Chapter thirty
“And what makes you think we’re interested?” It was actually Ben and not Derek who said it “Do you know what we had to go thru, first with your death and then settling everything with aunt Louise’s estate” “I know you probably don’t believe me, but I really am sorry about that” she took a deep breath “Have you gotten the deeds for the house back yet?” Fiona asked “No” Ben answered and saw Meg getting up “This was in the mail today” she took what looked like a legal envelope from the side table at the door. “Ben, before you open it, there’s something I need to tell you” Ben’s eyes got darker, he suspected what was coming and didn’t like it at all “Don’t tell us that you first put us thru all what we’ve talked about and now you bought the estate yourself?” he threw the papers down in front of Derek “You can deal with this, I’m out of here” Ben grabbed his keys and walked out the front door. “Ben! Please don’t go” Fiona got up and just managed to grab his arm before he walked out “Ben, we need to talk about this. I know it’s my fault” furious Ben turned around “Yes you’re right about that, but I’m not interested” he shook himself loose and left. Meg who was still standing walked over to Fiona “I think we need to let him cool down” They sat down again and while Derek opened the papers Del told them that it actually was he who had bought the estate as a wedding present for Fiona.
Ben was in a foul mood when he reached the Deep, he unlocked the door and went inside and straight to his office. He took out a bottle of whiskey and a glass and sat down at his desk. It was a long time ago he had wanted to solve a problem with a glass of whiskey. He poured a glass but let it stand on the table in front of him. He was so frustrated that he didn’t know what to do. He left the office and went downstairs into the wine cellar but not even there he could find any peace. Although he stayed there, with his whiskey glass still untouched and Meg found him there an hour after he had stormed out of the house. “Can we talk?” Meg stood in the door and Ben looked up shrugging his shoulders “There’s not anything to talk about” “Oh yes Ben there is” she walked down the few steps “I agree it wasn’t fair of Fiona to do all of this, but you didn’t stay around to hear about how Del did everything to get the estate as a wedding present for your mother” Ben shook his head “I don’t think I ever will be able to forgive them for that, or for keeping Annie away for all those years. I mean I’ve not seen my father since I was 10” Meg sat down next to him “But you have to understand Fiona too, she didn’t want to put Annie thru what you both had to go thru and Annie not being your father’s child probably would have made it even worse” “Meg, it’s not that I don’t understand. I’m just so hurt by her behavior” he reached for the glass but just held it “Have you had many of those” Meg nodded towards the glass “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, this is the first one and I’m not having this one” he said stood up and threw the glass in the wall “Ben!” he stood with his back to Meg “Meg, just go and let me be” she took a step closer “I’m warning you Meg. I’m no good company like this” she took another step and one more and was just behind him. She put her arms around his waist “Ben, I’m not going anywhere, I’m here for you. You should know that by now” Ben turned around and took her by her shoulders “Meg, I’m not used to this, to people, women especially to be caring about me like you do” Meg stood on her tiptoes and reached for his face “But I am here and I care so just get used to it” then she kissed him. The kiss grew deeper and hotter and if it hadn’t been for Mark coming downstairs to fill up the bar who know where it may have led.
The day before Fiona, Del and Annie was about to leave they were all gathered at Ben and Meg’s for dinner. Joan had come too for the weekend. Sarah and Derek had had their baby-girl just a few days ago, about two week’s early. Everyone was cooing over her where she was laying in her pram, according to Sarah, finally sleeping. “Have you decided on a name yet?” it was Joan who asked as they sat down to eat. Sarah shook her head “No” “No?” Ben said and looked at his brother “You have made all other decisions this past year quickly” he was teasing them. “Well, I want to name her Louise after our aunt, but Sarah don’t” Sarah gave him a look “Would you like your family to see your daughter and think of an old aunt, I don’t really think so” Joan put a hand on Sarah’s “Take your time, a name isn’t easy to come up with” Sarah smiled at her mother “How did you and dad decide?” “Well it wasn’t easy, we had many suggestions brought to us and then we came up with a few ourselves, especially for you Sarah, I don’t really remember why we decided on Sarah, but when it came up we felt it suited you so we decided on it” “I remember” Fiona started “That it was hard to come up with names for the boys, but Annie I knew at once I wanted my baby girl to be named” she looked around. “So Annie, what will you do when you get back?” Meg asked “I’m not sure yet, the best would be to find a job” she had been at the Deep almost every evening so Meg had gotten to know her pretty well “If you don’t find anything come here, there must be something for you at the hotel and you can get to know your brothers a bit more” Annie smiled at her “You’re too kind Meg, I might take you up on that offer” “And you don’t have to worry about where to live, there’s always room at Surf Central” “That’s where Casey and some of the other lifeguards are staying too isn’t it?” “Yes, Casey is kind of looking after the house for us” Meg said “Maybe we could put you up here in the spare-room if you come” Ben suggested and Meg saw he had that protective look in his eyes. Annie had at least gotten under his skin in a good way, it was really his mother he was crossed with. “Don’t you listen to Ben, of course you’re welcome to stay here, but Casey is one of the good guys and I trust him completely” “I’ll see what I’ll do” Annie made half a promise to come back soon. The rest of dinner went on and before everyone knew it, it was time for the Douglas to leave. Joan left with Sarah and Derek, she had been staying there to help out a bit. She too soon had to leave but wanted to spend as much time as possible with her granddaughter but before she was going back to Kansas she was to go with Meg to LA to look at wedding dresses.
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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-
A Blog with stuff made by me, if it's crocheting, writing or pictures made in Paint Shop Pro, it's all here! Enjoy and please comment :)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Starting over Chapter 29
Chapter twenty nine
Ben pulled the woman by her arm into the kitchen and before the door had closed he looked furiously at her “What are you doing here? You died” the woman looked at him “I’m sorry Ben, I didn’t…” “You didn’t what?” he couldn’t believe his eyes. Derek entered the kitchen “Hey Ben, Mark said you wanted to see me” the woman turned around and looked at her other son “You, what are you doing here, we buried you” Derek was just as furious as Ben “I can explain” Fiona looked at her boys “I surely hope so” said Ben “Can I sit?” Fiona nodded towards the stools at the kitchen island “I guess” Ben shrugged his shoulders “Why now, why today?” Derek asked but just as she was going to answer Meg and Sarah came thru the door. “What are you up to?” Meg asked “The party is not in here” Sarah added before the both looked at Fiona. They had seen old photos “Is this…?” Meg looked at Ben “Isn’t she dead?” was Sarah’s question as she took Derek’s hand. “Yes and apparently not” Ben answered both questions “This really isn’t the time or place” Ben said as he didn’t trust Derek who usually wasn’t as diplomatic. Fiona looked at Meg and Sarah “You must be the Cummings’ sisters who owns the hotel” Meg extended her hand “I’m Meg Cummings, this is my sister Sarah” she looked at Sarah who too shook the woman’s hand “Sarah Evans” she said full of self-confidence as she felt Derek’s hand on the small of her back “Sarah’s my wife” Derek explained with both pride and hurt in his voice “I’m Fiona Douglas” the woman introduced herself “As you’ve guessed I’m Ben and Derek’s mother” she looked again at her sons and got tears in her eyes “I know you probably will have a hard time to forgive me, but I want to tell it all to you. To the four of you” she looked at Meg and Sarah “I know you’re engaged to my Ben Meg” she said and looked then at Sarah “But that I was going to be a grandmother my contacts didn’t tell me” Everyone was silent “if you all let me” she added “Can we talk about this tomorrow?” Meg suggested “I think we’re all let’s say a bit more than shocked” she looked around “Ok then, lunch here at one, I should be done at the hotel by then” Meg said and Fiona looked at them all “Is it ok that I bring my husband and daughter?” “Of course, the more the merrier” Derek said sarcastically.
Meg was the one who walked her to the door “I hope I didn’t ruin your evening, I would have waited if I knew you had a party” Meg smiled “That’s ok, it wasn’t easy for you to know. We’ll sort everything out tomorrow” she closed the door and went back to the kitchen where Ben and Derek were talking about their mother with angry voices. Sarah was trying to calm them down but hadn’t had much luck “Shall we go back to the party before the others start to wonder” Meg said and pushed Ben and Derek to the door as she looked over the shoulder and nodded towards the fridge for Sarah to take the cake out. The party went on but not as long as Meg had thought, maybe the guests too felt the tension both Ben and Derek carried. It was before midnight when Ben and Meg went to bed “Ben” Meg spoke softly to him “Please talk to me, tell me how you’re feeling” Ben sat up in bed and took her hands “Betrayed” was his first word “angry, disappointed and” he took a deep breath “so happy that you were there with me” Meg lent forward and kissed him softly “I’m always here for you, don’t ever forget that”. They talked a little more and then fell asleep close together.
The next morning Meg was at the hotel already at seven am. She had to catch the chef as soon as he arrived and ask him to prepare lunch for take away. Around nine a man in his early 60’s with red-ish hair came up to the reception disk “May I help you?” Meg asked “Yes please I’m in suite 434, Douglas, and we need some extra towels” Meg looked at the computer “Sure Mr Douglas, I’ve got the cleaning staff on that floor as we speak so it will be taken care of at once. Will you need it for the rest of you stay?” “That would be nice, both my wife and daughter uses a lot, hair, body… you know” Meg smiled “I understand. I will see to it that you get extras the full stay. Anything else I can help you with?” “No, thanks, that was all” Meg lifted the phone to informed the cleaners. When she sat back down she realized ‘Douglas… that must be Fiona’s husband… and the woman who called and book her daughter’.
Meg came home just in time to put the food on plates and reheat what needed to be reheated. Ben was nowhere to be found. She only hoped he’d be back in time. Quickly she set the table and then changed into a nice summer dress instead of her business suite, she was just walking down the stairs when the doorbell rang. When she opened it there was a woman her own age with red hair “Hi, is this Ben Evans’ place?” she said with a Scottish accent “Yes, who are you?” Meg didn’t really like surprises when she was rushed. “I’m Annie…Annie Douglas, my mother said to meet her and daddy here” Meg smiled “You’re Annie, come on in, I’m Meg” she stepped aside and showed Annie to the sitting area “Can I offer you something to drink” Meg walked towards the bar “Just some water please, I still feel the effects of flying” Annie answered “Jet lag isn’t very fun” Meg remembered back when she came to Sunset Beach after her vacation. “So, is my ‘brother’ around?” Annie asked and made quotes with her fingers. “Sorry, Ben’s not home yet, I hope he soon will be” Meg walked over to the table to fix some last minute settings. “So, how do you find Sunset Beach so far?” she asked “It seems like a nice city, I’ve found the cutest little shop just around the corner from the hotel” Annie said “Oh you did, that’s my friend Tina from Sweden who runs it. It’s mine and Sarah’s” “It is, I really liked it” “I will” Meg promised and went to open the door as the bell rang again, this time it was Fiona and her husband who Meg recognized from the morning “Meg, this is Del Douglas my husband” Fiona introduced “Nice to meet you again Mr Douglas, I would have introduced myself this morning if I’d known it was you” Del shook Meg’s hand “No worries Miss Cummings” Meg smiled “Please call me Meg” she looked over at Annie “All of you” Fiona looked around and saw the table “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble Meg” “I didn’t, I brought it home from the hotel” she started to get worried, neither Ben nor Derek and Sarah had turned up yet “Will you excuse me while I make a phone call” she said and walked into the kitchen. She called next door, but there were no answer so she quickly called Sarah’s cell phone “We’re on the way” Sarah answered “I had a doctor’s appointment that I forgot to tell you about yesterday, we should be there in 10 minutes” “Good, can you ask Derek if he’s talked to Ben, I can’t seem to find him. He’s not answering any phones and Mark said he hadn’t been in at either the Java Web or his downstairs office” Meg heard Sarah ask Derek and the answer too. “Well hurry the two of you, the Douglas’ are already here” Meg hung up and went to her guests. “Derek and Sarah should be here in just a few minutes” Meg told them “Can I offer you two something to drink?” she looked at Fiona and Del “Not for me” Fiona said as Del shook his head. At that moment Ben came thru the terrace door, all sweaty from his run. “There you are” Meg looked at him a little disappointed “Our lunch guests have arrived” Ben saw his mother, a man and a woman just a few years younger than himself. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be back down” he said and took the stairs two steps a time.
Meg and Sarah did their best to keep the conversation going thru lunch. Ben and Derek were no help, they weren’t exactly sulking but they didn’t contribute with anything. When Meg had served the coffee she sat down and looked at Fiona “So, I’ve not know Ben and Derek for that long, but right now they’re just being plain stubborn. Of course you are all hurt here, but please Fiona can you tell us?” “Of course I can and will” she looked around the table, at her husband and daughter, both her sons and the women in their lives. “What I’m going to tell might shock you some, but some you will find you understand” this she said looking at Ben and Derek “I will start at the summer/early autumn where Ben and Derek just had turned 3. I was still married to their father and well it’s not secret he was an alcoholic” she took a deep breath “Do you remember that you spent a lot of time with aunt Louise?” “Vaguely” Ben answered. “Anyways, I was never truly happy in the marriage to your father, but I stayed for you both” she looked with sad eyes at her sons “I don’t know what would have happened to you otherwise. I asked for divorce once, but got to know that I’d never get to see you and I couldn’t bare that” Del put his hand on hers in support, he knew the full story. After a quick look at him Fiona continued “Well I met Del at a New Year’s Party and one thing lead to another. When I realized I was pregnant it was too late to do anything but carry on, so I let you boys stay with my aunt and left to stay with Del in Scotland. I had my baby in the end of September and it’s Annie” she smiled at her daughter, who knew some of the story but not all. Fiona took a zip of her water glass “I couldn’t keep Annie near me with you boys, I didn’t know what your father would do. So I let Annie grow up with Del and it broke my heart not to have all my children with me all the time” “But why did you fake your own death, didn’t you think it would hurt Derek and Ben” Sarah asked “Of course I knew they would be hurt and it took a really long time before I set my plans in action. You see, Albert, that’s their father was still alive and although we didn’t live together we were still married” she looked at Ben and Derek “You know he wasn’t around much and that I chose to live with aunt Louise when you both grew up and went to college and then here to the US” they both nodded “I knew you both could cope on your own, and I needed to be close to Annie” she held out her hand and Annie took it and nodded “Annie got cancer that I’m so happy that she’s now cured from and the easiest way to be with her was to ‘die’ in England and go live with Del and Annie in Scotland under a fake name. I was after all still married” “So, how come you’re here now?” Ben asked “Well, I got the news just a couple of months ago that your father had passed away. Was there anyone who contacted you both?” they shook their heads “When I heard Del and I returned to England and started sorting everything out and when I was ‘alive’ again we got married in Scotland and then we decided we needed to come here and talk to you both”
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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-
Ben pulled the woman by her arm into the kitchen and before the door had closed he looked furiously at her “What are you doing here? You died” the woman looked at him “I’m sorry Ben, I didn’t…” “You didn’t what?” he couldn’t believe his eyes. Derek entered the kitchen “Hey Ben, Mark said you wanted to see me” the woman turned around and looked at her other son “You, what are you doing here, we buried you” Derek was just as furious as Ben “I can explain” Fiona looked at her boys “I surely hope so” said Ben “Can I sit?” Fiona nodded towards the stools at the kitchen island “I guess” Ben shrugged his shoulders “Why now, why today?” Derek asked but just as she was going to answer Meg and Sarah came thru the door. “What are you up to?” Meg asked “The party is not in here” Sarah added before the both looked at Fiona. They had seen old photos “Is this…?” Meg looked at Ben “Isn’t she dead?” was Sarah’s question as she took Derek’s hand. “Yes and apparently not” Ben answered both questions “This really isn’t the time or place” Ben said as he didn’t trust Derek who usually wasn’t as diplomatic. Fiona looked at Meg and Sarah “You must be the Cummings’ sisters who owns the hotel” Meg extended her hand “I’m Meg Cummings, this is my sister Sarah” she looked at Sarah who too shook the woman’s hand “Sarah Evans” she said full of self-confidence as she felt Derek’s hand on the small of her back “Sarah’s my wife” Derek explained with both pride and hurt in his voice “I’m Fiona Douglas” the woman introduced herself “As you’ve guessed I’m Ben and Derek’s mother” she looked again at her sons and got tears in her eyes “I know you probably will have a hard time to forgive me, but I want to tell it all to you. To the four of you” she looked at Meg and Sarah “I know you’re engaged to my Ben Meg” she said and looked then at Sarah “But that I was going to be a grandmother my contacts didn’t tell me” Everyone was silent “if you all let me” she added “Can we talk about this tomorrow?” Meg suggested “I think we’re all let’s say a bit more than shocked” she looked around “Ok then, lunch here at one, I should be done at the hotel by then” Meg said and Fiona looked at them all “Is it ok that I bring my husband and daughter?” “Of course, the more the merrier” Derek said sarcastically.
Meg was the one who walked her to the door “I hope I didn’t ruin your evening, I would have waited if I knew you had a party” Meg smiled “That’s ok, it wasn’t easy for you to know. We’ll sort everything out tomorrow” she closed the door and went back to the kitchen where Ben and Derek were talking about their mother with angry voices. Sarah was trying to calm them down but hadn’t had much luck “Shall we go back to the party before the others start to wonder” Meg said and pushed Ben and Derek to the door as she looked over the shoulder and nodded towards the fridge for Sarah to take the cake out. The party went on but not as long as Meg had thought, maybe the guests too felt the tension both Ben and Derek carried. It was before midnight when Ben and Meg went to bed “Ben” Meg spoke softly to him “Please talk to me, tell me how you’re feeling” Ben sat up in bed and took her hands “Betrayed” was his first word “angry, disappointed and” he took a deep breath “so happy that you were there with me” Meg lent forward and kissed him softly “I’m always here for you, don’t ever forget that”. They talked a little more and then fell asleep close together.
The next morning Meg was at the hotel already at seven am. She had to catch the chef as soon as he arrived and ask him to prepare lunch for take away. Around nine a man in his early 60’s with red-ish hair came up to the reception disk “May I help you?” Meg asked “Yes please I’m in suite 434, Douglas, and we need some extra towels” Meg looked at the computer “Sure Mr Douglas, I’ve got the cleaning staff on that floor as we speak so it will be taken care of at once. Will you need it for the rest of you stay?” “That would be nice, both my wife and daughter uses a lot, hair, body… you know” Meg smiled “I understand. I will see to it that you get extras the full stay. Anything else I can help you with?” “No, thanks, that was all” Meg lifted the phone to informed the cleaners. When she sat back down she realized ‘Douglas… that must be Fiona’s husband… and the woman who called and book her daughter’.
Meg came home just in time to put the food on plates and reheat what needed to be reheated. Ben was nowhere to be found. She only hoped he’d be back in time. Quickly she set the table and then changed into a nice summer dress instead of her business suite, she was just walking down the stairs when the doorbell rang. When she opened it there was a woman her own age with red hair “Hi, is this Ben Evans’ place?” she said with a Scottish accent “Yes, who are you?” Meg didn’t really like surprises when she was rushed. “I’m Annie…Annie Douglas, my mother said to meet her and daddy here” Meg smiled “You’re Annie, come on in, I’m Meg” she stepped aside and showed Annie to the sitting area “Can I offer you something to drink” Meg walked towards the bar “Just some water please, I still feel the effects of flying” Annie answered “Jet lag isn’t very fun” Meg remembered back when she came to Sunset Beach after her vacation. “So, is my ‘brother’ around?” Annie asked and made quotes with her fingers. “Sorry, Ben’s not home yet, I hope he soon will be” Meg walked over to the table to fix some last minute settings. “So, how do you find Sunset Beach so far?” she asked “It seems like a nice city, I’ve found the cutest little shop just around the corner from the hotel” Annie said “Oh you did, that’s my friend Tina from Sweden who runs it. It’s mine and Sarah’s” “It is, I really liked it” “I will” Meg promised and went to open the door as the bell rang again, this time it was Fiona and her husband who Meg recognized from the morning “Meg, this is Del Douglas my husband” Fiona introduced “Nice to meet you again Mr Douglas, I would have introduced myself this morning if I’d known it was you” Del shook Meg’s hand “No worries Miss Cummings” Meg smiled “Please call me Meg” she looked over at Annie “All of you” Fiona looked around and saw the table “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble Meg” “I didn’t, I brought it home from the hotel” she started to get worried, neither Ben nor Derek and Sarah had turned up yet “Will you excuse me while I make a phone call” she said and walked into the kitchen. She called next door, but there were no answer so she quickly called Sarah’s cell phone “We’re on the way” Sarah answered “I had a doctor’s appointment that I forgot to tell you about yesterday, we should be there in 10 minutes” “Good, can you ask Derek if he’s talked to Ben, I can’t seem to find him. He’s not answering any phones and Mark said he hadn’t been in at either the Java Web or his downstairs office” Meg heard Sarah ask Derek and the answer too. “Well hurry the two of you, the Douglas’ are already here” Meg hung up and went to her guests. “Derek and Sarah should be here in just a few minutes” Meg told them “Can I offer you two something to drink?” she looked at Fiona and Del “Not for me” Fiona said as Del shook his head. At that moment Ben came thru the terrace door, all sweaty from his run. “There you are” Meg looked at him a little disappointed “Our lunch guests have arrived” Ben saw his mother, a man and a woman just a few years younger than himself. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be back down” he said and took the stairs two steps a time.
Meg and Sarah did their best to keep the conversation going thru lunch. Ben and Derek were no help, they weren’t exactly sulking but they didn’t contribute with anything. When Meg had served the coffee she sat down and looked at Fiona “So, I’ve not know Ben and Derek for that long, but right now they’re just being plain stubborn. Of course you are all hurt here, but please Fiona can you tell us?” “Of course I can and will” she looked around the table, at her husband and daughter, both her sons and the women in their lives. “What I’m going to tell might shock you some, but some you will find you understand” this she said looking at Ben and Derek “I will start at the summer/early autumn where Ben and Derek just had turned 3. I was still married to their father and well it’s not secret he was an alcoholic” she took a deep breath “Do you remember that you spent a lot of time with aunt Louise?” “Vaguely” Ben answered. “Anyways, I was never truly happy in the marriage to your father, but I stayed for you both” she looked with sad eyes at her sons “I don’t know what would have happened to you otherwise. I asked for divorce once, but got to know that I’d never get to see you and I couldn’t bare that” Del put his hand on hers in support, he knew the full story. After a quick look at him Fiona continued “Well I met Del at a New Year’s Party and one thing lead to another. When I realized I was pregnant it was too late to do anything but carry on, so I let you boys stay with my aunt and left to stay with Del in Scotland. I had my baby in the end of September and it’s Annie” she smiled at her daughter, who knew some of the story but not all. Fiona took a zip of her water glass “I couldn’t keep Annie near me with you boys, I didn’t know what your father would do. So I let Annie grow up with Del and it broke my heart not to have all my children with me all the time” “But why did you fake your own death, didn’t you think it would hurt Derek and Ben” Sarah asked “Of course I knew they would be hurt and it took a really long time before I set my plans in action. You see, Albert, that’s their father was still alive and although we didn’t live together we were still married” she looked at Ben and Derek “You know he wasn’t around much and that I chose to live with aunt Louise when you both grew up and went to college and then here to the US” they both nodded “I knew you both could cope on your own, and I needed to be close to Annie” she held out her hand and Annie took it and nodded “Annie got cancer that I’m so happy that she’s now cured from and the easiest way to be with her was to ‘die’ in England and go live with Del and Annie in Scotland under a fake name. I was after all still married” “So, how come you’re here now?” Ben asked “Well, I got the news just a couple of months ago that your father had passed away. Was there anyone who contacted you both?” they shook their heads “When I heard Del and I returned to England and started sorting everything out and when I was ‘alive’ again we got married in Scotland and then we decided we needed to come here and talk to you both”
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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, December 1, 2011
Starting over Chapter 28
Chapter twenty eight
Meg left her roses with her parents when she and Ben went back to Sunset Beach the following Tuesday. As much as she had been enjoying being ‘home’, she was happy to return. She longed to get back to work. “Something bothering you?” Ben asked “No” Meg shook her head “I just long to be home” Ben looked at her “Home in Sunset Beach of course” she smiled “I didn’t think I’d miss it that much” she said. “Meg” Ben took her hand “I have to say it or I’ll go crazy. I think we should talk when we get home. I’m not sure we got it all sorted Valentine’s day” she shrugged her shoulders “There’s not much more to say, unless you’ve got some questions, but we’ll save it for home”. At that moment the pilot turned the fasten seat belt sign on and informed the passengers it was time to land. When they had landed and gotten their luggage it was close to noon so they stopped by the Java Web for some lunch and of course Ben took care of some business. After dropping of their bags Meg headed to the hotel to talk to Sarah and of course she too got straight into work. It was around ten p.m. when Meg finally got back home. She found Ben in the kitchen making some sandwiches “You’ve just arrived too?” she asked walking over for a kiss “Yeah, crazy isn’t it. Here we just got back from a week’s vacation and we both just throw ourselves into work” he smiled at her. He took her hand and lead her over to the stools at the other side of the kitchen island. “I know it’s been a long day for us both, but I want this over and done with. I know you said I could ask you anything if I was wondering and well I’ve been thinking a bit of this, mostly since you’ve been, well let’s say not really your usual happy self” he took a deep breath “You know, back then…” Meg looked up at him “When I had my miscarriage?” she asked “Yes, you didn’t suffer any harm did you, I mean I’d love for us to have our own kids more than anything, but if we for some reason can’t I’m not different to adopting. There are many kids out there that need good homes with loving parents” Meg leant forward and kissed him on the cheek before she took his hands “Ben, don’t you worry, to my knowledge there shouldn’t be any problems, but I’ve got my yearly examination coming up soon and I can ask to be sure” She got of the stool to get some cups for their coffee “Is there anything else you want to talk about in this subject, questions about me and John?” Ben shook his head “Then I really want us to close the subject and not bring it up again. To me this is something in the past that I probably wouldn’t have thought about if we hadn’t met John” Ben pulled her close for a hug “If you say so, but don’t go around thinking about it, please talk to me to instead” Meg smiled “How could I get to lucky to find such a nice and understandable man. I promise I’ll talk to you if I feel the need”
Spring came fast to Sunset Beach, the hotel had had a bit of down period between Valentine’s Day and Easter, but it was now back with all rooms booked at least for the weekends. Meg couldn’t really believe they had been so lucky already within their first year. It was now the beginning of May and Sarah had been ordered to cut down on work by the doctor or she’d have the baby early. Meg knew it was driving Sarah nuts staying home resting so she ordered a picnic basket at the Java Web and went to spend some time with her sister. She found Sarah sitting with her feet up and a sketch pad in her lap on the balcony. “Hey there” Meg said “I brought lunch” she showed off the basket “Great, I’m starving” Sarah put the pad down “What’s in it?” she asked curiously “A bit of this and that from the Java Web” Meg opened the basket and started to set the table. “What were you working on?” it was Meg’s turn to be curious, especially since Sarah had quickly put the pad upside down “Nothing really” Sarah answered and reached for some salad and out it on a plate, but Meg was quick. “Are you drawing a new house? Will you build a bigger house?” she asked when she saw the drawings. “Nah, we like this one. I was just bored. Maybe I can sell it to some architect” “I know you Sarah Evans, you’re not just bored, you and Derek’s have been looking at plots, haven’t you?” she looked her sister straight in the eyes and Sarah had never been able to lie to Meg. “I’ll tell only because you bring such lovely food” Sarah started to eat and told Meg all about the ideas and where to build if they decided to do so. Soon the conversation turned into work. “Oh by the way Sarah, do you know anyone in Scotland?” Sarah shook her head “No, why are you asking?” “There was this woman calling to book a hotel. She said she was from Scotland and asked if Sarah Evans was from Scotland or England” “What was her name?” Sarah asked “Annie… Annie Douglas” Meg said. “Can’t say it rings any bells, but Derek and Ben are from England, so maybe it’s some distant relative. Have you asked Ben about it?” Meg nodded “Sure, but he didn’t know anyone by that name either” “So, did she book a room?” Sarah asked “Yeah, arriving next weekend and staying for two weeks, maybe we’ll get an answer to the mystery then?” Meg took a sip of her drink.
The next weekend came, but neither Meg nor Sarah was at the hotel when Annie checked in. Annie was not travelling alone, she was going with her father Del and ‘mother’ Fiona. It had been almost two years now since her father had remarried. She loved Fiona like she was her real mother, although there was something sad about her that Annie never had found out. Something was strange with this trip though.
Sarah and Meg was busy decorating in Ben and Meg’s house. Today was Ben and Derek’s birthday, they were turning 32 this year. They had only invited their closest friends, but that was quite a big bunch of Sunset Beachers. “Ben” Meg called up the stairs “Are you finished? I need the shower too before the guests arrive” “Sorry” Ben walked out of his office “I’ve been working, but you can join me” he said and grinned “Hey Ben, no such talk in front of your niece or nephew” Sarah said “And you want me to believe that Derek never says stuff like that? I know my brother Sarah, you go home a bit and let me and Meg finish this” People started to dwell in around six and by seven the party was at full speed. The doorbell rang and Mark called out that he’d open it as he was closest to it. Outside stood a woman in her late 50’s “I’m looking for Ben Evans, this is his house isn’t it?” Mark nodded “Sure is, it’s his birthday today, let me see if I can find him, please come inside and wait here” he walked off to look for Ben who he found at the barbeque on the balcony “Hey Ben, there’s a lady at the door looking for you” “Who?” “I don’t know Ben, she just asked for you” “Ok then” Ben said and followed Mark but stopped in his steps. Mark noticed that he had stopped and looked at a shocked Ben “What’s wrong Ben?” “Find Derek and tell him to come to the kitchen”
___________________________________________________________________________
All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010-
Meg left her roses with her parents when she and Ben went back to Sunset Beach the following Tuesday. As much as she had been enjoying being ‘home’, she was happy to return. She longed to get back to work. “Something bothering you?” Ben asked “No” Meg shook her head “I just long to be home” Ben looked at her “Home in Sunset Beach of course” she smiled “I didn’t think I’d miss it that much” she said. “Meg” Ben took her hand “I have to say it or I’ll go crazy. I think we should talk when we get home. I’m not sure we got it all sorted Valentine’s day” she shrugged her shoulders “There’s not much more to say, unless you’ve got some questions, but we’ll save it for home”. At that moment the pilot turned the fasten seat belt sign on and informed the passengers it was time to land. When they had landed and gotten their luggage it was close to noon so they stopped by the Java Web for some lunch and of course Ben took care of some business. After dropping of their bags Meg headed to the hotel to talk to Sarah and of course she too got straight into work. It was around ten p.m. when Meg finally got back home. She found Ben in the kitchen making some sandwiches “You’ve just arrived too?” she asked walking over for a kiss “Yeah, crazy isn’t it. Here we just got back from a week’s vacation and we both just throw ourselves into work” he smiled at her. He took her hand and lead her over to the stools at the other side of the kitchen island. “I know it’s been a long day for us both, but I want this over and done with. I know you said I could ask you anything if I was wondering and well I’ve been thinking a bit of this, mostly since you’ve been, well let’s say not really your usual happy self” he took a deep breath “You know, back then…” Meg looked up at him “When I had my miscarriage?” she asked “Yes, you didn’t suffer any harm did you, I mean I’d love for us to have our own kids more than anything, but if we for some reason can’t I’m not different to adopting. There are many kids out there that need good homes with loving parents” Meg leant forward and kissed him on the cheek before she took his hands “Ben, don’t you worry, to my knowledge there shouldn’t be any problems, but I’ve got my yearly examination coming up soon and I can ask to be sure” She got of the stool to get some cups for their coffee “Is there anything else you want to talk about in this subject, questions about me and John?” Ben shook his head “Then I really want us to close the subject and not bring it up again. To me this is something in the past that I probably wouldn’t have thought about if we hadn’t met John” Ben pulled her close for a hug “If you say so, but don’t go around thinking about it, please talk to me to instead” Meg smiled “How could I get to lucky to find such a nice and understandable man. I promise I’ll talk to you if I feel the need”
Spring came fast to Sunset Beach, the hotel had had a bit of down period between Valentine’s Day and Easter, but it was now back with all rooms booked at least for the weekends. Meg couldn’t really believe they had been so lucky already within their first year. It was now the beginning of May and Sarah had been ordered to cut down on work by the doctor or she’d have the baby early. Meg knew it was driving Sarah nuts staying home resting so she ordered a picnic basket at the Java Web and went to spend some time with her sister. She found Sarah sitting with her feet up and a sketch pad in her lap on the balcony. “Hey there” Meg said “I brought lunch” she showed off the basket “Great, I’m starving” Sarah put the pad down “What’s in it?” she asked curiously “A bit of this and that from the Java Web” Meg opened the basket and started to set the table. “What were you working on?” it was Meg’s turn to be curious, especially since Sarah had quickly put the pad upside down “Nothing really” Sarah answered and reached for some salad and out it on a plate, but Meg was quick. “Are you drawing a new house? Will you build a bigger house?” she asked when she saw the drawings. “Nah, we like this one. I was just bored. Maybe I can sell it to some architect” “I know you Sarah Evans, you’re not just bored, you and Derek’s have been looking at plots, haven’t you?” she looked her sister straight in the eyes and Sarah had never been able to lie to Meg. “I’ll tell only because you bring such lovely food” Sarah started to eat and told Meg all about the ideas and where to build if they decided to do so. Soon the conversation turned into work. “Oh by the way Sarah, do you know anyone in Scotland?” Sarah shook her head “No, why are you asking?” “There was this woman calling to book a hotel. She said she was from Scotland and asked if Sarah Evans was from Scotland or England” “What was her name?” Sarah asked “Annie… Annie Douglas” Meg said. “Can’t say it rings any bells, but Derek and Ben are from England, so maybe it’s some distant relative. Have you asked Ben about it?” Meg nodded “Sure, but he didn’t know anyone by that name either” “So, did she book a room?” Sarah asked “Yeah, arriving next weekend and staying for two weeks, maybe we’ll get an answer to the mystery then?” Meg took a sip of her drink.
The next weekend came, but neither Meg nor Sarah was at the hotel when Annie checked in. Annie was not travelling alone, she was going with her father Del and ‘mother’ Fiona. It had been almost two years now since her father had remarried. She loved Fiona like she was her real mother, although there was something sad about her that Annie never had found out. Something was strange with this trip though.
Sarah and Meg was busy decorating in Ben and Meg’s house. Today was Ben and Derek’s birthday, they were turning 32 this year. They had only invited their closest friends, but that was quite a big bunch of Sunset Beachers. “Ben” Meg called up the stairs “Are you finished? I need the shower too before the guests arrive” “Sorry” Ben walked out of his office “I’ve been working, but you can join me” he said and grinned “Hey Ben, no such talk in front of your niece or nephew” Sarah said “And you want me to believe that Derek never says stuff like that? I know my brother Sarah, you go home a bit and let me and Meg finish this” People started to dwell in around six and by seven the party was at full speed. The doorbell rang and Mark called out that he’d open it as he was closest to it. Outside stood a woman in her late 50’s “I’m looking for Ben Evans, this is his house isn’t it?” Mark nodded “Sure is, it’s his birthday today, let me see if I can find him, please come inside and wait here” he walked off to look for Ben who he found at the barbeque on the balcony “Hey Ben, there’s a lady at the door looking for you” “Who?” “I don’t know Ben, she just asked for you” “Ok then” Ben said and followed Mark but stopped in his steps. Mark noticed that he had stopped and looked at a shocked Ben “What’s wrong Ben?” “Find Derek and tell him to come to the kitchen”
___________________________________________________________________________
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 27
Chapter twenty seven
Meg was sitting in the middle of her bed hugging a pillow. Ben sat down facing her. He put a finger under the chin and lifted her head up. Meg’s tears hurt him to the bone.
“Meg, what’s wrong, is there something you’re not telling me?” Meg looked apologetically at him “Meg there isn’t anything in the world you can’t tell me about. I love you Meg, no matter what happened in your past” Ben took her hands “You and John…” Meg looked up again “There is a past between you both isn’t there?” “Meg please tell me”
Meg got off the bed and walked over to the window. She looked outside, it had started to snow a bit “I guess we’ll have to spend Valentine’s day here, the weather doesn’t look so good” she stated. Leaning against the window sill she looked over at Ben and took a deep breath. “You’re right” she started “John and I have a past” Ben made efforts to get up “No Ben, I can’t tell if you’re too close” “I’ve always thought it was Tim who hurt you so bad” Ben said “Oh Ben it was. John never hurt me. Not deliberately” Meg turned to look outside again. “You see…” she started over “Tim and I grew up together, he was always around since his parents worked here at the farm. We played all over, in the barn, in the orchard. The summer before we turned twelve we kissed for the first time” Meg looked over her shoulder at Ben “It was this sweet young teen’s romance at first and it just faded out, nothing to it” she shrugged her shoulders “I met John in high school, it was his senior year and I was over the moon that he saw me, little farm-girl Meg” she thought back to the meeting this afternoon, John still looked as good as then, but he wasn’t handsome as Ben. “This was true love” Meg went on “Or at least we thought so. John was the captain of the football team and I was a cheerleader” Ben looked at her offering his embrace but she shook her head “You know all those American traditions with homecoming, pledging true love forever and so on…” she took a breath “So, it was in the middle of summer. My parents were away for the evening and John came by” Meg held onto her shoulders “We watched a movie, or at least we started to. Both of us were more interested in kissing really” Meg walked over and sat down besides Ben “What I’m going to tell you you’ll only be the fourth person to know, it’s only been, me, mom and John so far, if John’s not told anyone that is” Ben put his arm around her shoulders “You know you can tell me, I’m not judging you and I’m not telling on you either” “That evening I just told about, well the kisses led further and we ended up in bed. It was the first time for us both” Meg’s eyes started to tear up again “After that we took every chance we could get and one time we were too eager and…” she didn’t want to put it in words. “Well first I didn’t know what to think but then I had an early miscarriage and I understood what could have been” Ben pulled her closer and kissed her tears “I’m so sorry Meg, I wish I could take your pain away” they both sat there holding onto each other “Was that why John never came back you think?” Meg shook her head “No, I think he saw me and Tim when he was here that autumn. I know he was hurting when he left, and seeing me with Tim…. I guess he thought I had forgotten and moved on” Ben took Meg into his arms and held her tight and she let the tears come again. “I’ve not thought about it for years, meeting John made it come up to the surface again” she said as she rested her head on Ben’s shoulder. “Will you be ok with him coming for dinner on Saturday?” Ben asked concerned and Meg looked up at him “Yes, will you… now that you know it all?” Ben kissed her softly “We all have pasts, and there’s nothing we can do about that is there?” Ben stretched out on the bed towards the night stand where he took out a box and handed it to Meg “I thought I’d end off today with this, but it somehow feels appropriate to give it to you now” Meg took the box and opened it. Inside was a simple gold chain necklace with an angel hanging from it” “Oh Ben, it’s absolutely beautiful” Ben took it out to put around Meg’s neck “It was one of the things I brought back from England” he smiled and kissed her neck “Happy Valentine’s Day” Meg turned around to face Ben “Oh Ben, I’ve ruined the evening haven’t I, by telling you about me and John” Ben held her in his arms “Well I had thought we’d spend the evening in some other way, but I’m glad you trust me enough to tell” Meg hugged him closer “I feel so safe in your arms Ben” they laid down on top of the bed just holding each other and that’s how they fell asleep very early on their first Valentine’s Day together.
The bingo night went on just as Meg had predicted, she and Ben was presented to the whole town and then everyone wanted to know about her life in California. As meg saw how Ben loved this small town attention she didn’t mind that much. At one time thought when Ben told his st0ry again he lent towards Meg and whispered “I guess I know what you mean now about everyone wanting to know everything” But in all it was a lovely evening. The next day Ben kepy busy in the kitchen almost all afternoon, he and Meg hadn’t talked anymore since the other evening and being alone in the kitchen gave Ben a lot of time to think. Ben knew that Meg she that she could talk to him whenever she felt “Dare I enter?” Joan asked as she passed Ben in the door “Of course, but stay out of your pots” he joked “Promise” she held her hands up as in surrender “it smells lovely though and I’m curious what’s in them” Ben smiled secretly “That’s for me to know and you to find out later” Ben had asked Meg to help him set the table and about half an hour before the guests were to arrive the doorbell rang. Ben knew Hank and Joan were in the stables “Meg, will you open the door” he called even though he knew he was closest to it “I can’t leave the pots” Meg went to open the door and Ben walked over to he could see her. Meg ‘flatten’ her clothes just as she was ready to great guests but to her surprise there was a delivery man “Meg Cummings?” he asked “Yes” “I’ve got a delivery for you, if you sign here I’ll go get it” Meg didn’t know what to think and then she saw what the man brought over, it was one of the biggest bouquets of white roses she’d ever seen “You certainly are a lucky lady” the man said “These don’t come cheap this time of year” Meg reached for her purse to tip the man, then she wished him a nice evening. “Ben Evans” she called and found Ben standing in the door. She sighed “You’re amazing” she put the vase down and went over to kiss him “No Meg” Ben said when they broke the kiss “You are, happy belated Valentine’s Day” he smiled and looked her deep in the eyes. “Wow, where did these come from?” they both turned to see Joan looking at the roses. Meg beamed at her mother “They’re mine, Ben ordered them and they just arrived” “They’re your favorite” Joan said and Meg nodded and picked the vase up, she carried it into the dining room and put them on a side-table.
The evening was filled with laughter over dinner and dessert. Around ten thirty the young ones; Ben and Meg, John and Amelia left for the Buckaroo. Amelia had told that her parents both were inspired by Amelia Earhart and of course her brothers; one older and one younger were named Orville and Wilbur after the Wright brothers. That had made an easy topic to talk about. Amelia was a girl from the next county so around two in the morning they dropped her off and went back to Ludlow. Amelia had promised to come to church with the following lunch at John and his parents place the next day.
___________________________________________________________________________
All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010-
Meg was sitting in the middle of her bed hugging a pillow. Ben sat down facing her. He put a finger under the chin and lifted her head up. Meg’s tears hurt him to the bone.
“Meg, what’s wrong, is there something you’re not telling me?” Meg looked apologetically at him “Meg there isn’t anything in the world you can’t tell me about. I love you Meg, no matter what happened in your past” Ben took her hands “You and John…” Meg looked up again “There is a past between you both isn’t there?” “Meg please tell me”
Meg got off the bed and walked over to the window. She looked outside, it had started to snow a bit “I guess we’ll have to spend Valentine’s day here, the weather doesn’t look so good” she stated. Leaning against the window sill she looked over at Ben and took a deep breath. “You’re right” she started “John and I have a past” Ben made efforts to get up “No Ben, I can’t tell if you’re too close” “I’ve always thought it was Tim who hurt you so bad” Ben said “Oh Ben it was. John never hurt me. Not deliberately” Meg turned to look outside again. “You see…” she started over “Tim and I grew up together, he was always around since his parents worked here at the farm. We played all over, in the barn, in the orchard. The summer before we turned twelve we kissed for the first time” Meg looked over her shoulder at Ben “It was this sweet young teen’s romance at first and it just faded out, nothing to it” she shrugged her shoulders “I met John in high school, it was his senior year and I was over the moon that he saw me, little farm-girl Meg” she thought back to the meeting this afternoon, John still looked as good as then, but he wasn’t handsome as Ben. “This was true love” Meg went on “Or at least we thought so. John was the captain of the football team and I was a cheerleader” Ben looked at her offering his embrace but she shook her head “You know all those American traditions with homecoming, pledging true love forever and so on…” she took a breath “So, it was in the middle of summer. My parents were away for the evening and John came by” Meg held onto her shoulders “We watched a movie, or at least we started to. Both of us were more interested in kissing really” Meg walked over and sat down besides Ben “What I’m going to tell you you’ll only be the fourth person to know, it’s only been, me, mom and John so far, if John’s not told anyone that is” Ben put his arm around her shoulders “You know you can tell me, I’m not judging you and I’m not telling on you either” “That evening I just told about, well the kisses led further and we ended up in bed. It was the first time for us both” Meg’s eyes started to tear up again “After that we took every chance we could get and one time we were too eager and…” she didn’t want to put it in words. “Well first I didn’t know what to think but then I had an early miscarriage and I understood what could have been” Ben pulled her closer and kissed her tears “I’m so sorry Meg, I wish I could take your pain away” they both sat there holding onto each other “Was that why John never came back you think?” Meg shook her head “No, I think he saw me and Tim when he was here that autumn. I know he was hurting when he left, and seeing me with Tim…. I guess he thought I had forgotten and moved on” Ben took Meg into his arms and held her tight and she let the tears come again. “I’ve not thought about it for years, meeting John made it come up to the surface again” she said as she rested her head on Ben’s shoulder. “Will you be ok with him coming for dinner on Saturday?” Ben asked concerned and Meg looked up at him “Yes, will you… now that you know it all?” Ben kissed her softly “We all have pasts, and there’s nothing we can do about that is there?” Ben stretched out on the bed towards the night stand where he took out a box and handed it to Meg “I thought I’d end off today with this, but it somehow feels appropriate to give it to you now” Meg took the box and opened it. Inside was a simple gold chain necklace with an angel hanging from it” “Oh Ben, it’s absolutely beautiful” Ben took it out to put around Meg’s neck “It was one of the things I brought back from England” he smiled and kissed her neck “Happy Valentine’s Day” Meg turned around to face Ben “Oh Ben, I’ve ruined the evening haven’t I, by telling you about me and John” Ben held her in his arms “Well I had thought we’d spend the evening in some other way, but I’m glad you trust me enough to tell” Meg hugged him closer “I feel so safe in your arms Ben” they laid down on top of the bed just holding each other and that’s how they fell asleep very early on their first Valentine’s Day together.
The bingo night went on just as Meg had predicted, she and Ben was presented to the whole town and then everyone wanted to know about her life in California. As meg saw how Ben loved this small town attention she didn’t mind that much. At one time thought when Ben told his st0ry again he lent towards Meg and whispered “I guess I know what you mean now about everyone wanting to know everything” But in all it was a lovely evening. The next day Ben kepy busy in the kitchen almost all afternoon, he and Meg hadn’t talked anymore since the other evening and being alone in the kitchen gave Ben a lot of time to think. Ben knew that Meg she that she could talk to him whenever she felt “Dare I enter?” Joan asked as she passed Ben in the door “Of course, but stay out of your pots” he joked “Promise” she held her hands up as in surrender “it smells lovely though and I’m curious what’s in them” Ben smiled secretly “That’s for me to know and you to find out later” Ben had asked Meg to help him set the table and about half an hour before the guests were to arrive the doorbell rang. Ben knew Hank and Joan were in the stables “Meg, will you open the door” he called even though he knew he was closest to it “I can’t leave the pots” Meg went to open the door and Ben walked over to he could see her. Meg ‘flatten’ her clothes just as she was ready to great guests but to her surprise there was a delivery man “Meg Cummings?” he asked “Yes” “I’ve got a delivery for you, if you sign here I’ll go get it” Meg didn’t know what to think and then she saw what the man brought over, it was one of the biggest bouquets of white roses she’d ever seen “You certainly are a lucky lady” the man said “These don’t come cheap this time of year” Meg reached for her purse to tip the man, then she wished him a nice evening. “Ben Evans” she called and found Ben standing in the door. She sighed “You’re amazing” she put the vase down and went over to kiss him “No Meg” Ben said when they broke the kiss “You are, happy belated Valentine’s Day” he smiled and looked her deep in the eyes. “Wow, where did these come from?” they both turned to see Joan looking at the roses. Meg beamed at her mother “They’re mine, Ben ordered them and they just arrived” “They’re your favorite” Joan said and Meg nodded and picked the vase up, she carried it into the dining room and put them on a side-table.
The evening was filled with laughter over dinner and dessert. Around ten thirty the young ones; Ben and Meg, John and Amelia left for the Buckaroo. Amelia had told that her parents both were inspired by Amelia Earhart and of course her brothers; one older and one younger were named Orville and Wilbur after the Wright brothers. That had made an easy topic to talk about. Amelia was a girl from the next county so around two in the morning they dropped her off and went back to Ludlow. Amelia had promised to come to church with the following lunch at John and his parents place the next day.
___________________________________________________________________________
All connections to Sunset Beach, any other soaps/series and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2010-
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