Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Starting over chapter 21

Chapter twenty one

Meg excused herself and went to Ben’s office to pick her purse up. She had a little early Christmas present for Ben in it. Ben on the other hand was busy with his last minute preparations for their Christmas Eve dinner in the wine cellar. Meg came back to the bar which now was empty expect from Roger who came towards Meg with a glass of wine “Ben said to give this to you, let you know he’s downstairs and then get out of here” Meg smiled “Well then, thank you for the wine and Merry Christmas to you and your family” she said “Merry Christmas to you too” Roger said and then he left. Meg went towards the wine cellar. She found a white rose tied to the handle and as she opened the door there were a white rose on every step for the first set of stairs. She opened the second door and the roses continued to decorate the steps, but now there was a little box attached to each and everyone. Meg opened the first one and found a pearl, she looked up and saw Ben standing at the end of the stairs “A few extra this week because it’s Christmas” he smiled. Meg slowly picked them all up “You spoil me Ben Evans” she said before she kissed him. When they parted Ben showed Meg to the table where he pulled the chair out for her before he sat down himself “It’s nice to finally be able to be alone” he took her hand and kissed her fingers “I’ve missed you a lot lately” Meg smiled back at him “I’ve missed you too, but tomorrow we got the whole day together” “It will really be strange” Ben admitted “It’s only been me and Derek for a lot of years now” “Not any girlfriends?” Meg asked “No, somehow it’s not turned out that way” “Well, then I maybe should prepare you, we’re pretty strong in our wills when it comes to Christmas. No one touches mom’s turkey and God help the one that even goes near dad’s eggnog” Ben laughed “Sounds like a perfect way to spend Christmas, not doing anything” Meg shook her head “No way, the dishes is always the children’s bit and you and Derek are children too now” Meg sipped her wine “Mmm this was nice” “You think?” Ben asked “It’s a new one and I thought maybe we could have it with dinner tomorrow” “That sounds great, I think it will go well with the turkey”

Meg opened her purse “I’ve got something for you too” she said and handed Ben a box “You didn’t have to” Ben kissed her softly “Thank you” “Go ahead, open it” she told him as she put her pearls into the purse. Ben unwrapped the gift and lifted the top of the box off and inside he found a watch “Thank you Meg, it’s lovely” “I noticed that you’ve left the watch behind quite a bit or just put it in the pocket so I took a look at it and saw the buckle was broken so I thought this was something you’d need” Ben smiled “You sure notice the small details don’t you?” “Try it on” she urged him and Ben took it out of the box and put it on “It looks great” Meg got up and sat down in Ben’s lap. She put her arms around his neck and leant in for a kiss “Merry Christmas Ben” she said. “Merry Christmas to you too” Ben said when they pulled apart “Are you ready to go home?” “Yes I am” Meg said and stood up.
Early the next morning Meg woke up when she heard the doorbell. She looked at the alarm clock and it was already 8.30. She pulled on her robe and went downstairs. When she arrived there Ben had already opened the door and let the guests in “Mom, Dad you’re here” Meg rushed over to hug first her father “Merry Christmas Meggie” Hank kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas” Meg said back and hugged her mother too. Ben was in his jogging clothes “Have you already been out?” she asked “No, I was on my way when the doorbell rang” he kissed her cheek “Good morning my love” “Good morning and Merry Christmas” Meg said back “I should go get dressed” “You do that and then you can show me where everything is and I will get started on the turkey” Joan said. Ben excused himself and went for his morning jog along the beach. When Meg returned downstairs she followed the smell of coffee to the kitchen. “So, how was the flight?” she asked her parents as she poured herself a cup and offered them refills. “It was good, when we finally took off” her father said “I’m so happy it stopped snowing” Joan filled in “I don’t know what a Christmas without my girls would be like” “Well you didn’t have to find out this year at least” Meg smiled. She showed her mom where everything was and then she went to check things out at the hotel. Christmas or not they still had guests and it made her happy.

Meg returned home just in time to set the table. She took out a tablecloth she had gotten from her grandmother a few years back and Joan got tears in her eyes when she saw it “We’ve had many happy Christmas dinners with tablecloth” she sighed “Too bad she didn’t feel like traveling” Meg said “Well you know how she is, she likes to be close to home” Meg hugged her mother “I hope she will come for the wedding though, and to meet Sarah’s baby” she paused “And the weather back in Kansas is better then too” “That’s true Meg. It’s really lovely that you want to use this tablecloth” Meg smiled “Now I just have to see where Ben keeps his good china, that I’ve never looked for” Ben came down the stairs “Did I hear my name?” he walked over and kissed Meg on the cheek “You sure did, we need to set the table” “And…” Ben teased her “Well I don’t think grandma would appreciate if we eat directly off the table cloth, don’t think she intended that to happen when she gave it to me” Meg said sarcastically and went on “So where do you keep the good china?” “You’re sure I’ve got any?” “Ben don’t scare me like that” Meg looked at him with fear in her eyes. “Sorry to say Meg, but I don’t have any. I only have glasses” Meg almost panicked and started to think about getting to the hotel and get some plates there, or using the everyday china “Our mother had some old china and glasses and since I’ve got the glasses Derek’s got the china” Meg realized she had been holding her breath “Then get over there and borrow it” she gently pushed him towards the door.

The china story was one of the topics around the dinner table “Well Meg, now you know what you can register for” Joan said “Yes” she agreed and looked at Ben “And I think I will drag Ben with me to all the shops to look at patterns” she teased and leant over and rested her head on his shoulder. Ben took her hand “Really? I’m not that particular, it can be your choice” Meg looked at him but couldn’t hide the smile “Oh it will be my choice, but you still have to come along” everyone started laughing and Meg turned to her sister “I think I’ll bring you along Sarah, that way you can go wish for presents for your baby shower” she said “Oh, a baby shower” Joan sighed “My big girl is getting married and my little one is having a baby, what great gifts we’ll get next year” Hank patted her hand in support as Ben stood up at the table “Since we’ve all finished and the ladies cooked all this great food I only think it’s fair that we” he looked at Hank and Derek “at least clear the table” Meg, Sarah and Joan went to sit in the sofa as they did and when they came back it was time for presents. It was a mix of bought and homemade gifts and when all gifts from under the tree was shared Ben walked over to the mantelpiece of the fireplace “Now, Derek and I got one more gift” he said and turned towards Joan and Hank “I know you both have worked hard all your life and you are proud of it and so you shall be. Your farm is a great place to come and relax and I hope we can do that for many years more” he moved over and stood just behind Meg “Meg and Sarah’s made a fantastic renovation to their hotel and they’ve both settled in here in Sunset Beach quickly in the short time they’ve been here” he nodded towards his brother “Derek and I have been both lucky and successfully with what we’ve done in our lives and got more than our fair share of money” he again looked at Hank and Joan “Considering my wedding to Meg and the birth of Derek and Sarah’s baby I know that, especially you Joan, will like to be able to come here more often so” he handed them the envelope “This is from me and Derek and I hope you will use them all” Hank opened the envelope “It’s 10 open tickets to use whenever you feel like flying out here, they’re not personalized so you can use them as you like” he put a hand on Meg’s shoulders “And when it’s time for the Christening and then for the wedding we’d like to help out with bringing the girl’s grandmother here too” Hank stood up and shook hands with both guys and Joan hugged and kissed them both “Thank you so much” she said and Hank looked at them “Thank you, I’m not going to be that proud that I’m not going to accept this more than generous gift” Meg got up and kissed Ben on the cheek “Thank you Ben, this was so thoughtful of you” still in his arms she turned and faced Derek “You too”
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

Starting over chapter 20

Chapter twenty

Meg set up her laptop on Ben’s desk and decided to work a bit before bed and that was where Ben found her when he arrived home “Even better in real life, than the photo id on my cell phone” Ben said and Meg spun around “You’re back” she beamed and rushed up to hug and kiss him “I’ve missed you so much Ben” she said in between the kisses. Ben took a deep breath “I’ve missed you too, I don’t know if I ever want to be away from you again” he swept her up in his arms and carried her upstairs.
The next couple of months went by fast. Ben and Derek made a quick trip to England to sort out the affairs with the estate. Meg and Sarah were busy with the hotel. In between they all managed to fly to Kansas for Thanksgiving since Joan wouldn’t have it any other way.

Since Meg had moved into Ben’s house the house she and Sarah owned was now occupied by the employees of the hotel if they needed a place to stay and both Sarah and Meg was happy about that since they didn’t really want to part from the house. One of the tenants though was Casey Mitchum the lifeguard and he was a wizard when it came to getting things fixed around the place.
Ben was sitting at the desk in the living room when Meg got back home “Are you home?” she asked and kissed him “Yes, I couldn’t get any work done in the office and I really need to wrap this Christmas party up” Meg sat down in his lap “I think you’re going to make a lot of children happy with this Christmas Eve party” Ben stroke some hair out of Meg’s face “For as long as I’ve arranged this event I’ve never felt like doing it as much as I have this year. And with you by my side I know nothing can go wrong” he kissed her softly “You’re hungry?” he asked and Meg shook her head and kissed him on the neck. “Oh Meg” Ben moaned and unwillingly pushed her away “Meg darling, I really need to finish this” he said but gave in to her kisses, he never could resist her.

Meg changed into her new red dress, put her hair up in a simple but still elegant do. She put her feet into her favorite pair of shoes and went down the stairs where Ben was waiting “Wow” he said when he saw her “This must be what Lionel Richie meant when he sang ‘Lady in red’” he walked over and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Meg smiled at him “Thank you, you look quite handsome yourself tonight” she complimented Ben. “Are you sure we’re not overdressed for this evening?” “Not at all, when all the children’s left I’ve planned for you and me to have dinner in the wine cellar and for that we’re perfectly dressed” he took her hand “But if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late” they walked towards the door. Meg picked her purse up from the shelf by the door. At the Deep everyone was busy with the last minute stuff, soon all the children of Sunset Beach were coming. Ben had put in a lot of work with decorations and gotten all the toy stores in town to donate gifts which were now laying under a huge tree. “What kid wouldn’t love this” Meg said to Ben as they were standing at the bar with Derek and Sarah “And next year there will be a little Evans among them too” she added and smiled at her sister. “Well he or she will be here, but it will still be a bit young” Sarah said and put a protecting hand on the little bump on her stomach. “Have you heard if mom and dad have been able to leave Kansas yet?” she asked Meg “No, I haven’t. Last time I checked the internet the planes were still delayed, but they thought the snow was going to clear up” she sighed “I really hope they’ll be able to get here before tomorrow, I don’t know what a Christmas lunch it would be without mom and dad and then mom’s special seasoning of the turkey for dinner” Meg had bought all the ingredients, they were waiting for Joan at the house. Sarah hugged her sister “They will be here if I have to go to Kansas to get them myself. Derek’s promised me that I will get half a cup of dad’s eggnog” it wasn’t like Meg to be the worrying one of them. They were cut off by the first children and parents arriving. There were a big buffet with food and drinks, non alcoholic for everyone since this was all for the children. Just before it was time to open the presents Meg sneaked up to Ben’s office. She was there to check her phone to see if her parents had left any message about the flight but got the surprise of the day “Casey? What are you doing here?” she asked and he turned around with a costume in his hands “Didn’t Ben tell you? I’m moonlighting as Santa” he picked up a big fluffy pillow “Not a kid has yet recognized me during the years and most of the older ones I’ve taught to swim” Casey was not only a lifeguard he was a trained swimming teacher as well. “No, he never told me, actually I almost thought he would do it himself” she took out her cell phone “Anything important?” Casey asked and Meg looked up “Yes, my… our parents are coming for Christmas but it’s been snowing in Kansas” she read her new messages “But actually, they’re on the way now” she quickly hit a few buttons on the phone and was connected to the internet to check out the time the plane was going to land. “I’ll leave you alone” Meg said and went back downstairs. “Why does this always happen to me” Casey said to himself “I’m always too late” he sighed and got dressed. He couldn’t help but think of last Christmas when he and Rae had pretended to be married to get her parents to back off from them living together just as friends. It had all blown up when Rae’ ex-fiancé now husband Wei-Lee had turned up out of the blue. Casey put on the mask and went for the door.

Sarah and Derek were still sitting at the bar when Meg came back. Meg had together with Ben hosted the party up until it was time for Santa to come “This is great isn’t it?” Meg said to her sister “I can’t believe how wonderful and generous Ben is” and Sarah put her hand on Derek’s thigh “I can, he’s twin with my husband” she looked back to her sister “Heard anything yet?” Meg nodded “They’re on the way and they’re landing in two hours” “What is their flight number?” Sarah asked and Meg answered her “Good” Sarah went on “We’re collecting them” Meg started to protest “No Meg, you’ve done so much for me lately, sending me home from work so I could spend time with Derek when really it should be you that should spend time with Ben, the two of you got a wedding to plan, we already are married” Meg smiled “Maybe it’s because you already are married I want you two to spend time together” she said in defense “Meg, you’re always putting everyone in front of yourself. I know Ben’s got dinner plans for you tonight. I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. I know you want to meet mom and dad, but they probably just want to get to the hotel after having waited most of the day at the airport” Sarah said in her most convincing voice “And I know mom will be at your place first thing in the morning to get the turkey started” Meg hugged her sister “Ok, I’ll give in, you two can go get mom and dad”

“Ho, ho, ho” the words echoed thru the club “Oh, look it’s Santa” Ben said and pointed to the door “But why are you coming thru the door?” he asked “Because you haven’t built your chimney big enough” Casey answered and patted his big stomach and all the children laughed. To make the process of giving out the gifts all kids had played a game earlier on where they had searched all around the club for a note with a number on. Blue for boys and pink for girls and then the gifts all had numbers on them too. Ben was now stepping back, letting Casey run the show. He found Meg with his brother and Sarah at the bar “Another successful year brother dear” Derek said “Yes, it is” Ben smiled “Are you all up for a glass of champagne?” Derek looked at Sarah “You do what you like. I don’t have any problems driving” she said “Driving?” Ben asked and Meg put her arm around his waist “Yes, Sarah and Derek have offered to go pick mom and dad up, they’re finally on their way” Ben kissed Meg on the cheek “That’s great news. So three champagne then?” he looked at them all “No, I better not” Derek said and Sarah rolled her eyes “Now he’s doing it again. Being overprotective, I said I can drive you don’t have to do it” Derek looked at her “I just don’t want anything to happen to the things that are so precious to me” Derek held up his hands in defeat “Pour me one Ben, or I’ll never hear the end of it” Ben poured three glasses of champagne and some sparkling water for Sarah “To the first of many great Christmases” he raised his glass and the others joined.

When all the children had gotten their presents Ben wished everyone Merry Christmas and people started to leave, after all they did have things to do at their homes. Christmas Day the club would be closed but Boxing Day there would be a big party that had been sold out for a long time. Meg was looking forward to meeting a lot of her new friends. She was also looking forward to the big party she and Sarah would be hosting on New Year’s Eve. She had had help from a friend in Germany to book a band that probably would surprise a lot of people. “A penny for your thoughts” Ben snuck up behind her “Is that all they’re worth?” Meg turned around and smiled at him “No, they’re worth a lot more” Ben said “And I’m willing to give them to you for free” Meg admitted. “So, what are they?” Meg shook her head “Some are still secrets, but mostly I was thinking about how great this holiday season would be” “It sure will” Ben agreed.
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Starting over chapter 19

Chapter nineteen
Just then Ben’s cell phone rang “Excuse me” he said as he took out of his inner pocket. He smiled when he saw the photo id of Meg “You’re a sight for sore eyes” he answered the phone and forgot about his company totally.
“That’s one way to answer your phone” Meg laughed “How are you? Funeral over?” she asked “I’m ok, funeral is over and I’ve been to the house” he sighed “Was it bad?” Meg asked in her own sweet way “Not really, it’s just I don’t know what to keep and not. And I don’t know what Derek would like to keep” “Maybe you should come back home then and wait with selling the estate until you and Derek both have been able to be there together” “You are so wise my dear” Ben said “I think I will do just that” Meg smiled to herself “You know it was a selfish idea at first, I’ve missed you so much” she said and told him about having trouble sleeping alone “Why don’t you sleep in my house then” Ben shrugged his shoulders “Then I don’t have to look for you if I get home in the middle of the night either” “Now who’s the wise guy?” Meg laughed feeling satisfied with the idea of staying in Ben’s house, she even got an idea what to do with hers and Sarah’s. They talked a bit more about this and that before they said bye. Seeing the happy face on Ben the bartender asked the short question “Wife?” Ben grinned “Fiancée, but I can’t wait until I can call her wife” Sophia on the other hand hadn’t given up her attempts to get to Ben “Can I buy you another one?” she offered and Ben shook his head “Thanks but no thanks, I’m going to get to my room now” she raised her eyebrows and Ben added “Alone, rearrange my flights and fly home to my fiancée” Ben extended his hand as the businessman he is “Sorry to say miss Sinclair but we’ll not be doing business not even when we get back to sell” he hoped she learnt her lesson. He then left the bar.

Ben couldn’t get a flight until a couple of days later so the next day he went back to the estate, took some photos himself and met up with the two real estate agencies that he had talked to. They both said they would send him their offers by e-mail. The things Ben wanted to bring back to America at once were papers and jewelry that was of any worth. He didn’t like the feeling of those things stuck in a house that he was that far away from. Besides it got him a chance to look things over until he and Derek could return. He didn’t know if Derek was checking his e-mails but he sent him one telling him about the progress or the lack of.

Derek and Sarah had been to a few small cities exploring. The last one on their list was called Rosario and by old folk’s tales it meant happiness to visit the city as newlyweds. “Do we really have to go home tomorrow Derek?” Sarah asked as they were enjoying lunch at the old square of Rosario “Unfortunately real life is waiting for us” He took her hand and kissed her fingers “Besides, Christmas is coming up and I’m looking forward to spending it with you” he looked her deeply in the eyes and Sarah smiled at him “I believe mom and dad will come too since Meg and I can’t leave the hotel” “I don’t mind that a bit, I’ve not celebrated Christmas as a family in years, it’s just been me and Ben” Their food arrived and after having eaten they walked around looking at some old buildings and other things. There was a few market stalls with this and that to buy and Sarah picked a few things up for her sister and mother to give them at Christmas.

Since Meg had worked long the previous evening she decided to go in a bit later and spend the morning packing a few necessary things up and take them over to Ben’s. She felt a certain kind of calm when she entered the house. She let herself fantasies about the future she and Ben would have, children at least two hopefully a boy and a girl and how they would decorate the two spare rooms upstairs for them. But first they would marry “I need to find a dress” she suddenly realized and dropped her boxes right there and then and went to find the telephone book where she looked up Gaby’s number, after all she was planning her wedding to Ricardo. “Hello, this is Gaby” she answered “Hi Gaby, it’s Meg. Meg Cummings” Gaby laughed “You don’t have to say your last name every time we talk” they had talked a few times when Gaby’s been at work. “Guess it’s a habit from dealing with so many people over the phone” Meg said “Actually Gaby, I’ve got a problem that you might be able to solve” “Oh, what’s that?” she asked curiously. “I’m looking for a wedding boutique” Meg answered “A wedding boutique, that sounds interesting” “Exciting is more like it” Meg beamed “Ben and I are getting married” “Congratulations Meg, I’m so happy for you both you suite each other really well” “Thank you” Meg answered “Well, I know a few. I could pop over to the hotel after work and give you the numbers” Gaby offered “That would be great, I’ll be there after 2 or so” Meg said before they hung up.

Two days later Ben finally landed in New York, his connecting flight to California was delayed he found out and he rolled his eyes “This has been one bad trip from the start” he said out loud but mostly to himself. He turned around from the monitors and bumped into a man “Excuse me” Ben said and looked up and started to laugh “Max, what are you doing here?” “I could ask you the same cousin?” the men hugged “Well I’m on my way home, been back in England” Ben told and Max nodded “Then we’ll be on the same flight, that is if it leaves at all” Max said “You know why?” Ben asked “Something about some technicians going on strike and the rest won’t work overtime” They went to sit down “So, are you travelling alone?” Ben asked “Yes, I have to check out a theatre and Fran decided to stay back here with the twins” “Where?” Ben asked curiously “Actually in LA, but if it goes well and we need to live out there I thought we’d look for something in your town” Max said “You could do worse than Sunset Beach” Ben laughed. “Been doing some research, seems like the town’s growing, new hotel?” “Not really” Ben said “It’s just newly renovated” Max nodded “Two sisters from Kansas I read” Ben couldn’t help but smile “And the ‘never ever let anyone this close again’ Ben Evans have fallen head over heels” Max laughed. “Well I didn’t know that Meg was one of those sisters when I first met her since that was in Mallorca during my vacation there” “I’m happy for you, you deserve to find true love Ben” Max knew how hard it had been on Ben when he had found out that Maria who he thought was his soul mate had cheated on him. “So, what about Derek, he’s up to his usual mischief’s?” Ben shook his head “Believe it or not Max, but Derek’s happily married and expecting a baby next year” “No way?” he said surprised “Derek Evans a family man?” Ben shrugged his shoulders “Well I was surprised myself too, but Sarah’s a lovely lady” “With a will of iron if she got Derek to settle down” “That’s true, but those Cummings’ sisters does have a will of iron, you should see what they did to the hotel” “Now wait a minute” Max said after thinking about what Ben had said “Cummings’ sisters?” “Yes, Meg and Sarah are sisters” Max just laughed “Don’t tell me they’re twins just like you and Derek too?” Ben shook his head “No, they’re not” he said.

“We’ve got some good news for all travelers going west. The flight for LA will start boarding in 10 minutes” the voice over the speakers said. Both Ben and Max got up from the seats and went over to the gate “I can’t wait to get back” Ben said “I bet you can’t if you got a lovely lady waiting for you” Max teased and Ben looked at him Fran really has changed you”
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

Starting over chapter 18

Chapter eighteen

A funeral suited Ben’s mood perfectly, the flights had been delayed so he was a day late landing in England, he was away from Meg and on top of all the lawyers had the keys to the estate and he couldn’t get them until after the funeral. He really would have liked to get a look at it and then decide on a real estate agent. He had a few lined up, one was a really old firm with great references. He finally arrived at his hotel at 10pm and was able to check in without any problems. When he was set up in his room he logged onto his computer and decided to try and see if Meg was on any messenger service and was up for a bit of a chat. “Just my luck” he sighed, wrote Meg an e-mail and then decided to try and get some sleep as the funeral was in the morning.

Meg felt sorry for Ben when she saw the e-mail. She was really missing him and would have loved to be with him. She looked up when she heard a knock on her door “Come in” and the person entered “Hi Casey” Meg smiled “What brings you here?” she motioned for the chair in front of her desk “Hi Meg” he smiled “I just thought I’d pop in before work and give you an update” Meg looked surprised “Don’t you remember, we talked about trying to see if your guests were interested in the beach” “Of course Casey, I was just thinking of something else” Meg answered “Or someone else?” Casey teased “Ben and Derek are some of my best friends and I can’t believe the way they both fell for you and your sister instantly” Meg smiled “We have a saying in Kansas, it must be Kismet” “Sounds like a great expression, how is Ben by the way?” “Good, irritated since he didn’t arrive in England until today, something about the flights being delayed and a few other things” Casey nodded. “Anyways, by the look of it I estimate between 25 and 50 percent of your hotel guests use the beach as well as the pool area. I did talk to your life guard on watch before I came there and thought that maybe we’d have some kind of exchange” Meg nodded “You know safety pamphlets and signs” Casey suggested “That sounds like a great idea, both me and Sarah wants this hotel to be as safe as possible” Casey stood up “I’ll get on it and I will come by another day so you can approve them” Meg followed him to the door “You do that Casey, if I’m not in just leave it in the reception and I promise to get back to you asap”

Ben dressed for the funeral, he really hated these occasions, especially here in England. It reminded him a lot about his mother’s. He got into his car and drove towards the church, he stopped by a florist to pick some flowers up. As next of kin he was seated in the front, at least at his mother’s funeral he had had the support of his brother. ‘If I only was the one that was in Mexico’ he thought. Then the service began. His aunt had wanted an old fashioned funeral so therefore the last part was to take place at the grave. Ben and the rest of aunt Louise’s friends followed the coffin and priest. She was going to her final rest at the same place as her parents and her sister. Ben hadn’t been here in ages, but it had been kept very well ‘Aunt Louise’s work’ he thought ‘I need to see to it that it keeps being looked after’ Ben made a mental note. When the priest had finished and the people had said their goodbyes and everyone said a few words to Ben they left. Finally Ben was alone, he crouched down in front of his mother’s headstone and arranged the flowers he had brought. “Sorry I’ve not been here in a long time Mom” he had tears in his eyes and felt a lump in his throat “You know I would have loved to but living in America doesn’t make it easy” he closed his eyes “Derek couldn’t come, he’s on his honeymoon, can you believe that? Derek’s married” Ben sat down not minding his trousers getting dirty or wet, he had loved his mother so much “Sarah’s a lovely lady and they’re having a baby in June” “You want to know about me” he smiled “Well, believe it or not but I’ve met my soul mate, she’s a Kansas girl and we met on vacation a few months ago. I know it might seem I rushed into things but I’ve asked her to marry me and we’ve set the date to September next year. I hope I can bring her here before the wedding, I want you to meet her” “Oh yes, her name’s Meg. Meg Cummings” Ben said proudly “And now you will laugh, she’s the older sister of Derek’s Sarah” Ben continued ‘talking’ to his mother. It was almost an hour later when he got up and left. He walked towards his car where a woman was waiting for him “Ben Evans?” she asked “Sophie Sinclair” she extended her hand “I’m with Stevens’ real estate” Ben remembered the name of the firm “I believe you might have something for us to help you sell” Ben didn’t know what to believe, how could professional people act this way? “Well yes” he answered and pulled his hand back “I’ve just not yet decided on any agent” he found his car key and unlocked the car “Well, let me give you my card” she took it out and scribbled something on the back “My home number in case you want to get hold of me outside the office” Was she for real Ben asked himself, was she flirting openly like this, what had the world come to. “Excuse me” Ben said and opened the door “I really need to get back to the hotel” “Ok, but please give me a call when you’ve decided, I promise I’ll make it a quick affair, estates like that are really on the market right now” She closed the car door for Ben and let him drive off. Ben was still stunned when he arrived at the hotel. It was almost 1 o’clock and with the time difference it was still in the middle of the night in California so Ben couldn’t call Meg just yet. He picked up the phone and called the lawyer’s office. He was put straight thru and got an appointment to come see the lawyer at once to get the keys to the estate.

Meg was tossing and turning in her bed, somehow she hadn’t slept very well the last few nights. She woke up and went downstairs to drink a glass of water. She still had a lot of the flowers left that Ben had had set up for the proposal. She brought her water with her and sat down in the living room. She closed her eyes and remembered that lovely evening minute by minute. She took a rose in her hand and smelled it. Feeling a bit at ease she laid down and fell asleep right there on the sofa.

Ben opened the front door. The last time he had visited his aunt she had been in hospital with a broken hip. He hadn’t been to this house since before he moved to America, it still looked as grand as he remembered it. He walked thru the hall towards the living room. Walking from room to room he remembered to many things, how would he be able to choose what to keep and what to sell on. He ended up in the kitchen remembering baking cookies with his mother and aunt as a little boy. Something felt both right and wrong about that memory. He thought back and remembered that his mother had packed them up really quick and said they were going for a little vacation. Knowing now what he didn’t then it must have been one of the periods when his father was drinking heavily. He sat down on a stool to think about what to do. He and Derek had decided it would be too expensive to keep the estate, especially since it wasn’t their family heritage, it had belonged to their ‘uncle‘s’ family. He got up and went up the stairs. Looking around the rooms he realized this wouldn’t be fixed in the two weeks he thought. He took out a notebook from his jacket where he had a few numbers to real estate agents.

He called two of the firms and made appointments for the next day to get the house evaluated. He tried a third firm as well but there he only got the answering machine, he left a message and if they didn’t call back by the evening he’d scrap them from his list as he already had with “Stevens’” That person looking him up at the funeral had really made Ben uncomfortable. He picked the keys up and went outside to have a look around before he went back to the hotel.

Ben walked into the hotel lobby where he bumped into Sophia again. Ben put on a fake smile as he didn’t for a second believe that she was there by chance. “Let me buy you a drink” She offered and since Ben was too well mannered to say no so he let her lead the way towards the bar. Luckily it was one of those brighter ones so hopefully she’d not get any ideas. “So Ben” she turned her stool towards him “May I call you Ben?” he nodded “Sure” was his short answer “You think we could help you sell the estate?” Ben shrugged his shoulders “I need to talk to my brother about it” she put a hand on his thigh “Did the house bring up memories?” she said sympathetically “Yes it did” Ben admitted “But that’s not the problem really. I just don’t know what Derek would like to keep from the house” “Maybe I can help you, we got great photographers that can take photos and you can send them by mail” Ben didn’t know how he could get out of this “Well I can’t get to my brother at the moment, he’s on his honeymoon” he saw a bit of shifting in her eyes since she had lit up when he mentioned he had a brother. He took a drink of his beer and felt her hand on his arm “We could go over there and take the photos anyway if you like” Just then Ben’s cell phone rang “Excuse me” he said as he took out of his inner pocket. He smiled when he saw the photo id of Meg “You’re a sight for sore eyes” he answered the phone and forgot about his company totally.
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Starting over chapter 17

Chapter seventeen

Monday morning Ben popped his head into Meg’s office “Hi there, you left before I was awake” he lent over the desk and kissed her. “Sorry, Simon called in sick this morning and I had to come take care of the front desk until the replacement could come” Ben put his head on the side “Does that mean you won’t be home tonight?” Meg shook her head “No, I still got the evening free. I don’t want to miss it since it’s the last one together I two weeks” Meg had a sad look in her eyes “Are you really sure you have to be away for two weeks Ben” “Yes I have. The funeral is on Thursday and then I have to stay for the house to be cleaned out and hopefully sold” Ben and Derek’s aunt had died during the weekend and since their mother wasn’t alive anymore and aunt Louise never had had any children Ben and Derek was to inherit everything from her. “I wish I could go with you, or even better we could send Derek and Sarah” Ben sat down on the corner of the desk “Me too Meg, but with Sarah and Derek off on their honey moon this was the best solution” “I know, I know” Meg said and stood up “The timing is bad, but these are the kind of things in life you can’t foresee” Ben pulled her into his arms “Can’t argue with that, but I will miss you” he placed his lips on hers “I will miss you too” Meg said. “I need to leave” Ben said when they parted “I’ve got to talk to both Gregory and Mark about some business” he walked to the door “But I’ll see you tonight, 6-ish, my place” he said “I’ll be there” Meg answered as he walked out “Where else should I be, I’ve not been much at my own place these last few days” she said to herself and sat down with a file. At least she wouldn’t have trouble filling her time, they had opened the hotel at the right time, lots of guests had already arrived and the bookings were solid thru to March. Meg looked at her annual calendar on her computer “Booked thru March, Sarah’s baby arriving in June…” she trailed off and sighed “I’m a lucky girl living in California, it’s almost always sunny for a nice wedding” she didn’t know when they were to plan it in.

Sarah and Derek had decided on driving down to Mexico for their honeymoon, just some lazy days at the beach and a trip or two for some sightseeing “Are you disappointed?” Derek asked “It’s just since Tuys said it was safer not to fly away I…” he didn’t finish his sentence. “That wasn’t exactly what he said Derek, but I love you for caring and I wouldn’t like for anything to happen to the baby” she took his hand as they were walking along the promenade towards a restaurant they had been recommended “I’m happy as long as I get to spend some time with you alone” she was referring to the busy time that had been right up until her and Meg was able to open the hotel. At the restaurant they were showed to a table where they could sit and look out over the ocean “What are you thinking about?” she asked Derek “Sorry” he took her hand and kissed it “I was just thinking about Ben and how he has to get away to England to take care of everything” Sarah smiled sweetly at him “Remember he said for you not to worry or think about him, he would see to it that it all got settled” “I know, but you don’t know how big the estate is Sarah, there are a lot of things to sort out” Derek began “Well I think Ben can do that, besides all furniture and stuff might be just what the new owner would like to have, you know” she said and shrugged her shoulders “To keep the house in the same state” Derek smiled “I’ve married the most wisely woman in the world”

Meg finished up her files and looked at the clock, it was already 6.30 and she was late. She didn’t know if she should call Ben to tell him she was on her way, but again it took about 3 minutes quick walk to get to his door. She rang the bell when she did arrive but no one came to answer. She looked for the key in her purse and when she found it opened the door and called “Ben, it’s only me” at the same time as she noticed the dark setting of the room, the only lights on were candles and she could hear the fire going “Ben” she called out again and saw him coming from the kitchen “Great, you’re here” he came over and greeted her with a kiss “Mmm, that taste good” Meg said “You’ve been cooking?” “Yep” he said shortly “I wanted it to be just perfect so I did it myself” He closed the door behind her and reached for something on the shelf by the door “I’ve got something for you” he handed her a black velvet box. Meg took it and pulled on the white ribbon keeping it closed “I saw this and thought of you, I want you to have one each week up until our wedding day” Meg opened the box and found a perfect pearl “that way you will have enough for a necklace to wear at the wedding” Meg was stunned, she looked up at Ben “Oh Ben, it’s perfect, you’re really spoiling me” she kissed him “But we’ve not set a date yet” Ben took her hand and led her over to the table where he pulled the chair out for her “I thought we’d do that before we eat, that way you can start planning” he kissed her on the top of her head and sat down next to her and presented a calendar filled with both their already set appointments. “This won’t be easy” Meg said “No, but what do you think about May?” Ben asked her “No, I want Sarah to be my maid of honor and she will be very pregnant in May as the baby’s due in the beginning of June” “I didn’t think of that” he smiled at her “So, how far after the baby’s born then?” “About two months or so… I mean if we want to get off on a honeymoon, Sarah must be able to at least put in a few hours each day at the hotel” Ben flipped the calendar. “Ok, September then” he suggested. “September would be lovely” Meg put her hand on his “What do you think about the 14th?” she pointed to a Saturday in the calendar and looked at Ben “Wouldn’t that be perfect?” Ben looked puzzled “Ben Evans, it’s the date when we first saw each other on the beach in Alcudia” he smiled at her “If that’s the day you want for us to get married I would love it” “I want it if you want it” Meg said back and they both laughed. Ben took out a pen and marked the date in the calendar “I guess we need to check with the church as well, but with this long time ahead I doubt there will be any problems” a kitchen timer rang “Just in time” Ben got up “Dinner’s just about ready” “Do you need help?” Meg asked “Not tonight, I’ve got it all prepared” he went to the kitchen to get the wine first. “This is really a coincidence” Ben said as he poured the wine “I bought this the day you and I was out on the trip together” he smiled at her “Very appropriate to toast us setting a date for our wedding, don’t you think?” “Yes it is” Meg smiled and tasted the wine “It really is good” “I’m happy you think so” Ben said and went to get the dinner “It’s nothing fancy, just a lasagna” he said when he returned “A homemade lasagna is never wrong, it’s been a long time since I last had it” Meg said and moved the wine bottle so that Ben could put the form down.

“Are you all packed and so?” Meg asked when they sat in the sofa sipping the last of the wine “Kind of” “What do you mean?” Meg asked and settled so she had Ben’s arms around her “Well…” he nuzzled her neck “I wish I could pack you too” “So charming, you want to sent me along with the cargo?” Meg teased him “Maybe not, but I wish you could come with me” “Me too, but it’s next to impossible so I better stay here and we can always e-mail each other” Ben pushed the shoulder of her shirt to the side “That’s possible, but I can’t do this in an e-mail” he kissed her down the shoulder and up again and then did the same on the other side. Meg moaned softly and turned around “I will really miss you Ben” she stood up and took his hands “Come upstairs and make love to me” Ben stood up and they walked away from the sofa, just before the stairs he picked her up in his arms and carried her up to his bedroom.
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Starting over chapter 16

Chapter sixteen

Meg was stunned, she had never seen anything so beautiful as the ring Ben showed her. Ben stood up and took the ring out of the box “So Meg” He held her hand “Will you marry me?” Meg smiled “Yes Ben, I love to marry you” she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Ben pulled away “Let’s see how this looks on?” he put the ring on her finger “Perfect” “Oh Ben, I love you so much” she kissed him and hugged him tight. Their kiss grew more intense and soon they were making love in front of the fire. “I love you Meg” Ben said and pulled her close before he pulled a blanket over them both “I love you too Ben” Meg felt so safe in his arms and soon she was asleep. Ben felt his eyes getting heavy but if they wouldn’t like to have soar backs the next day he better see to it they got into bed. After carrying Meg upstairs and tucking her in he went back down to blow the candles out and see to it the fading fire wouldn’t be any trouble.

The next morning Meg woke up in her bed with Ben by her side, the last thing she remembered was falling asleep in front of the fire. With a smile she then looked at her left hand, if anything the ring was even more beautiful this morning “It’s far from as beautiful as you” she heard Ben say “How did you know what I was thinking?” she rolled over on her side and kissed him “Good morning fiancé” “Good morning to you too fiancée” Ben replied. He felt a big grin spread all over his face. “What?” Meg asked “Nothing, I just feel happy” Meg rolled back to the side of the bed to get out “What are you doing?” Ben asked and tried to pull her back in “Ben, however much I’d like to stay in bed with you, I need to get to the hotel, it’s our first day fully opened and I promised Sarah last night that I’ll handle things in the morning” She turned around and smiled at him “And then I have to call my parents some time during the morning, but first I need a shower” Ben got out of bed as well “Let’s save some water then” he grinned.

“Cummings” Joan answered almost out of breath “Oh sorry mom, did I catch you at a bad time?” Sarah said “Not at all, I was just outside picking some apples, I’m making a pie, not that you needed to know that” she rambled on “So how did the grand opening go? We were so sorry we couldn’t be there, but it’s harvesting times” Sarah laughed “Oh mom, we’d love to have had you there, but it went well anyways” She told more about the event and she motioned to Derek to pick the other phone up “Mom, is dad around?” she asked “As a matter of fact he just walked in” “Good, I… we got something to tell you both so tell dad to pick the other phone up” “I’m here” Hank said “Great dad” Sarah hesitated “You’re both on?” Hank asked “We sure are” Derek answered “And as Sarah said we’ve got something to tell you” “Have you set your destination for the honeymoon?” Joan asked “Well kind of, we had to make some changes on our plans” Derek said and took Sarah’s hand “Mom, dad” she said with her newfound strength “I would really have liked to tell you this in person, but this is as good as it gets” she knew her mother had a worried look on her face “Mom, you don’t need to worry” “Oh Sarah, you know me too well, but now you have to tell us what’s up and why you’re not going to Hawaii anymore, nothing’s wrong with Meg is there?” Sarah laughed “Nothing’s wrong anywhere, it’s just that I’m pregnant” “Oh Sarah, that’s so…” Joan had tears in her eyes “Congratulations to the two of you” Hank said as Joan took a deep breath “It’s just so great news Sarah, I’m really happy for you both” she was now sobbing and Sarah’s eyes was tearing up too “See Derek, this is why we should have told them in person” “Oh Sarah” Joan sighed again “I will try and come see you as soon as possible. I can’t believe it, my first grandchild” she then heard a beep “Oh Sarah, I’ve got another call waiting” “Ok mom, we can talk more later, I will get over to the hotel and check a few things” they hung up and so did Hank “Cummings” Joan answered her second call “Hi mom, it’s Meg” and Joan burst into tears “What’s wrong mom” Hank immediately pick the second phone up “Hank Cummings” he answered “Hi dad, it’s Meg” he smiled at his wife “Hi Meggie, we just had Sarah on the line” “Oh” Meg said “Did she tell you the news?” and Hank decided to tease Meg like he always did “Oh yes, she told us all about the big grand opening” and Joan rolled her eyes “You have to forgive your father Meg, yes Sarah and Derek told us about the baby” “I’ve got some news of my own” Meg said “Are you pregnant too?” Joan asked without even thinking of why they had had a visit from Ben the other day “No” Meg laughed “I’m not in a hurry like my sister, but it’s equally happy news, at least for me” she paused “I guess you know already, Ben said he’d been visiting you” “Oh yes, he did. It was so sweet of him” “That’s my Ben and last night when we had walked back to my house he had gotten it all set up with white roses, a fire and lots of candles and he proposed in the most romantic way” Meg sighed happily “And…?” Joan said “I accepted of course” again she heard her mom cry “I hope it’s happy tears mom” Joan looked at her husband “I don’t care if you need help or not here Hank Cummings, I’m flying out to see my girls” “You do that love” Hank said to her “Mom, dad I’m still on the line” Meg reminded them “Sorry Meg, I didn’t mean to ignore you and I didn’t even say Congratulations to you and to Ben too, is he there?” “Not at the moment, I’m at the hotel” “Well then, give him our congratulations too and I’ll call you when I know I can get away and have a flight booked” they said their goodbyes and hung up. Joan sat down at the kitchen table “What a morning Hank, and it’s not even 10 yet” “I know, the girls must have been excited, they usually aren’t up too early” he was counting the time difference in his head. “I need to look into a flight to Sunset Beach, but that has to wait. We still have guests coming this evening”

“Heard you called mom and dad” Meg said as Sarah walked into the office “Yes I did, you called them too?” Meg nodded “To tell about the opening?” she knew Meg usually was the one keeping their parents updated. “Nah, not really” Meg said and loved the surprised expression on her sister’s face. “I had other things on my mind” she rested her chin in her hands hoping Sarah would notice the ring, but apparently not as she sat down to go thru some paperwork “Earth to Sarah?” Meg flashed her hand in front of Sarah’s face “Has that baby of yours made you not seeing things?” she now put the hand down in front of Saran right on top of the papers she was reading. Sarah looked up at Meg, back down at the hand and up again and met Meg’s smiling eyes “Did Ben propose?” “Yes” Meg nodded and beamed “Look at it, isn’t it the most beautiful ever?” “No, you are” she heard Ben saying just before he put his arms around her from behind and handed her a single white rose. Meg turned around and kissed him. In the meantime Sarah got up and around the desk “No you two can do that later, I want to congratulate my brother-in-law” she rolled her eyes “I guess it will be in double sense now” she hugged Ben “Congratulations Ben, you did the second best choice, me having been the first” she teased “You being the first choice for whom?” Derek too entered the office “Oh good thing we made it a big office” Meg laughed “Good morning Derek” she kissed his cheek “And good morning to you too, although I thought I’d come and whisk my wife off to lunch” “Why don’t we all go” Sarah suggested and looked around “We need to toast Ben and Meg?” Derek looked at her as she had lost her mind totally “Oh, I forgot the news isn’t out on town yet” Sarah said “Meg show him” she took her hand and held it out for Derek to see “Your brother finally got down on his knee wanting to make my sister an honest woman” Derek looked at the ring, kissed Meg on both cheeks and hugged his brother “Congratulations to the both of you” he smiled “Let’s all go get some lunch, we certainly need a glass of champagne for this” he put his arm protective around Sarah “But not for you, you’ll get something without alcohol” Sarah started to protest “No Sarah, that little sip of champagne you had last night will be the last in a long time”

With a happy smile, happier than usual, Hank and Joan both greeted their friends in the evening. “Harvest must be good this year” Roger, Hank’s best friend joked “Well it’s little better than average” Hank agreed “You know that yourself I bet, I’ve seen your fields grow all summer” he poured them all some drinks and then put his arm around Joan, “but we got some great news we want to share with you all”. Joan rested her head on his shoulder, too happy to even say anything. “Our Sarah called us this morning and told us we’ll be grandparents soon” “This needs a toast” Roger said “To Hank and Joan” he smiled at his friends “And Sarah too of course” Joan couldn’t stop beaming “And to Meg” she added “She’s getting married” that set of the mood for the rest of the evening.

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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Starting over chapter 15

Chapter fifteen

The big day was finally here. Meg and Sarah was in the office checking over the last things for the grand opening of their hotel “So Meg, we did pull it off” Sarah said and looked at her sister “But you look as tired as I feel” she kind of laughed “Well, it’s a good thing I’ve made us both an appointment with the beauty salon then” Meg said and picked her purse up “We’ve got everything under control with three hours to spare” Sarah picked her purse up as well “It’s quite amazing that everything’s gone so smoothly today. The food and drink are all in order, the staff’s prepared. So… big sis, take me out of here” they both left.

“Where have you been?” Derek asked his brother as he met him outside Ben’s house “The house looked empty last night and since I’ve not seen much of my wife this past week I know you’ve not seen Meg either” he grinned “Well believe it or not but I’ve been to Kansas” Ben said and put the key in his door and opened it “Kansas?” Derek looked surprised “What did you do in Kansas?” Ben looked mysterious “That’s for me to know and you to find out later on” Derek shook his head and suddenly turned around to look at his twin “Now I know” he grinned.

Meg and Sarah arrived at the hotel about half an hour before the guests started to arrive. Both dressed up in new dresses, Sara in pale blue and Meg in pale pink, same dresses but different colors like so many times before in their lives. Meg took a big breath “Ready Sarah?” she asked “Ready Meg” Sarah answered “Then let’s get this show on the road” On the minute five o’clock Sarah and Meg opened up the doors and let the guests in. Everyone was there, especially all their new friends Casey and Rae, Vanessa and Michael, Ricardo and Gabi, Antonio. Most of the Richards family, Mark and of course Ben and Derek. Everyone wanted to talk to the sisters and congratulate them. Meg and Sarah had left some of the hotel rooms open for curious people to go in and look at. About an hour later Meg took the microphone on the stage “Everyone, may I have your attention” she said and the whole room got quiet “I’d like to start with asking all of you to try locate my sister and please bring her to me” she joked as she saw her sister trying to move her way towards the stage. “Now we can go on” Meg said as Sarah took her place next to her “Well, we’d like to thank every each and one of you that’s here today, you have all contributed to getting this place finished in time. All of our new friends who’s supported us and let us into your arms and hearts when we arrived her from Kansas” she took a step to the side “We also would love to thank everyone who’s agreed to come work with us, not for us because we plan on putting in many, many hours ourselves” Sarah said and looked at her sister “Of course we’d love to thank our parents who couldn’t be here today because it’s harvest time back in Kansas and I think especially our dad would love us to have each a pair of red shoes so we could click our heels and come back to help in a snap” All the crowd laughed “And last but not least I’d like to thank my lovely husband and my brother-in-law, who happens to be dating my sister” she looked at Meg “Without the support of you two I doubt we’d be finished by today” Meg took over “So without any further delays we will announce something that you’ve all been wondering” a woo went thru the crowd “Let the party begin at ‘Hotel Sisters of Sunset Beach’ ” everyone applauded the sisters “Enjoy your evening, there’s plenty of food and champagne to go around” Sarah added before they both left the stage. Derek and Ben both stood by the stairs and helped them both off “That was a great speech” Ben kissed Meg on the cheek “But then again we didn’t expect anything less from our favorite girls” Derek put his arms around Sarah and kissed her smack on the lips. “And I guess this also means that I finally can whisk my lovely wife off on our honeymoon” “Only if you promise to make her dreams come true” Meg pointed her finger at Derek “I promise” he pretended to look scared.

The evening went on and Meg and Sarah didn’t have many minutes alone. Around midnight most of the people had dropped off and both Meg and Sarah kicked off their shoes. They sat down at the bar “We did it, we actually did it” Meg said and smiled happily “I agree with you Meg, we actually did it” Sarah agreed just as Ben and Derek came to sit beside them. Meg reached for a glass of champagne and pushed one towards Ben and then towards Sarah and Derek too “A toast to us” Meg said and raised her glass “To Meg and Sarah” Ben and Derek toasted and they all took a sip, but Meg noticed that Sarah didn’t “Sarah, why aren’t you drinking the toast?” she asked but as she did she realized why “Oh my God Sarah, are you???” she looked at her sister who couldn’t hide her happiness “Yes I am” she nodded as Meg hugged her tightly “But what about Hawaii?” Meg asked as she knew that’s where they had planned their honeymoon “Well we’ll just have to wait with that a bit” Derek couldn’t stop smiling either and Ben got up from his stool “Congratulations to you both” he said and kissed Sarah on the cheek and patted Derek on the back “Thank you” Derek said “and Meg, I will hold my promise to make Sarah’s dreams come true. Maybe I’ll not take her to Hawaii now, but I’ll give her a honeymoon she’ll never forget and we’re leaving the day after tomorrow” Meg hugged her sister again “I’m so happy for you” “And I’m happy you’re happy I was a bit afraid to tell you” “Why?” Meg asked “Well you’re the oldest sister, you’ve been the first to do everything all our lives” Sarah explained “Well” Meg said with a glimpse in her eye “I didn’t marry first so it’s only fair you’ll have the first baby too” Meg said and yawned “Oh, I guess it’s time to get home so I can be here again in the morning to overlook things” Ben put his arm around her shoulders “Let me walk you home then” “That would be nice” Meg started towards the office to pick up her purse. She saw her laptop but decided she was too tired and if Ben stayed the night she wouldn’t get any work done anyways. “I’m ready when you are” she said and locked the door. “Then let’s leave” Ben offered her the arm like a gentleman and Meg agreed with a smile. She said good night to the staff in the reception as they walked thru the lobby.

Derek and Sarah arrived at their house just three minutes after stepping out of the hotel “I love that we live this close” Sarah said “Me too, it won’t be so far to walk to follow you home from now on” Derek said and put his arms around her from behind “I’ll do anything in the world to protect the two of you” he nuzzled her neck. Sarah turned around to face him “I know you will” they had already had the argument about Derek being overprotective “Did we do the right thing that we told Meg and Ben tonight?” she asked “Yes we did and tomorrow morning we’ll call your parents to tell them the good news” Derek took her hand and led her up the stairs.

Meg put the key in her front door and turned towards Ben “Thank you for walking me home” she looked at him “There’s no need to thank me” Ben said and reached behind her to open the door. He was hoping Mark had had time to arrange the things he had planned. Meg turned around to walk inside, but as she was about to reach for the light switch she saw all the candles in the room. There were also a lot of white roses in vases. “What’s this?” Meg asked as Ben closed the door behind her “This is a surprise to you” Ben swirled her around and looked her in the eyes “Although it might be a bit pale in comparing to the news Derek and Sarah told us” he took her hand and led her down the steps and towards the set up in front of the fire. He helped Meg down on the floor before he opened the champagne and sat down himself “I’d like to toast your success once again” they sipped their drinks and he looked straight into her eyes and took the glass from her hand and put it down beside his own. “Meg” Ben said “I’ve got something I’d like to…” he paused “Oh, I had this planned in detail and as I said before it feels a bit like it’s paling beside everything else that’s happened tonight” Meg smiled sweetly at him “Nothing you do is ever pale Ben, you’re so special to me” she took his hand. With his free hand Ben took out a box “You are special to me too, that’s what I told your parents too when I went to see them yesterday” Meg put a hand to her heart to stop it from beating out of her body “You went to see my parents?” she said stunned and Ben smiled at her “Well I’m an old fashioned kind of guy and couldn’t do this without their permission or well I could, but I would very much like to have their blessing” Ben rearranged so they both stood up before he went down on one knee in front of Meg “Meg Cummings, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Starting over chapter 14

Chapter fourteen
There were a lot of people in the club that night that wanted to talk to Ben so he was pretty busy. Meg on the other hand sat mostly at the bar, glancing over at her sister and brother-in-law. They really looked happy together. “A penny for your thoughts” she turned around “Hi again, Gabriella was it?” she smiled “You can call me Gabby. You looked lonely up here so I thought I’d come tell you to come sit with us” Meg slid down from the stool “That sounds nice thanks” she followed her back to the table and sat down with Ricardo and Antonio. A while later Gabby lent over to Meg “You know wherever Ben is tonight he looks at you all the time” Meg blushed “No need to be embarrassed” Gabby said “It’s a lovely gesture I think” Meg didn’t know what to say. Ben walked over and sat down with them “Are you all having a good time?” he asked as he put his hand on Meg’s thigh “Sure, it’s a great party” Antonio said “It looks like the guests of honor are enjoying themselves as well” “They sure are” Ben said. “Sara really looks happy” Meg filled in “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this happy actually” “Neither have I Derek” Ben said and looked at Meg, not minding the rest of the people around the table. “Sorry to interrupt Ben, but we don’t have any more champagne” Mark came to the table “What? Not even in the cellar?” Mark shook his head “Sorry, but as I didn’t know about this party and thought we had a good stock as we had when I ordered last week” Ben stood up and patted his shoulder “It’s not your fault Mark, not even I did know about it, I guess we’ll get some of the good wine up instead” Ben turned towards the table “Excuse me a moment” he then left. “What have you done to Evans?” Ricardo asked Meg and she looked surprised “Well he once dated our sister Maria and never did I see him look at her the way he looks at you, and I don’t think I ever saw him even hold her hand not in private nor in public” “I didn’t do a thing” Meg said “Well something happened at least” Ricardo said and yawned “Oh, sorry. It’s been a long day” Gabby patted his leg “Maybe we should go home” she suggested “Sounds like a good idea” they stood up “It was really nice to meet you Meg” Gabby said “We should me up for lunch or something one of these days” “That sounds nice” Meg agreed “I really need to meet people in this town and I guess an assistant at the police station knows a few” Gabby laughed “I sure do, and I have to add, it’s not only the criminals I meet at work” and everybody laughed. Antonio got up too “I’ll walk with you a bit” he said.

Meg went to talk a little to her sister and Derek and just a short while later she decided to go home too. It had been hectic days since she got back. At home she changed into her favorite sweatpants and a t-shirt that said the name of her university back in Kansas. Then she curled up in the sofa with a glass of wine and turned the tv on. Half an hour later there was a knock on her door. A little bit frightened she went to open the door “Who is it?” she called “It’s me, Ben” he answered and Meg opened the door “Why did you leave?” he asked softly as she let him in. “I was tired” she said and walked towards the sofa “Do you want some wine?” Ben grabbed her by the shoulder and turned her around. He pulled her close and bent down to kiss her. When they finally came up for air he looked her deep in the eyes “I’ve wanted to do that all evening, but I didn’t want to spoil the evening for Sarah and Derek” Meg didn’t respond but put her hands around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss. Ben let his hands wander down her back and under her t-shirt while Meg pulled his shirt out of his trousers. She took his hand and let him up the stairs to her bedroom, she didn’t want to wait any longer, she needed him close and she needed him now. Upstairs they undressed each other before they fell onto the bed. In silence they made love. Afterwards Ben pulled Meg into his arms and they fell asleep.

Meg didn’t wake up until the next morning and when she did Ben was standing in the room with a breakfast tray for them both “Good morning” he smiled. “Good morning” she smiled back “You’ve made breakfast” she stated “Yes, not that I had that much to work with” he said and Meg knew she didn’t have much in the fridge “I guess I need to go shopping” she sat up “But this looks and smells delicious” she said and reached for a cup of coffee. Ben sat down next to her and took a glass of orange juice since he already had had one cup of coffee while he was preparing the tray. “So what are your plans today?” he asked and Meg rolled her eyes “From now on it’s only work, never mind what day of the week it is. We have set a date for the big opening as you know” “Is there anything I can help you with?” Ben asked “Not at the moment” Meg bit into a piece of toast “But I might get back to you. This tastes really good” she smiled at him. “Just let me know when you need help and I’ll be there” Ben bent forward and kissed her “Do you mind if I borrow the shower?” Meg shook her head.

The next few days were so busy that Meg didn’t do anything but sleep at home, she didn’t even have time to see Ben and she really missed him, but as if he was telepathic he showed up in her office four days later. He stood leaning against the doorframe looking at Meg or the back of her in the office chair busy looking for a file while she was on the phone. She turned around and jumped as she saw him. She motioned for him to sit down and covered the phone “I will just be a few more minutes” Ben rested back in the chair. Finally Meg got to end the call and hung up “Hi stranger” Ben smiled at her “Hi yourself” “Pretty busy??” Ben raised an eyebrow at her. “Yeah, sorry I’ve not been in touch, but with interviews, suppliers and finishing off the renovation it’s been…” “Don’t say anymore, I know what it’s like” Ben got up and stood behind Meg to rub her shoulders “So I thought that I’d come here and whisk you off on a lunch picnic” “Ben I don’t have the time” he swirled her chair around and squatted in front of her “Meg, you need to take a break. It won’t work otherwise. You will burn yourself out before the opening’s here otherwise” Meg opened to mouth to protest but Ben put a finger on her lips “All things will be here when you’re back in an hour or two” Meg shook her head “Yes” Ben nodded “I meant, I can’t be away for two hours” Meg protested “Yes you can” Meg heard from behind and turned around to see her sister “You need to take a break, you’ve not been away from here more than to sleep and that’s barely even that” Sara said “See even your sister agrees with me” Meg sighed “I’ve got it all packed and ready in the car outside” Ben said and took her hand “You don’t have to think about anything than come with me and relax for a bit” “Come on Meg, get out of here. You can take the whole afternoon off, here’s not more job than I can handle myself today” “But…” “No buts Meg! Just go” Sarah looked at her “Ok, ok” Meg said and took her purse. Ben put his arm around her shoulders and led her outside.
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Starting over chapter 13

Chapter thirteen
Together Ben and Meg left his office and went down to mingle with the crowd. Ben had made plans with Casey Mitchum for him to be outside and come in when he spotted Derek and Sarah. The first people Ben introduced Meg to was Gabriella Martinez and Ricardo Torres “We’ve actually met briefly” Meg said when she shook hands with Ricardo “Sarah and I was over at the police station with some business papers” Ricardo smiled “I remember and I’m looking forward to the hotel opening, it was a place where we went for Sunday dinners when I grew up” “Wow, I didn’t know that, you have to tell me more about it” Meg said “Sure thing, just give me a call at the station when you got time” he suggested. Another man came up to the little crowd “Father Antonio” Meg said when she recognized the priest that had married her sister and brother-in-law. “Please just Antonio when I’m civil” he smiled and shook her hand. He kissed Gabi’s cheek and patted Ricardo’s back “How’s things bro?” he grinned and Meg looked from Antonio to Ricardo and back to look for similarities “A priest and a policeman, your mother must be proud” she said. “I’m not so sure about that” Antonio joked “Why not?” Meg asked “Well I’m a priest with all my vows and the police job isn’t exactly the safest there is” “And your mother is like every other mother is, longing for grandchildren” Meg added and he nodded his answer. Meg turned back to Gabi “And you are too working at the police station” “Yes” Gabi answered “And before you hear it by rumors I’m engaged to Ricardo” she put an arm around him. “Seems there’s more to the story” Meg said curiously “There is, but I don’t want to talk about that now” “That’s ok” Meg said “So, where do you come from originally” Gabi was speaking with a bit of an accent “Just down the border to Mexico” “That explains your accent then” Ben put his arm around Meg “There are a few more people I want you to meet” Meg smiled at the Torres’ brothers and Gabi “Nice meeting you all, let’s talk more later” Ben led her over to a table where an older couple were sitting and there were two young guys and a young woman too “Gregory, Olivia nice to see you all here” Ben said “Cait” he bent down and kissed her cheek as he shook hands with the man next to her “Great seeing you two in town, you too Sean. Uni on a break?” “Sure is” Sean said “And I couldn’t be happier than to come home for my niece’s Christening” “You’re having your baby Christened here?” Ben looked at the younger couple “Yes, Trey was so we wanted Tiffany to be Christened too” The woman said. Ben turned to Meg “This is Gregory and Olivia Richards, Gregory and I are business partners” Meg shook their hands “And this is the lovely Caitlin Deschanel their daughter and her husband Cole” Ben then ruffled Sean’s hair “And the little guy is Sean” Meg smiled at them all “It’s so nice to meet you all, I’m Meg Cummings” “Oh, you’re the one opening the hotel with your sister” Olivia said in her British accent. “Yes I am” Meg smiled “I hope you all will come for the grand opening” she said “I’m sure we will” Gregory said and looked at her daughter “Depending on how long you are staying” Caitlin put a protecting hand on her husband’s arm “Well with Cole’s broken leg we might stay a bit longer” “I’m sorry to hear” Ben looked at Cole “What happened” Cole sighed “Well, I was in a hurry to get downstairs for an extra bottle for Tiffany and I tripped on the last steps of the stairs” Caitlin smiled “And I told him she could wait a few minutes, there were no hurry” Cole looked affectionately at his wife “You know I hate hearing her cry” Caitlin looked at Meg “Do you have any children?” Meg shook her head “No” “Well maybe one day and you will also know that a few minute’s wait won’t hurt” she laughed and kissed her husband on the forehead “At least the bump’s gone down” Ben saw Casey coming down the stairs and he went over to the microphone “Showtime everyone” he said and everyone stood up and looked at the door and went all quiet. A few moments later Derek and Sarah came inside and everyone cheered and called out “Surprise” Ben took Meg’s hand and went thru the crowd towards their siblings “I hope you don’t mind, this party is my wedding present” Ben said. “Actually I don’t mind at all, I didn’t really know if I wanted a big wedding or just as we had with the immediately family” Sarah kissed Ben’s cheek and hugged her sister. Everyone wanted to congratulate the newly weds so Ben took Meg over to the bar “Do you want anything to drink?” “Yes a glass of wine would be nice” she looked him in the eyes, he had the most amazing blue eyes “What?” Ben asked “Nothing, I just love the colour of your eyes” Ben couldn’t resist but bent down and kissed Meg not minding who saw it, he didn’t want to sneak around with his love. “Whoa, whoa, whoa” someone said “Don’t tell me the Prince of Darkness has fallen as well as his twin?” Ben broke apart because he recognized the voice and with a smile he turned to the woman “Bette” he bent forward and kissed her cheek “May I introduce Meg Cummings” “Meg, this is Bette ‘Queen of the Night’ Kazen something” he laughed “I’ll never learn to pronounce that last name of yours. I don’t know why husband number seven had to have such a strange name” Bette smiled “Well took me a while and now we’re divorced” she looked at Meg “But you can call me Bette, muffin” “Nice to meet you Bette” Meg said. “So you’re a journalist?” she asked “Think it’s more gossip” Ben filled in. “And I’ve got stuff to write for a week now, so many rumors why your twin married in a hurry and who is his young wife?” “I guess you have to ask them yourself before you write anything Bette” Ben suggested. “Oh, I will” Bette said “And when is it your turn?” Ben shook his head “Bette, Bette, what makes you think such a thing?” “What makes me think? But hello” Bette said in her own special way “With such a lovely lady as muffin here you must at least have thought the thought” “But Meg and I have just met” Ben answered “It didn’t stop your brother tough” “Well Derek’s business is his own” Ben said “and in this case Sarah’s too” Meg filled in. “Oh, do you know this lovely Sarah?” Bette asked “Well you can say that. She’s my little sister” “Your sister?” “Wow, this gets better and better” Bette put a few words down in her notebook “Now I better go see the happy couple a bit” She stepped away but turned around “But I’ll be back, I want to be the first to know when it happens” “When what happens?” Meg asked “When Prince of Darkness pops the question of course” Ben laughed “You’re incurable Bette” Ben turned towards Meg “So, now we’re engaged, or as good as” he smiled “Well, it’s not very unpleasant even though it’s a bit sudden” Meg smiled back and sipped her wine.
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Starting over chapter 12

Chapter twelve
Meg was waiting outside the hotel for Ben and when he arrived they went inside and Meg showed him around “We’re planning on using this area for concerts, plays and big conferences” “Seems like a great idea. I’m really looking forward to see it all again when it’s finished” “I really hope we can hold our deadline and open in a month” “I believe you will, from what I know you and Sarah are both determent women and will get your will thru” He put his arm around her shoulders “So, have you gotten any kind of staff yet?” Meg shook her head “Nope, we’ve advertised a bit on the internet and will start going thru those on Monday. Maybe you know some people that would like to work in a hotel?” “Maybe” Ben said “I usually get some CV’s sent to me each month with people taking a chance, I will look thru and see if I can forward some to you as I’m fully staffed at the moment” “That would be amazing. I guess if it’s local people you know them as well” “Some I do” they had walked back to the office “Do you have any plans tonight Meg?” Ben asked “Not really, just work” “Could you take a break and come to the Deep a bit?” “Sure I could” Meg smiled “Great, the reason I was late was because I had put plans together for a surprise party for Sarah and Derek. A lot of our friends will be there and it will be a great way for you to meet a lot of the locals” “Oh Ben” she hugged him “That would be fantastic” Ben bent his head and kissed her “I love you enthusiasm” he said “And I love you” it just slipped out of Meg’s mouth but at the same second she didn’t know if she should regret it she looked into Ben’s eyes “I love you too” he kissed her again.

“Why don’t you two get a room” they heard and sprang apart “Oh Derek, you think you’re funny don’t you?” Ben said. “No, I know I am” he said and Ben rolled his eyes “What brings you here?” Ben asked “Sarah remembered she had an important phone call to make to the contractors” “So she’s in the office?” Meg asked “Yes” Derek answered “Good, I’ll go catch her. I got a thing to ask her” Ben pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear “Don’t say a word about tonight” she smiled back at him. As Meg walked off Derek patted his brother on the back “You got it bad brother dear” he grinned “I guess I do” Ben agreed “Have you looked around this place?” he asked and Derek nodded “Had to for security reason” he said “I think we need to get some people in, especially when they get the casino up and running” “Had anyone in mind?” Ben asked “I’ve been thinking about that young group in Metropolis, Kansas” Derek said and Ben looked puzzled “You know Clark, Oliver, Chloe, Lois and Lana” Derek explained “Do you think they’d be interested?” Derek nodded “I think so, as long as we take them all they won’t be able to resist our offer” Ben laughed “You’ve already sent the offer out, haven’t you?” and Derek just grinned “Good thing I’m a ‘silent partner’ in the company then” Ben said and patted his brother’s back “Good job Derek, let me know when they’ve accepted. Let’s go find the girls” he suggested “You have some great ideas too” Derek followed him towards the office.

Meg arrived at the Deep at 6.30 and it was crowded. She walked over to the bar “Hello Mark” he looked up “Oh, hi Meg” he said “Good you’re here, Ben said to send you up as soon as you got here” Meg smiled “Ok, I’ll go upstairs then” “Come in” Ben said as she knocked on the door “Hiya” Meg smiled “Oh great, you’re here” Ben said “I’m just about to call Derek, I hope they won’t suspect anything” Meg kissed his cheek “I bet you got a great lie up your sleeve” Ben lifted the phone and called his brother “Hi Derek” he said “I was just wondering if you and Sarah could come over to the Deep a bit… Why? Well Meg showed up and I thought that the four of us could have dinner together” Ben looked up at Meg and mouthed ‘He’s talking to Sarah’. “Yes, half an hour will be ok. I will get the chef to prepare something” “They’re coming” Ben said to Meg “Great. So, what’s the rest of your plan” “Well since the club’s open as usual I guess it won’t look suspicious and then I thought I’d gather up the friends in a corner hiding the buffet I’ve got prepared” “You really thought this thru?” walked around the desk and sat on the corner of it “But what do you think we should do until they come?” she teased him “Well we could do a lot in half an hour, but why don’t I introduce you to some of the locals?” He stood up “But first I want a proper kiss” Meg smiled “That I can handle”
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All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Starting over chapter 11

Chapter eleven
The kiss was sweet and tender and when they broke apart Ben dried Meg’s tears away with his thumbs. “Better now?” she just nodded and turned around to continue with the dishes “Why don’t you have a dishwasher, it saves time” Ben said and reached for a towel to help dry “There wasn’t one when we bought the place and I’ve not been here much yet to feel the need” “I shouldn’t complain really” Ben smiled at her “I get to spend time with you right now because of it” Meg laughed “That’s true, but really you don’t have to” she said “I’d like to and I think it’s good that my brother spends some time with your parents, getting to know them I mean” Meg knew it was a risk asking but she had to find out “Don’t you want to get to know them too?” she glanced up at him “Sure I will, but I’ve got time to get to know them” “What do you mean” “I mean that I want to, just as I said yesterday, date and court you properly and not rush into anything like Derek and Sarah did” “Oh Ben, you’re so sweet” Meg said and finished off the washing up “I wonder if mom’s made a cake or something to go with the coffee” she looked around in the kitchen and finally the fridge “She’s really great your mom, a first class cook and she bakes too” Meg turned around “Well she was always a stay at home mom and farmer’s wife so it kind of comes with the territory” “Maybe it does, but from dinner alone I could notice there is an interest in cooking too, not just to do it because it has to be done” Ben said “Maybe I should invite her to come cook for me at the Java Web” he teased “If you do, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to steal Mark for the bar at the hotel” Ben pulled her into his arms again and kissed her “Don’t you dare” he kissed her again “God, I never thought I’d feel this way again” “Hrm” they broke apart “How about coffee?” Sarah asked “Or are you two too busy?” Meg turned to look at her sister “It’s just finished, I was on my way out” Sarah raised her eyebrows “I can see that”
They all sat down in the sofas to have their coffee “So girls, have you decided on a name for your hotel yet?” Hank asked “We have” Meg said “But we’re keeping it a secret until the opening” Sarah filled in. “It was a bit hard with bills and stuff if we didn’t have a company name so we had to come up with one pretty fast” Meg looked at her sister “But I think we agreed fast and we’re both satisfied. Sarah nodded “I really like it” “Do we get a hint?” Hank was curious. “Not a chance” Sarah said “We won’t tell a soul” she looked at Meg “Not a soul” she confirmed.
Derek and Sarah left about an hour later. “I guess I should leave too, I need to get to the Deep, and I gave Mark the evening off” Ben said and stood up. “It’s been a lovely evening, the food was absolutely fabulous Joan” “That was nothing” she said modestly. Ben shook hands with Hank and kissed Joan’s cheek before Meg followed him to the door, they went out and again Meg found herself standing on the stairs with Ben “Do you want to come with me?” Meg smiled at him “No, I think I will spend some time with mom and dad, I’ve not seen them in a long time and they’re leaving tomorrow morning mom told me before” Ben pulled her into his arms again “Then I think you shall, I get to see you tomorrow anyway” he looked at her “That is if the tour of the hotel still is on” “Of course it is” Meg said “Good” Ben lowered his head and kissed her tenderly “Good night Meg, sweet dreams” he left and Meg stood there looking after him until she didn’t see him anymore.

sThe next morning Sarah and Derek came over for breakfast before Meg and Sarah took their parents to the airport “Thank you for coming” Sarah said and hugged them both “Oh Sarah” Joan said “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, although you could have warned us it was a wedding you wanted us to come for” “Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise” Sarah said “That’s true” Joan agreed. “It was great seeing you too Meg, and I think you will do the right decision with your photos as artwork for the hotel” she hugged her. Both girls hugged their father too and stood outside the gate until their parents had gone thru security. “I guess you want to get back home to Derek” Meg said as they walked towards the car “and finish of your mini-honey moon” Sarah laughed “We’re planning on going away when the hotel is up and running. I hope that will be ok with you” Meg got in behind the wheel “Of course it is, I’ve just been to the trip of my life, now it’s your turn” she backed the car out of the parking lot and drove towards Sunset Beach “It really was, wasn’t it?” Sarah asked “the trip of your life” Meg nodded “So many things and places I got to see” she told about a few “And then you met Ben” Sarah filled in “I did, but I never really thought I’d see him again. It’s been a bit overwhelming…” They arrived in town “So where can I drop you off” Meg asked “At home, I mean our house, I need to pack a few things up and take over to Derek’s” Sarah answered “I will still help you pay the mortgage, but we’ve decided to live in his house. It’s not as big as ours, but it’s enough for us and I don’t want you to feel like an intruder in your own home” Meg parked outside their garage “That’s thoughtful of you Sarah. I really, really hope you and Derek will be happy together” “I know we will, he’s my soul mate” she confessed “As I believe Ben’s yours” she laughed “Can you believe we fell in love with twins Meg” and Meg joined her laughter “No, I can’t. I really hope this will be right with Ben” “It will Meg, I can see it in your face, when you’re alone you get that dreamy look and when Ben’s in the room you have a hard time to pull your eyes off him. You never was that way with Tim” “Have you heard what happened to Tim after he left Ludlow?” Meg asked “Nope, think he came out this way but at least I’ve not seen him around Sunset Beach” Sarah said. “Well… if I never see him it will be too soon anyways” Meg said “I can’t believe he slept with Connie, I just wonder how many more of my so called friends he slept with” “Meg, don’t even think about it, he’s not worth it” Sarah went up to the room that had been hers and started packing up. Meg sat down in the living room and opened her computer to do some work. When Sarah returned down the stairs Meg was deep into the paperwork “I still don’t know how you can find that work satisfying” she shook her head “Well it’s a good thing I do then” Meg smiled at her sister “otherwise we’d be in a big mess. You’ve done good when I’ve been away, everything checks out with deliveries and bills” Meg closed the program and took out the calendar “So, what do you say about meeting up at the hotel at nine on Monday morning so we can start looking into hiring staff” Sarah took out her cell phone and put in the notice about the meeting “I guess I’ll see you there then” Meg looked at the suite case and boxes “Shall I drive you to Derek’s, wherever that is?” she asked “Nope, D’s on his way to help me. Besides his house isn’t that far away. It’s the one before Ben’s if you come from this way 1305” Meg laughed “You mean they live next door to each other” Sarah nodded. “And it’s really close to the hotel. It shares the same back street” there was a knock on the door and Sarah went to open “Hi hubby” she greeted Derek with a big kiss “I’ve missed you” and Meg couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. “Hi wife” Derek returned “Hi Meg” he smiled at her “I hope you don’t mind me taking my wife home” Meg smiled back “Not at all, I’m a very modern woman who thinks a husband and wife should live together” she teased and Derek laughed “Oh, I will really enjoy having you as a sister Meg” he said “Well your stuck with me so you better” she returned.

After Derek and Sarah had left Meg went back to her work and suddenly her cell phone rang “Have you forgotten about me?” the caller said and she recognized the voice instantly “Not really, I guess I’m just running late. Are you at the hotel?” she asked “No, I’m running a bit late, I’m at the Java Web, but I can be at the hotel in five” Ben said “Well don’t rush, why don’t we meet there in half an hour instead” “Ok, I’ll see you then” Ben said and Meg was on the way to hung up the phone “Meg, go look outside your front door” he said and hung up.
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Starting over chapter 10

Chapter ten

“All work and no play” Ben lent on the doorframe and startled Meg looked up “Hi” she looked at her wristwatch “Wow, is that the time?” She realized it was 6pm “Yes it is, I was on my way home and thought since I hadn’t heard from you that I’d stop by” “I’m so sorry Ben. I got lost in paperwork” she leant back in her chair. Ben moved in and sat down in a chair opposite her “So, are we still on for dinner?” he asked “Dinner? Oh yes, dinner” Meg looked at her watch again “Oh, it’s not yet for an hour” she started to put together a few files and Ben got his eye on one of them “May I look what my brother promised you?” Meg looked at his hand on the file for Twin Cqur “Oh, how stupid am I? Of course you’re in that company with Derek, sure you may look” Meg said. “I’m more of a silent partner really, I’ve got enough with the Java Web and the Deep” he said. “To me it seems like you’re doing great there” “I hold my own” Ben said a bit modesty “Yeah” Meg lifted her eyebrows. “You’re a bit cheeky miss Cummings, besides you will be able to keep your own too when you get this place going, when will I get the grand tour?” Ben invited himself “Well not tonight, mom’s got dinner almost ready. But what about tomorrow” she suggested “That is if you’re free” “Let’s see, it’s Saturday, no deliveries, no meetings… I think I could fit you in” Ben smiled.

“Do you need to go home, or will you walk with me?” Meg asked when she had gathered her stuff “Well I should go home and change, but it’s just down the street. If you like to you could come and then we’d go back to yours” Meg was a bit curious about where Ben lived “Sure, there is enough time” She hung her work bag on her shoulder where she had the computer and paperwork that she had to do sometime during the evening or night. “What did you mean really by down the street” she said as they walked in the backstreet of the hotel and the houses of the beach “Pretty literary” Ben said and pointed “It’s over there” he pointed to the house that had an orange color to it “That was really close” Meg laughed “I hope the activities at the hotel won’t be disturbing when we get it up and running” “I doubt it, I’ve been looking forward to a bit more life since I noticed the hotel was being restored” Ben unlocked the door as they had reached his house “Come on in” he let Meg ahead and she stood stunned in the entrance “Wow Ben, this is really exclusive” The marble pillars that stood on each side of the stairs leading upstairs were amazing. Ben put his hand on the small of her back and led her in so he could close the door “Can I offer you something to drink while I change?” he went over to the bar that was beside the fireplace. Meg stood stunned looking around “Meg?” “Uhu?” “Something to drink?” Ben asked again “No, I’m fine. You go change and I’ll just look around if it’s ok with you” “Sure” Ben went for the stairs and Meg couldn’t resist the urge to enjoy the view of him climbing it two steps at a time. Slowly she walked around, in the corner of the room she found the door to the kitchen and couldn’t resist going inside. She found a great equipped kitchen and she understood that Ben had been true when he said he loved cooking, but somehow she believed that he didn’t do it quiet enough. She felt the marble tops and she walked around “Hungry?” Ben was leaning on the doorframe and Meg turned around “Yeah actually I am, but I know from sources that there is a great place serving dinner tonight” Ben laughed “Why don’t we go there then and we could cook something up here another evening” he winked an eye at her. “I will hold you to that” Meg said and passed him. Ben opened the door for her and picked up her bag. He turned the alarm on and locked the door. They walked around the house and bumped into Sarah and Derek “Oh oh” Sarah said “Did we do this?” She looked from Meg to Ben and back to her sister again who was shaking her head “Sarah, what shall I do with you” she hooked her arm under Sarah’s and started to walk “We met at Mallorca really” she told the story.

“You know brother dear, it’s not necessary for the best man to hook up with the maid of honor” Derek nudge Ben in the side as they walked a few steps behind the girls. Well I met Meg long before the wedding, not really that long but at least before” Derek looked at him “That explains why she wanted to bite my head of yesterday” he laughed “What did you do to her, she was pretty angry with me, or you or...” “I didn’t do anything she wasn’t in on. I just think she mistook you for me yesterday, you saw how she fainted when she saw us both” Ben explained. “So where did you meet, according to Sarah Meg’s not been much in town since they bought the hotel, she’s been on a long holiday in Europe from what I understood” and Ben could see how he connected the dots in his head “Of course, Meg’s the girl you wrote me about, what did you say… your soul mate” Derek teased “Just because you’re the youngest you don’t have to be cheeky brother dear, and yes, I believe that Meg’s my soul mate, just see how quickly we met again and we parted at Mallorca without exchanging e-mails or mobile numbers” “Sometimes I don’t know how you’re thinking. Why didn’t you ask for it, were you planning on going around moping because you didn’t hear from her again” Derek stopped at looked at his brother “Did Maria hurt you that bad?” Ben hadn’t thought about Maria for a long time, they had been dating when Ben and Derek first came to Sunset Beach and Ben had planned on asking her to marry him when he’d found her in bed with Tim Truman, a young man looking for the Californian dream “You know she did Derek, but I don’t want to talk about it” and he was lucky, they had just arrived at Meg and Sarah’s house. The girls had already gotten inside and left the door open for the guys.

Hank and Joan both stood in the living room where they had set the table for dinner “There you all are, and at the same time too” Joan said and hugged both her girls and then Derek her son-in-law and after that Ben, the one she thought was going to be her son-in-law in time. “It smells lovely Joan” Derek said as he put his arm around Sarah’s shoulders “Well why don’t you all sit down” she said “It’s ready I will just bring the last things out” “Do you need any help” both Sarah and Meg said at the same time, being used to help out “No, you can sit down too” Joan smiled at them “You can help out with the dishes afterwards” she teased but knew that was exactly what they were going to do. The meal was pleasant. Hank slowly opened up to both Ben and Derek when they talked about job and business “Without you farmers we wouldn’t be much now would we?” Derek said “I mean if you didn’t grow crops and breed animals we wouldn’t have bread and meat among things and I hope Sarah wants to ‘take me home’ one of these days” he looked affectionate at her “Sure I will, but that has to be after the opening of the hotel and our by then very late honeymoon” she smiled back and met him for a soft kiss. “Oh, I’m looking forward to that day” Joan said and added “You are also welcome Ben, anytime you like. If you come alone or with Meg it doesn’t matter, we’re considering you family too” “Thank you Mrs Cummings” she rolled her eyes “I thought I told you to call me Joan” he smiled “Joan then”

After dinner Meg went out to the kitchen, she put the coffee on and then got cracking on the dishes. She had told Sarah to stay with the others when she had offered to help and told her it was her wedding present. “Can I help you?” Ben cut of her thoughts when he arrived with a pile of plates “Seems to me you already are” she pointed to the counter where he put them down “Meg, is there something wrong?” he asked and she shook her head “it’s just that you seem a bit distant to me” Ben said and took her by the shoulder and turned her around and he found tears in her eyes “But Meg” he held her close “why are you crying” Meg sobbed against his chest “It’s silly really” she said “I think it’s both exhaustion and emotions. It’s been pretty long days and I’m jetlagged” she dried her eyes with a towel and Ben looked at her. The look was pretty intense and he hoped he wouldn’t do wrong by kissing her so he lowered his head to hers.
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

Starting over chapter 09

Chapter nine

Meg turned around and smiled “Hi Ben, I was just telling mom and dad about you forbidding me to steal Mark to work at the hotel” Ben laughed “Well that’s true, he’s the star employee and I’d hate to lose him but he’s a free man and got a very strong will of his own” he praised him. “Nice to see you again Mr and Mrs Cummings” Ben shook hands with Hank and kissed Joan’s cheek “I hope you had a nice evening last night” “It was” Joan said “Although I was exhausted, it had been a long and emotional day” she admitted. “So, how do you find Sunset Beach?” Ben asked “Have you had a chance to look around yet?” “It’s nothing like our little town at home, but I quite like it. My girls have been doing a great job here so far” Hank said proudly. “They certainly have” Ben agreed “I went by the hotel on my morning run today and it looks fantastic, I never thought it would be a hotel again” He pointed towards a table “Why don’t you all sit down and let me buy you lunch” he offered “That’s nice of you but not necessary” Joan said “Well I insist” he said with a smile and guided them over and gave them menus. He pulled a chair for Joan first and then Meg and without letting anyone notice he stroke her arms and she was seated. Meg turned her head “Oh Ben I almost forgot, thank you so much for the roses how did you know they were my favorites?” Ben smiled “I didn’t but it felt right and you’re welcome” “Why don’t you join us?” Joan suggested “I’d like to, but unfortunately I have too much work to do, the joys of coming back from vacation” he said. “Enjoy lunch” he left them and went into his office “He’s such a gentleman, I just hope his brother’s the same” Joan said “Do you think we’ll get to see Sarah and Derek today?” she looked at Meg “I’ve not heard anything from Sarah but I hope we will” she answered and looked at the menu “The chicken looks nice” “I think I’d like an old fashioned burger” Hank chose “May I take your orders” Mark came to their table “Sure, I’ll have a burger” Hank said “And Meggie will have the chicken, what about you dear?” he asked Joan “I’ll have the chicken too” she smiled at Mark “And a glass of iced tea” “We got our own mix on the iced tea, would you like that all around?” “Sure” Hank and Meg said at the same time. “I’m always in for new experiences” Joan added. While they waited for their food Meg sent Sarah a text message telling her to call her.

“Who’s texting you?” Derek asked lazily from bed “Meg, she wants me to call her. I bet she and my parents wants us to come over to the house or something” Derek rested his head in the hand and looked at Sarah “Will there be a home cooked meal in the deal?” Sarah threw herself on the bed next to him “Is that all you think about” and Derek grinned “That and having hot steamy sex with my wife” he pulled her in for a kiss. “Oh Derek” Sarah moaned as he kissed her on that special spot on her neck.

Back at the Java Web Meg, Joan and Hank finished their lunch with a cup of coffee “So, would you like to do some more sightseeing?” Meg asked. Joan looked at Hank “I guess we’ll go back to the house, unless there is something you want to show us special” Meg shook her head “No, I was actually thinking about getting to the office and look thru some bills and things. We need to start interviewing our staff next week” Meg sighed “Gosh, there is so much to do, I really hope Sarah and Derek plans on having a late honeymoon, when we’ve opened I will be able to run the place by myself but hiring staff we said we’d do together” Hank put a hand on her arm and smiled “I don’t think Sarah will leave it to you, even though she’s always been a bit too impulsive for her own good” Joan got up “So Meg, I guess there isn’t much groceries in the house, why don’t Hank and I go shopping and we’ll cook dinner at home tonight. Tell Sarah and Derek to come when or if you talk to them” Hank too got up “And if you see Ben again ask him too, he’s after all Derek’s family” Joan added and hooked her arm under her husband’s “Come on Hank” she steered him out of the café before he could stir something up, Meg had always been the apple of his eye. “What’s the hurry” he asked when they came outside “No hurry, but I know you Hank Cummings and weather you like it or not I believe that in the seeable future we’ll have a second wedding in our family and both our daughters will have Evans as their last name” “Well knowing my Meggie, it won’t be as hasty as Sarah’s at least” “No, I think both Meg and Ben are more careful and like to plan things” they started to walk towards the store.

Meg stood at the counter ordering a cup of coffee to go. She didn’t know if the machine in the office would work and she knew she’d be there for a while. Just as Mark finished it up for her Ben came out of the office “Put that on the same bill Mark” Ben said and Meg smiled at him “It’s not necessary, I can pay for it” “Why are you Kansas people insisting on paying” he laughed and Meg shrugged her shoulders “Well then, I better extend my mother’s invitation for dinner this evening, she’s cooking. We’re hoping that Sarah and Derek come too” “Oh, if you let Derek know your mother’s cooking he’ll be there almost before you say it” Ben laughed “He’s always been a sucker for a home cooked meal” Meg corrected the strap of her handbag “And you, are you too a sucker for a home cooked meal” “Sure, but I like it just as much to cook myself” “Oh” Meg said surprised “Myself or together with someone” Ben added “Anyways, I better get back to the books” he said “I know all about it. I’m on my way to the office myself” she started to walk “Oh Ben, maybe if I may have your cell phone number I can send you a text when I know what time dinner will be” Ben looked in his pocket for a business card and found one “Here” he said and before he handed it to her he wrote something on the back “My home number if you ever should need it” he winked an eye at her “Have a nice afternoon in the office” “You too, and thanks a lot for lunch, it was great” Meg said and she left. Mark caught Ben’s eye just before he turned around “You got it bad this time boss” he laughed and Ben shook his head with a big smile on his face.

When Meg arrived at the office she put her coffee down and started the computer. She looked thru the pile of letters and started sorting them in new piles, most of them were CV’s from people who wanted to work at the hotel. She also made some notes about people to call to arrange the big opening weekend. Her cell phone rang and she picked it up without looking who called “It’s Meg here” she said “Hey sis” Sarah said in the other end “I was to call you” Meg sipped her coffee “Yes, mom is making dinner tonight and wants you and Derek to come over” “That won’t be any problems” they small talked a bit “By the way Sarah, do you know where the prospect from the security company is? I’d like to look it over” “I think it’s in the left top drawer in my desk. It’s a file with their logo on” Meg went over and opened the drawer “Yeah, it’s here. Thanks” “You’re welcome. When shall we be at the house?” Sarah asked and Meg looked at the piles “Tomorrow morning by the looks on what I have to do here, but is 7 ok with you?” “It is great” Sarah confirmed “Shall I call mom?” “Yes I think she’d appreciate it” Meg answered before they hung up.
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010