben, what about breakfast?” she asks.
“Oh, I will get something on the way. I have an early meeting and well, I am running behind,” he says with a grin. “You see, I kinda got distracted by this beautiful woman…”
“Oh, you are cute Mr. Evans,” Meg says as she kisses him goodbye. “Very cute.”
“Well, I thought so!” he said as he backed out the door.
“Get outta here!!” she says with a laugh as she steals a kiss.
“Bye, I love you,” he says.
“I love you too. Bye,” she says back. She watches him as he gets into his car and then backs out of the driveway. Then she goes back inside.
“I must be the luckiest woman alive,” she thinks to herself. Then she goes back to drinking her cup of coffee and then starts fixing herself a bagel. She finishes fixing her bagel and starts to take it over to the table when she gets hit by a wave of dizziness.
“Wow…” she says as she places her stuff on the table and sits in a chair. She places her head in her hands for a few minutes and then the dizziness slowly went away.
“I hope I am not getting sick,” she says out loud and then all of the sudden she bolts for the bathroom.
Little did she know, she wasn’t sick…
CHAPTER 2
Later that morning…
Meg has just gotten to the Shockwave. She joins Joan behind the counter. Joan finishes taking an order and then turns to Meg.
"Hi honey," she says and then she notices how pale Meg looks. "Are you feeling okay?"
"No, not really. I haven't felt all that great this morning," Meg says.
"Honey, if you don't feel well, maybe you should go on home," Joan says.
"No, Mom. I'll be okay. Plus you need me here since you don't have Sara," Meg says.
"Oh honey, don't worry about that. We'll be okay. Amy is coming in later, so she'll help," Joan says.
"Are you sure Mom?" Meg asks.
"Honey, I am sure. Why don't you go home and get some rest?" Joan asks.
"I think I will. Wow…" Meg says grabbing the countertop.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Joan says putting an arm on her daughter.
"I'm okay. I'm just…dizzy," Meg says.
"Sweetie, I don't know if I like the idea of you driving home," Joan says.
"Mom, it'll pass. I've already gotten dizzy once this morning and then after that I…" Meg says and then putting her hand over her mouth, she runs to the bathroom.
Joan starts to go after her when all of the sudden she hears Hank behind her.
"Why was Meg running like that?" he asks.
"Hon, I think she is sick. I am going to check on her. Can you do me a favor and stay out here for a little while?" she asks.
"Sure Joanie," he says and steps behind the counter.
Joan goes into the bathroom and finds Meg standing at the sink.
"Honey, are you okay?" she asks.
"I think so. I just don't feel good at all," Meg says.
"I think you should probably go on home and rest then," Joan says sympathetically.
"Okay Mom. I just…I feel bad leaving you and Dad…" Meg says trailing off.
"Honey, don't worry. We are fine and I would much rather you be at home resting instead of here and miserable," Joan says.
"All right Mom. I'll go say bye to Dad," she says walking towards the door.
Joan follows Meg out of the bathroom. Meg says bye to her dad and heads on home.
A couple days later…
Meg is sitting in the doctor's office waiting for test results. After being miserable for two days, Meg decided to find out what was going on. She had been waiting for Tyus for what seemed like an eternity when she heard the door being opened.
"Hi Meg," he says coming into the room. "I have some good news for you, you aren't sick."
"I'm not? Then what is going on?" she asks.
"Meg, you're going to be a mom," he says with a smile.
"A mom? I'm pregnant," she asks with wide eyes.
"Yes, you sure are," Tyus says.
"Oh, this is wonderful. I…I don't know what to say," she says smiling.
"I do. Go tell your husband," he says with a laugh.
"Oh, you are right. This is so exciting! I can't wait to tell him!" Meg says beaming. She grabs her purse and heads for the door. Then she turns around.
"Thanks Tyus!" she says.
"Meg, I didn't do it for ya. You made it happen. Congratulations!" he says smiling.
"Thank you. Good-bye!" she says and heads out the door.
"Bye Meg!" Tyus says.
CHAPTER 3
Ben has just gotten home from work. He finds a note on the front door.
Ben,
Dinner is on the deck.
Come on around.
Love, Meg
Ben takes the note off of the door and goes around back. He finds Meg on the deck setting the table. She is wearing a red, sleeveless dress and red pumps. Her hair is down and loose.
"Hi love," he says as he comes up the steps. "You look wonderful!"
"Hi, thank you!" Meg says looking up. She walks over to Ben and reaches up and plants a kiss on his lips. He returns the favor and they remain lip locked for what seems like an eternity even though it was only thirty seconds.
"Mmm…I hate to break away, but I've got to get dinner before it burns," Meg says.
"Wait a second," Ben says grabbing her before she can get away. "Why are we eating out here and why are you so dressed up?"
"Oh, I just wanted to do something different and its absolutely beautiful out here," Meg says with a smile. "Now, why don't you sit down and get comfy, I will be right back."
"Ok, one more kiss," he says as he pulls her in for another lip lock.
She finally pulls away even though she doesn't want to. "Honey, I hate to do this, but dinner is going to burn."
"Alright…" he says reluctantly.
"I'll be right back," she says running her finger across his cheek and then she disappears into the house.
Ben goes over to the table and pours himself a glass of wine. "Why do I have a feeling that my beautiful wife is up to something?" he asks himself as he sits down in the chair.
A few minutes later, Meg reappears with their dinner. As they eat, they marvel at the beauty of the sunset.
After they finish eating, Meg starts to clear the table. Ben gets up to help her, but she stops him before he can go in the house.
"Ben, wait, don't go in there!" Meg says.
"Why not?" he asks.
"I…uh…have a surprise for you," she says with a smile.
"Really?" he says grinning.
"Yes, really, and you are not getting it out of me," she says.
"Wanna bet?" he asks and he grabs her and starts tickling her.
"Ben!" Meg shrieks with laughter. "You are going to make me drop everything!"
"Okay, okay…I'll stop," he says laughing.
"Thank you," she says taking a breath. "I'll be right back."
Before she can get to the door, he lunges for her.
"I swear Ben Evans, you try that…and I'll…I'll…you'll just regret it," Meg says getting flustered.
"Okay love, whatever you say! I'll be waiting!" he says with a grin and sits down to wait for her.
Meg takes the dishes in and puts them in the sink. Then she goes into the living room and makes sure everything is ready. Then she goes back to the kitchen to get the special dessert and takes it into the living room. She sets it in its spot.
"Showtime!" Meg says out loud and she goes to get Ben.
CHAPTER 4
Meg goes outside to get Ben.
"Okay, I am going to blindfold you," Meg says.
"Do you have to?" Ben asks.
"Yes, I do!" Meg says with a giggle and ties the bandana around his head.
"Okay, can you see anything?"
"Nope," Ben says.
"Are you sure?" Meg asks.
"I'm sure," Ben says.
"Okay, lets go," Meg says. She helps him get out of the chair and leads him into the house and into the living room. She gets him to sit on the sofa and then she removes the blindfold.
Ben blinks to clears his vision and then he looks around the room at the candles that are in various places in the living room. He realizes they are blue and pink.
Then he notices an arrangement of flowers on the mantle. They are blue and pink with a little bit of baby's breath thrown in.
Then he looks up at Meg who is smiling.
"Honey, are you going to eat your dessert?" she asks.
Ben looks down and sees his dessert, which is covered in Reynolds Wrap.
"Why did you cover it?" he asks looking at her.
"Oh, you'll see," she says still smiling.
He takes off the Reynolds Wrap and his eyes get wide. In the middle of the pan was the word DAD, spelled out in strawberries and whip cream, Ben's favorite dessert.
"Dad? I'm gonna be a dad?" he says looking at Meg with wide eyes.
"Yes, you are going to be a dad!" Meg says excitedly.
"That's wonderful!" Ben yells with joy and he grabs Meg up in his arms and swings her around.
"Whoa Ben! I still have morning sickness, even at night!" Meg says giggling.
"I'm sorry honey! I am just so excited!" he says planting a big kiss on her lips.
"I know you are! You have no idea how much it took for me not to tell you before now!" Meg says laughing.
"I can imagine! We need to tell mom and dad and…and Sara and Casey," Ben says as he leaps for the phone.
Ben starts to dial the Cummings and Meg stands back and watches him with a look of love.
"He is just so happy and so excited!" she thinks to herself. "I just love him so much!"
She goes over and Ben puts his arm around her as they both talk to the Cummings to tell them the good news.
CHAPTER 5
Weeks turned into months as it grew closer and closer to Meg’s due date. She started to show more and more and the excitement grew for her and Ben, especially because they decided that they wanted the sex of the baby to be a surprise.
It’s the day before Meg’s due date…
Ben has just arrived home from work. Meg is lying on the sofa.
“Hi love,” he says as he walks over to her and sits on the edge of the sofa. “How do you feel?”
“I’m okay…just tired,” Meg says.
“I am glad to hear it,” he says planting a kiss on her forehead.
“Ow!” Meg shrieks.
“Honey, what is it?” Ben asks with concern.
“This little one just kicked the living daylights out of me!” Meg says.
“Oh!” Ben says with a smile. “I thought you were going to tell me you were having contractions!”
“Nope, not yet,” Meg says smiling back. “Oh, there it is again!”
Ben places his hand on her stomach and feels the baby kicking. Then Lilah, the new housekeeper, walks into the room.
“Mr. and Mrs. Evans, dinner is ready,” she says.
“Thanks Lilah,” Ben says. “And feel free to call us Ben and Meg.”
“Okay, Mr…uh Ben,” she says with a small smile. “Would you and Meg like to eat here in the living room?
“No, we will eat in the dining room. I need to walk around a little anyway,” Meg says.
“Okay Meg, I will bring dinner out to you both,” Lilah says.
“Oh!” Meg says loudly.
“What is it Meg?” Lilah says nervously.
“The baby kicked again,” she says with a grin. “Would you like to feel?”
“I…uh, yes I would like that!” Lilah says smiling. She places her hand on Meg’s stomach. “Oh, you have quite a little kicker in there!”
“Yes, I certainly do!” Meg says with a grin. “Well, I think its time this little kicker and I ate.”
“Yes, dad agrees!” Ben says. He helps Meg off of the couch and they go to the dining room. Lilah goes and gets their dinner.
Its 4 in the morning…
Meg is pacing back and forth because she can’t sleep. “I hope I don’t wake Ben up,” she thinks to herself as she looks over at the bed.
Ben starts to stir and then opens his eyes. Meg is about to tell him to go back to sleep when she gets hit by a powerful pain.
“Wow…Ben!” she says as she grabs onto the bed.
“Meg!” Ben says as he jumps out of bed and eases her onto the bed.
“I…I think its time!” Meg says holding her stomach.
“Okay honey!” Ben says as he jumps into his clothes.
He grabs her pre-prepared bag out of the closet and then they make their way slowly down the steps. Lilah, who heard Meg yell out, is standing at the bottom of the steps.
“Ben, is it time?” she asks.
“Yes, it sure is!” Ben says. “Do me a favor, call Joan and Hank and let them know what is going on.”
“I will do that. Get Meg to that hospital Ben!” she says.
“We are going!” Ben says as he gets Meg out of the house and leads her to the car.
4 hours later…
“Okay, Meg, we are almost there. One more big push!” Tyus says.
Ben and the nurse support her back and sit her up. She grabs Ben’s hand.
“Okay, Meg, push!” Tyus says.
“Come on honey, you can do it!” Ben says.
Meg starts to push.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Meg yells pushing as hard as she can.
She is rewarded by the wail of her new baby.
The nurse and Ben ease her back down.
Tyus holds up the baby. “You have a beautiful baby girl!”
Meg’s eyes fill with tears as Ben steps up to cut the umbilical cord.
Tyus hands the baby to the nurse, who cleans her up a bit and then she wraps the baby up in a blanket and hands her to her mom.
Meg looks down at her newborn and can’t believe that this is the little one she has been carrying for nine months.
“Oh Ben, she’s so beautiful!” Meg says with a smile.
“She sure is. She is beautiful just like her mama,” Ben says as he leans down and kisses Meg on the lips and then they both smile down at their newborn.
Its a few hours later…
Meg has just fallen asleep. The excitement of the day as finally knocked her out. Ben is sitting in the chair beside her, holding their little girl. He looks down at the big blue eyes that are staring up at him and he can’t help but smile.
“Well, Miss Abigail Rose, I think your mom and I did a fine job with you!” he says.
He is answered by a loud wail.
“Oh, I think someone is sleepy,” Ben says as he rocks her gently. Then he starts to hum Rock A Bye Baby to her and she slowly falls asleep.
Unbeknownst to him, Meg was awakened by the wail, but with a smile on her face, she to was lulled asleep by the low humming of Rock A Bye Baby.
CHAPTER 6
Two days later. Ben and Meg have just arrived home with their new daughter.
Joan, Hank, Sara, Casey, and Lilah are all at the house.
“Welcome home!” Joan says as she greets them at the door.
“Hi mom!” Meg says as she comes in the door with Abby and hugs Joan. Ben does the same and then they greet everyone else.
As soon as everything settles down, Joan speaks up.
"Meg, Ben, we have a gift for you all from all of us,” she says.
“Mom, you shouldn’t have. You’ve already given us so much. All of you have,” Meg says as she smiles at all of them.
“Honey, this is something I, well your father and I, decided that we wanted to give to you when you had children. We all worked on it for you,” Joan says.
She walks over to something covered with a sheet.
“Honey, I want you to come over and take the sheet off,” Joan says.
Meg is about to hand the baby to Ben when Joan stops her.
“I want you both to open this together,” she says.
Meg hands Abby to her granddaddy. She and Ben go over to where Joan is standing and take off the sheet.
Under the sheet is a beautiful wooden cradle with a white bunny on each end. Inside was a pink blanket with little white bunnies embroidered on it and a little, white pillow.
“Mom, everybody, it’s beautiful!” Meg says and she hugs her mom.
“Honey, it’s the same cradle I brought you and your sister home to,” Joan says.
“Is it really? Oh mom, I love it!” she says and hugs Joan again.
“It truly is beautiful,” Ben says. “I want to think you all for everything you have done for Meg, Abby, and I.”
“You are very welcome…son,” Hank says as he places a hand on Ben’s shoulder.
Sara, who now has Abby, Casey, and Lilah join them as they all admire the cradle.
“Ben, Meg, Lilah made this blanket for Abby,” Joan says.
“Did you really Lilah?” Meg asks.
“Yes, they told me their plans and I thought the cradle could use a new blanket to go with it,” Lilah says smiling.
“Thank you so much!” Meg says and she and Ben both give Lilah a hug.
Then Sara speaks up.
“I think we should let Abby try it out,” she says. “I’ll let you do the honors mom!”
She hands the baby to Meg. Meg places Abby in the cradle and gives it a little tap so that it gently rocks.
Joan watches with tears in her eyes as she remembers placing Meg in that same cradle.
Hank remembers as well and as a single tear wets his eye, he puts his arm around Joan and says a silent prayer for Ben and Meg as they start their new family.
CHAPTER 7
It’s six months later. Lilah is on vacation, so Meg is fixing dinner for her and Ben. She has already fed Abby.
Meg has just finished tossing the salad when she hears Abby crying.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Meg says as she takes Abby out of the playpen.
Abby curls up against Meg and yawns.
“I think it’s time we got you ready for bed,” Meg says and she takes Abby upstairs.
A few minutes later, Ben arrives home from work.
“Honey, I’m home,” he says.
“We’ll be down in a few minutes. Dinner’s ready,” Meg says from upstairs.
“Alright hon,” Ben says putting his briefcase down on his desk and then sitting on the sofa to relax.
A couple minutes later, Meg brings Abby downstairs.
“Well, there’s daddy’s little angel,” Ben says with a smile and walks over to meet them at the bottom of the steps.
At the sound of his voice, Abby raises her head off of Meg’s shoulder and spots Ben. The she proceeds to reach out to her daddy.
“Well daddy, I think someone is anxious to see you,” Meg says with a laugh.
“Yes, and her daddy is anxious to see her and her mommy!” Ben says with a smile.
He gives Meg a kiss and then takes the impatient Abby out of Meg’s hands.
Abby smiles and starts to pat Ben’s face with her pudgy little hands, but when one hand pats his mouth, he kisses her hand and she squeals with delight.
Ben and Meg both laugh and then Ben goes back to playing with Abby. Meg stands nearby and just watches them with a smile on her face, thinking of how wonderful they both are and how much she loves them both. Then Ben interrupts her thoughts.
“Come here you,” Ben says to Meg with a smile on his face. “I want both of my girls with me.”
She joins Ben and Abby who are now sitting on the sofa and with Ben’s arm around her and Abby in Ben’s lap beside her, she couldn’t be happier.
Then the buzzer goes off.
“Bingggggggggg!”
“Oh, I guess that means dinner is ready,” Meg says. “You stay right here. I’ll go check on it.”
“Alright honey,” Ben says stealing another kiss before Meg can go to the kitchen.
“I’ll be back,” Meg says and she gets up and goes to the kitchen.
She is gone for a few minutes and then reappears in the living room. Abby is sound asleep in Ben’s arms and Ben is singing softly to her.
“I guess she finally stopped fighting it,” Meg whispers with a smile.
“Yeah, she’s gone,” he says looking down at Abby and then he looks up at Meg. “Let’s take her up together.”
They take Abby to her room and put her in her crib. Meg covers her with her blanket and together she and Ben watch their little girl sleep.
A few hours later…
Dinner plates are sitting on the living room table and the credits of a movie that just ended are scrolling across the tv screen.
All of that is forgotten as Ben stares down at his wife, who is sound asleep, laying beside him on the sofa. He plays with her hair and then he kisses her on top of her head.
The touch of his kiss wakes her up and she turns to face him, a smile on her face.
“Did I miss the rest of the movie?” she says.
“Uh huh. And I was too interested in watching you sleep, so I missed it too,” Ben says.
“Did you really?” Meg asks.
“I sure did,” Ben says.
“Hmmm…I think its time we went upstairs. What do you think Mr. Evans?” Meg asks with a grin.
“I think its time we go up to,” he says.
They both get off the sofa and Meg notices the dishes on the table.
“Oh, I forgot all about the dishes. I guess I better do them,” Meg says.
She picks up the plates and starts to head to the kitchen, but Ben sweeps her off her feet.
“Ben!” she squeals.
He silences her with a long kiss and after taking the plates from her, he proceeds to take her upstairs.
“Oh, the hell with the dishes!” Meg says with a smile.
Ben laughs and carries her up to their room. He lays her gently on the bed and they both start to undress, soon discarding all of their clothes on the floor. They make love until all of their energy is gone and soon fall asleep in each other’s arms.
************************************
Let’s Make Love – Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Baby I’ve been drifting away
And dreaming all day
Of holding you, touching you
The only thing I wanna do is be with you
As close to you as I can be
Chorus:
Let’s make love
All night long
Until our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go
Until the sun comes up
Let’s make love
Do you know what you do to me
Everything inside of me
Is wanting you, needing you
I’m so in love with you
Look in my eyes
Let’s get lost tonight
In each other
Chorus:
Let’s make love
All night long
Until our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go
Until the sun comes up
Let’s make love
CHAPTER 8
Two and a half weeks have passed. It’s 11:30 a.m. Lilah is in the kitchen preparing lunch for Abby and Benjy, who is down visiting before school starts. Meg has just walked into the kitchen.
“Hi guys,” she says.
“Are you sure you have to leave?” Benjy asks Meg, a disappointed look on his face.
“Yes Benjy. I have to go to my doctor’s appointment, but I promise I will play on the beach with you and Abby all day tomorrow, okay?” she says.
“Okay,” he says still looking disappointed.
“Oh come on Benjy, bring that head up and show me a smile,” Meg says smiling at Benjy.
Benjy looks up and gives her a smile.
“Now that is more like it,” she says ruffling his hair. “Now Miss Abby, you must be good for Miss Lilah.”
Abby responds with a smile and then throws a piece of food at Meg.
“Abigail Evans!” Meg says sternly.
Abby smiles and Meg can’t help but smile back at her.
“Oh, who am I kidding? You have me wrapped around your little finger,” Meg says with a laugh.
She gives Abby a kiss on top of her head, tells Lilah and Benjy goodbye, and then gets on her way.
An hour and a half later…
Ben is in his office going over some paperwork when he hears the door to the office open.
“Come in,” he says looking up. It was Meg. She closes and locks the door behind her.
“Hi love,” he says.
Meg walks over, sits in his lap, and plants a huge kiss on his lips.
“Mmmm…now to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” he says.
“Well Mr. Evans, I was planning on surprising you with lunch today, but I have an even bigger surprise than that,” Meg says, a smile on her face.
“What could be bigger than lunch?” he says and starts to kiss her neck.
“Ben! I promise it’s bigger!” Meg says, enjoying the little nibbles on her neck.
“Well, tell me then,” he says.
Meg hesitates for a moment and then blurts it out. “I’m pregnant!”
Ben stops in mid-nibble. “What? Again?” he says shocked.
“Yes!” Meg says, a happy tear in her eye.
“That’s…that’s wonderful!” Ben says with a big smile and kisses Meg.
“I’m 2 and a half weeks pregnant,” she says.
“Two and a half weeks? That means…” Ben says.
“That means I conceived the baby the night we made love while Lilah was gone,” Meg says.
“Oh Meg…I am just so happy. Another baby…we have to tell mom and dad,” Ben says reaching for the phone.
Meg places her hand over his.
“We will…we will, but I just…I want to savor this moment for just a little while longer,” she says softly.
She cups her hands around his face and pulls him forward and kisses him. He kisses her back and then picks her up in his arms and takes her over to the couch. He lays her down gently and proceeds to take off her shirt. Soon all of their clothes are gone and they make love on Ben’s couch in his office.
CHAPTER 9
A while later…
Ben and Meg arrive home at the same time and holding hands, they walk up to the front door. They share a quick kiss on the doorstep and then Meg goes to open the door, but she stops.
“That’s funny,” Meg says staring at the door, which is partly open.
“What’s funny?” Ben asks.
“The door is partly open. Lilah never leaves it open,” Meg says with a worried look. “Ben, something is not right.”
Meg pushes her way into the house and calls out to Lilah and Benjy.
“Lilah! Benjy!” she yells out.
Silence.
“Ben, I’m really worried now,” Meg says.
“So am I honey,” he says and then they hear a muffled moan.
“What was that?” Meg says, grabbing onto Ben’s hand.
“I don’t know, but it sounds like it is coming from the kitchen,” Ben says.
He and Meg go to the kitchen and he pushes the door open.
“Lilah! My god!” he says finding Lilah sprawled on the floor, gagged and tied up.
He and Meg take off Lilah’s gag and remove the ropes.
“Lilah, what happened? Where are Abby and Benjy?” Meg says frantically.
“Get away from me,” she shrieks as soon as she can speak and starts to move away from Ben.
“Lilah, calm down. What happened?” Ben says.
“It was you…you took them,” she says, her eyes wild.
“Took who? Where are Abby and Benjy?” Ben persists.
“You know where they are,” she says with fear. “You took them and you tied me up.”
“Lilah, listen to me…there must be a mistake,” Meg says. “He’s been with me the whole time.”
Lilah looks from Meg to Ben.
“But that’s impossible, he was here…” she says moving farther away from Ben not knowing what to do.
“He’s been with me, there is no way…” Meg says and then it hits her when she sees the look in Ben’s eyes. “Oh God, you don’t think…oh please god no.”
Lilah remains still, her heart beating wildly, as she looks from Ben to Meg waiting for an explanation.
“Ben, he’s dead. You said so,” Meg says, tears filling up her eyes.
“I know…I knew I should have seen him for myself. There was just too much going on…oh god, he survived it,” Ben says, a look of fear on his face.
“Who are you talking about?” Lilah asks.
“Lilah, I have a twin. We…we thought he was dead,” Ben says.
“You thought he was dead? I don’t understand,” Lilah says, still not sure of what to do.
“Lilah, some things happened to us before we got married and there was an accident. We thought Derek had been killed, but apparently he wasn’t,” Ben says.
“You mean…I am so sorry Ben,” Lilah says.
“It’s okay. You had every right to be scared,” Ben says and then he notices Meg looking at something.
“Meg, what is that?” he says going to where Meg is kneeling on the floor. She is holding a piece of paper.
“Ben, it was Derek. He took our baby and he took Benjy,” Meg says, her eyes re-filling with tears.
She hands the note to Ben and putting his arm around her, he reads it for himself.
“Meg,” he says turning to face her. “We are going to get them back. I promise you that and you know I always keep my promises.”
“I believe you Ben,” Meg says, wiping her face. “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know honey, I don’t know,” he says.
“This is all my fault. I am so sorry,” Lilah says speaking up.
“Lilah, no, it’s not your fault,” Meg says placing her hand on Lilah’s. “Derek is an evil man. He is the one at fault, not you.”
“I just…I couldn’t protect them. Benjy…he was so scared and Abby…she just kept reaching for me, but that woman…that woman took her away,” Lilah says.
“Woman? What woman?” Ben asks.
“She was brunette like you Meg, but taller and…and Benjy acted like he knew her. He ran from her, but that man…he caught him,” Lilah says.
Ben and Meg both look at each other knowing exactly what the other is thinking when the phone rings.
Ben grabs the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hello brother dear.”
CHAPTER 10
Ben is on the phone with Derek.
“You bastard! Where are Abby and Benjy?” Ben asks, the anger rising in his voice.
“They are here with me, safe and sound,” Derek says cheerfully.
“I swear if you so much as touch them, I’ll kill you,” Ben snarls.
“Now, now brother dear, don’t be so vicious. I would never hurt my son or the darling Abby,” Derek says.
“I want my daughter back and my nephew and I am prepared to hunt you down and kill you myself if I have to,” Ben yells.
“Oh, you won’t find me. I have covered my tracks well. I have finally succeeded in beating you and I win,” Derek says, laughing loudly.
Ben starts screaming at Derek into the phone. Then Meg takes the phone from him.
“Derek, please bring my baby and Benjy back. I…I will do anything you want, just please bring them back,” Meg says with tears streaming down her face.
“Meg! NO!” Ben yells and tries to get the phone back from Meg, but Meg holds on.
“Derek…Please!” Meg pleads.
“Its an interesting offer that you presented to me, but you know I have always wanted a daughter so I think I will keep her and her big brother,” Derek says.
Then the line goes dead.
“NO!” Meg wails and drops the phone.
“Meg, what did he say?” Ben asks putting his hands on her shoulders.
“Ben, he’s going to keep them. He never intends on bringing them back,” Meg sobs out.
Ben puts his arms around her and as she sobs against him, he vows that he will get his daughter and nephew back…
“…and my brother will pay,” he says out loud.
An hour later…
Ben is sitting on the couch with his arm protectively around Meg who is curled up beside him. Lilah is sitting on the other side of Meg. Ricardo has been talking to them for the past 45 minutes. He has told them that around 7 months before, they had found out there was a leak somewhere in the force and that it had taken them almost 6 months to track down the guy because he had covered his tracks so well.
“So, do you think this guy had something to do with Derek?” Ben asks.
“I believe he did and I wish I had found that out so I could have prevented this from happening,” Ricardo says.
“Ricardo, don’t blame this on yourself,” Ben says reassuringly. “Derek is the one to blame here and no one else.”
“Except maybe my sister,” Ricardo says.
“Ricardo, we do not know that for sure. Don’t beat yourself up,” Ben says.
Before Ricardo can respond, Sara, Casey, Joan, and Hank charge through the front door.
“Mom! Dad!” Meg yells and runs and puts her arms around both of them.
“Honey! What happened? What’s going on?” Joan asks as she and Hank hold onto their daughter.
“Mom, he…he took my baby and Benjy. I tried to get to a phone to call yall, but things were so crazy around here and I just…I’m so scared,” Meg says crying.
“Oh Meg! Who…who has them?” Joan asks.
“D…Derek,” Meg says.
“No! It can’t be,” Hank says, his anger rising.
“It is…I want my baby,” Meg says as fresh tears fall.
“Meg,” Ben says coming up behind her.
Meg turns around to face him. “Have they found anything out?” she asks.
“No honey, not yet, but they are doing everything they possibly can. We will get them back, I promise you that,” he says and then he wraps his arms around her and holds her tight.
Everyone is silent for a few moments and then Joan speaks up.
“Ben, have you called Terri?” Joan asks.
Oh God…I need to do that,” he says stilling holding on tightly to Meg.
Ricardo comes up from behind them.
“Ben, it is taken care of. I took the liberty of calling them for you and they are on their way. One of my officers will pick them up when they arrive at the airport,” he says.
“Thank you Ricardo,” Ben says and then leads Meg back over to the couch.
A few hours later…
Ben has just gotten Meg to lie down and rest for a little while in their bed. Confident she will be okay with Joan, he heads down stairs and to the kitchen where everyone is.
“How is she?” Hank says looking up.
“She’s resting. Joan is going to stay with her. I don’t want her to be alone,” Ben says. Then he looks at Ricardo. “Have you found out anything?”
“Nothing yet Ben,” Ricardo says.
Ben walks over and sits down at the kitchen table. The only sound that can be heard is the steady ticking of the clock. It seems to go on forever when all of the sudden, the silence is interrupted by the ringing of the phone.
“Ben, you answer it,” Ricardo says as he turns on the tracer.
“Hello,” Ben says.
“Uncle Ben?”
“Benjy?”
“I want to go home.”
“I know you do Benjy. Can you tell me where you are?”
“I don’t know. I just want to go home.”
Ben has to fight to keep his control.
“Benjy, please think for me. Do you know where you are?”
Benjy is quiet for a moment as he looks around.
“I…I see a store.”
“Good Benjy. What is the name of that store?”
“Its…” Then the line goes dead.
“Benjy!” Ben yells into the phone, but there is no answer. “He’s gone. I lost him.”
At that same moment, Ricardo is on his phone trying to see if the call was traced.
“Did you get enough?” Ricardo says and then listens for a moment. “Good. Where?”
Ricardo then hangs up the phone.
“They’re in San Francisco,” he says.