Started with a chat 17

~Chapter seventeen~

On the way back Meg and Sarah chatted of course, but they did their best to be tour-guides and involve the guys in the conversation. Ben and Jude had found mutual things to talk about among things it had come up that they both had been in a class in economics at the same time at college. It had been a big class so it wasn’t any surprise they hadn’t met really. When they arrived at the farm Meg rushed out of the car and straight to the porch where her mother was standing. The reunion was with tears, but the happy kind. When Ben came up she introduced him and Joan did hug him just like she had Jude the day before “Welcome to Ludlow, Kansas” she said “Thanks Mrs. Cummings” Ben said but not as reassuring as with Sarah, this was after all his future mother-in-law and that made him a bit nervous “You got a lovely place here” Ben said and looked around “Thank you, you have to come another time of the year when there’s no snow” Joan said and ushered all the young ones inside “I’ve got coffee and pie ready for you” she got them to sit down at the big kitchen table. “Do you want milk or sugar Ben?” she asked as she poured “No thanks, black is fine Mrs. Cummings” “Oh Ben, please call me Joan” she answered. “Is daddy in the barn?” Meg asked and Joan shook her head “No your silly father went into town, he tried to convince me that we needed more cat food but I know he’ll stop at Mrs. Carson’s for my Christmas gift” every Christmas since the one they had gotten engaged at she had gotten a new charm for her bracelet. It was filled with animals, fruits and other stuff. The three most precious to her was the one of a little boy and two girls that she had gotten at their children’s first Christmases. “What do you think he’ll buy this year?” Sarah asked curiously “It’s after all your 30th engagement Anniversary this year” “I have no clue what so ever, never had unless the years you both were born, but that was only because of that I got the little boy at Rob’s first Christmas” They had all finished their coffee “Now, don’t let me keep you” Joan said “You must want to unpack” she said and looked at Meg and Ben “I arranged Ron’s room for the guys, Jude’s already settled in” Meg had told Ben about the house rules. “That sounds great Joan” Ben said and since they guys had hit off so well there would be no problems sharing. “Before I forget” Joan started “Mrs. Owen called earlier, Jake will be home for Christmas and he’ll be playing at the Buckaroo tonight” both Sarah and Meg smiled.

When Ben and Meg had unpacked they all decided to get into town, there were always things happening on December 23rd. And of course Meg hoped that she’d meet Susan her best friend and sister-in-law. They had been texting each other and Susan had promised to try and drag Rob with her otherwise they’d all meet in the evening. “Somehow this reminds me of Sunset Beach” Ben said as they walked along the shops “But without the sun and sand?” Jude asked “Definitely” Ben agreed “This is nothing like Sunset Beach” Meg said “At least in Sunset Beach things happens, usually nothing happens in Ludlow” “I think you’re just ‘home blind’” Ben said to Meg and kissed her cheek that was red from the cold weather. Ben looked up and enjoyed the snow falling on his face, Meg snuggled closer to him “Come on, let’s go inside here and have a nice cup of hot cocoa” she said “Mrs. Owen has the best variety in town” Ben held his arm around Meg “The same Mrs. Own as your mother talked about?” Meg smiled “Yes the same” she looked thru the door and saw a free booth “Come on” she opened the door and stepped inside, the smell was mixed; damp clothes, new shopping bags and the smell of sweet cocoa. They sat down and looked in the menus “The Christmas special usually is a hit” Meg said “It’s a different mix every year” Ben looked up “I’m amazed, I’ve never seen a variety of hot cocoa like this” Meg smiled “Too bad it’s not really a business for it in Sunset Beach or you could have added it at the Java Web” “That was a great idea” Ben was a bit surprised with himself, he hadn’t thought about either the Java Web or the Deep since they arrived. He trusted Mark a lot to run both places. “May I take your order?” a lady in Joan’s age asked and Meg looked up “Hi Mrs. Owen” she stood up to greet the woman with a hug. Ben got a feeling that the Cummings’ and the Owen’s were close families “You look great Meg” she said “I heard you were coming home today” she glanced at Sarah “Did Joan tell you my Jake’s home too?” she said proudly “Yes she did and I’m looking forward to hear him tonight” Meg said and sat down. She looked at Ben “What do you say. Christmas special?” they were soon going back to the farm for dinner “Yes, it sounds great” Meg looked at her sister and Jude who both nodded “Christmas special all around and nothing else, mom’s soon cooking” she added. “Coming right up” Mrs. Owen left them alone. She had been taken aback by Meg’s young man’s accent. “So” Ben started “Who is this Jake guy? You seem pretty fond of him both of you” he looked across the table at Sarah and Meg “Jake’s one of the best country singers out there” Sarah said and looked at her sister “And I think if it wasn’t for Tim and then Jake’s breakthrough the story had been told in a different way” Meg looked at Ben “Jake’s a close friend that’s all” she had never pursued her crush on him, mostly because she had Tim “You will love him when you hear him sing” Meg said. Their cocoas arrived and when they had drunken them and paid up they went back out and into a few more shops before they headed back to the farm for dinner.

Ben’s first meeting with Meg’s father did go smoothly and just like his wife he welcomed Ben to their home. Dinner was a pleasant event and around eight pm the young ones as Joan kept calling them went to the Buckaroo “Now, I have to warn you” Meg said as they stood outside the building “This is nothing fancy at all, nothing like the Deep” she held her arm under Ben’s. “I’m not at least worried Meg” he smiled “And I bet this is just fine or they wouldn’t have so many guests here” Ben looked around the parking lot “That’s true” Meg said “There is only one more place and that’s more family like, this is where all the young come” “Shall you two discuss this anymore, or can we go inside?” Sarah asked as she was starting to freeze. She had dressed up in leggings and a fairly short skirt even though the snow was falling. “Sorry” Meg said and opened the door to the sound of a busy bar. She looked around, she knew for a fact now that Susan and Rob were here already. She stood on her toes to look over the crowd and as she did she saw someone wave at her and it was Susan. As Meg and the others made their way over Susan slowly got up of the chair, she couldn’t wait for the baby to be born “Wow Susan, you certainly have grown since I left” Meg hugged her best friend “And you’re tanned, do you spend all day at the beach?” Susan asked just like Sarah had “No, but it’s warm and sunny even in December” she explained as she hugged her brother and then she introduced Ben to them both. “What are we drinking, my treat” Meg said “Beer’s ok with me” Ben said and the others agreed “Water” Susan had that obvious look on her face “Hey, we’ll have beer and wine when you come visit me in Sunset Beach in the spring” Meg said to cheer her up and walked over to the bar. “Hi Jarrod” Meg smiled “Hi Meg, I heard you were coming back for the holidays. You look great” he said “Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself” she said “I’d like 5 beers; bottles and a glass of water for Susan” “Did you hear Jake’s here and playing tonight” Meg nodded as she took her money out “No Meg, these are on me” Jarrod said “Merry Christmas” Meg shook her head “I should go away more often” she laughed and took the tray with the beers and water over to the table where everyone were talking wildly “We’ve gotten Ben to talk about his club, it will be really great to come see it one day, or at least I hope we will be invited” her brother said “Of course, just let me know before you stand at the doorstep and you’re welcome anytime. But now I have to hear everything about you guys. How are you?” she looked at Susan “How’s the baby, you didn’t tell me much in your e-mail. Susan smiled at her “Well” she said and held on to her husband’s hand “We wanted to tell you all at the same time” Rob gently rubbed her cheek “We’re having twins” Susan said. Everyone got up to hug them and share the joy. “We did tell our parents the other day, but we wanted to tell you all at the same time” Susan was an only child so there was no more ‘close family’ that needed to know at this exact moment. As they sat down again they heard the music from the cd stop and everyone turned their attention to the stage “Buckaroo proudly present my twin Jake Owen” Jarrod introduced him and Jake started to play on of his hits.



Eight Second Ride lyrics
Songwriters: Durrance, Bruce Eric; Owen, Joshua Ryan
Come on
I said, "Hey girl, what's your name? Haven't I seen you before?
I recognize them dark green eyes When you walked through the door"

"Are you alone, or are you with someone?" She said, "As a matter of fact I'm not"
So I took her hand, that's when it all began And we headed towards the parking lot

And she said, "Hey boy, do you mind Taking me home tonight?
'Cause I ain't never seen a country boy With tires on his truck this high"
I said, "Climb on up, but honey watch the cup That I'm spitttin' my dip inside
And hold on tight 'cause it's gonna be wilder Than any eight second ride"

We went ridin' around rockin' to the sound Of "A Country Boy Can Survive"
And I knew then she was my kinda girl 'Cause she was singin' every single line

Then she slid on over put my hand on her shoulder And I asked her what she wanted to do
She said, "It really don't matter where we go Just as long as I'm ridin' with you"

She said, "Hey boy, do you mind Taking me home tonight?
'Cause I ain't never seen a country boy With tires on his truck this high"
I said, "Climb on up, but honey watch the cup That I'm spitttin' my dip inside
And hold on tight 'cause it's gonna be wilder Than any eight second ride"

So we headed out to Old Tobacco Road Put the tailgate down and we made love
She said "A true country boy is hard to find But I found one wilder then any eight second ride"

She said, "Hey boy, do you mind Taking me home tonight?
'Cause I ain't never seen a country boy With tires on his truck this high"
I said, "Climb on up, but honey watch the cup That I'm spitttin' my dip inside
And hold on tight 'cause it's gonna be wilder Than any eight second ride"

Yeah, hold on tight because it's gonna be wilder Than any eight second ride
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2012-

Started with a chat 16

~Chapter sixteen~

Ben woke up early the next morning, he had dreamt about his parents and usually he woke up restless, but for the first time he felt safe. He had Meg in his arms. Softly he stroked her hair and noticed something he hadn’t in all the time they knew each other; he hadn’t taken of his wedding ring. It had been such a natural part of him, but it wasn’t fair to Meg. Easy not to wake Meg up he moved her to the side and sat up, what he didn’t notice was that Meg woke up and saw the whole thing. Meg didn’t know if she was going to say anything or not as she really never had bothered about it. “Good morning” she said a bit lazy and Ben jumped. He turned around as he was sitting on the edge “Good morning, I hope it wasn’t me that woke you up” he lent over for a kiss, he still had the ring in his hand, he had planned to put it in the pocket of his jeans. “No you didn’t wake me” Meg rolled over and looked at the alarm clock “I think I better get up. I’m opening the Java Web today” she stretched and then sat up. Ben pulled her back down “Please Ben, I can’t be late” she struggled against his kisses “You can’t give me privileges” she said and got out of bed “However you can make me some coffee while I take a shower” Meg looked at Ben “Or we can shower together and I’ll help you open up and we can have breakfast there” he grinned “You’re incurable” Meg giggled.
The next few weeks went fast. If it wasn’t the Deep or the Java Web it was renovation work that took up most of Ben and Meg’s time. Meg was thankful for all the little shops in Sunset Beach it had made it possible to finish her Christmas shopping. The most perfect gift this year she had found at Sunset Sister and it was for Sarah. At the yard sale just outside town she had not only found the perfect desk for their home office but also some high stools with low back that would fit perfectly in the kitchen. It was now only a week before Christmas and Meg collapse on her bed next to Ben, it had been a busy day both at the Java Web and the Deep “Will tomorrow be the same?” she asked “I guess, it’s all the young ones coming home from college” Ben explained “I thought so since both Caitlin and Sean showed up tonight”. They laid quietly for a while “Have you fallen asleep?” Meg asked “Nope” said Ben “What are you thinking about?” she entwined her fingers with Bens like so many other evenings they’ve just laid like this, thinking about nothing, talking about anything… “Just how lucky I am to have you by my side” Ben said “And that I thought I’d paint that last room tomorrow, did we decide on the green or blue?” Ben asked but thought it didn’t matter, not that they had talked about it seriously but they both wanted children some day and then that room would probably be turned into a nursery. “Green I think” Meg answered but her own thoughts were the same as Ben’s “Do you think we’ll move in before we leave for Kansas?” Meg asked and Ben took a deep breath “I would hope so, especially if your sister is coming back with us and will stay over” Meg sat up in bed “I had forgotten about that” “Really?” Ben raised an eyebrow at her “Not that she’s coming silly, but that I’ve promised to put her up” “I can always move back to Surf Central” Ben suggested since he officially was living with Meg since Thanksgiving “I don’t think that will be necessary mister” Meg said and put a finger on his chest, she trailed it down his stomach and just before she reached the hem of his trousers Ben grabbed her hand “Don’t you start anything you’ll be too tired to follow thru with miss” he teased.

Sarah had become good friends with Jude Cavanaugh, he was working with economics in the same political group as she was. Well they were a bit more than good friends and since Jude didn’t have any family to speak of he was coming with her to Kansas to celebrate Christmas “Are you sure it’s ok with your parents?” he asked her for the millionth time “Yes it is” Sarah smiled at him. They had been on a couple of dates and the last time he had kissed her softly when he had dropped her off at the apartment she shared with a few other interns. She reached for his hand, she had hoped they had moved their relationship along, but well now it had to wait. It was soon time to land and the pilot had turned the fasten seatbelt sign on “I guess the next trip will be to California” Sarah said. She had packed all her things up in Washington the new job in California was to start just after New Year’s. “Did you say your sister too lived in California now?” “Yes, she moved there about two months ago. A little town called Sunset Beach, you could come back there with us for New Year’s” Sarah said shrugging her shoulders. “Are you sure?” he asked “For the usually so self-confident Jude I’ve gotten to know you’re really unsure of yourself” she said just as the plane landed.
It was December 22nd and the airport was filled with people coming and going. Sarah looked around for either her brother Ted and his wife Susan or her parents to come pick them up. Meg wasn’t coming until the next day. “Sarah” she turned around first one way then the other before she saw her sister-in-law. She ran over to hug her “Wow, it’s not long left now isn’t it?” Susan shook her head “About four weeks” she looked at Sarah “You look radiant, Washington must suit you” Sarah smiled “It does, and even better now when we’re all off to California” Susan laughed “It won’t know what hit them when both Cummings sister are in the same state” “You have to come out and see us after the baby’s born” the girls small talked some more “By the way, this is Jude Cavanaugh, a colleague from Washington” Sarah introduced him “Jude, this is Susan my sister-in-law and my sister’s best friend” Sarah looked around as they shook hands “Talking about him, where’s Ted?” Susan took out the keys from her purse “He’s back at the farm, it was something they just HAD to do today” she sighed and Sarah new exactly what she meant. “I guess you’ll meet them all at once then” she said to Jude and they made their way to the car. Susan had been lucky to get a spot close to the entrance.

Back in Sunset Beach Ben and Meg was busy decorating the house. They had gotten all the furniture in place in the upstairs rooms but the kitchen and big living room downstairs were still pretty much a mess “I hate to leave it like this, but we soon have to be at the Deep” Meg sighed and sat down on an armchair that was still covered in the protecting plastic. Ben looked at his watch “I guess we do” Not only had they been fixing in the house, they had been cleaning the room above the Waffle Shop too. Even though Meg had paid for the full month they wanted it cleaned and ready before they went to Kansas for Christmas. “Do you mind that we didn’t get a tree?” Ben asked and Meg shook her head “No, we’ve got that huge one at the Deep” she held out her hand for Ben to pull her off the chair, as he did he pulled her close and kissed her “I can’t believe how lucky I am” Ben whispered in her ear and swept her off her feet and started towards the stairs “What are you doing?” Meg giggled. Ben swirled around so Meg saw the big clock they had on the wall “I put that one ahead an hour so we’d have time to christening our new bed” he easily walked up the stairs with Meg in his arms. Meg had no persistence when it came to Ben. After making love they showered and dressed and went to the Deep. Ben had some paperwork that needed doing so he went straight to his office. Meg got busy waiting tables. Almost everyone she knew in town was there “Don’t you have any Christmas preparations to do?” she asked Gaby and Vanessa when she served them their drinks. “Mostly done” Gaby said “I’ll finish tomorrow” Vanessa filled in “Tonight we want to spend some time with you” Meg smiled “That’s so nice of you, although I believe we’ll be pretty busy here tonight” “So… is Ben really going back with you to meet your parents?” Vanessa was her curious self “Hey there, if you ask questions like that you’ll soon take over Bette’s column instead of the other work you do” Gaby said to her and turned to Meg “So is he?” Meg laughed “Yes he is coming with me and yes he will meet the family, we’re staying at the farm after all” she shook her head and walked back to the bar with the dirty dishes. A couple of hours later Meg went upstairs to the office. She knocked on the door and walked in “Are you still working with the papers?” she asked Ben and handed him a cup of coffee “Yes” he sighed “But Ben” Meg sat down in his lap and put her arms around his neck “I’ve told you I can do it” Ben kissed her softly “I know, but I don’t want you to work around the clock and with the Java Web and the Deep it will be just that” Meg smiled at him “What if I cut down on the hours there and helped you out with the papers instead? If you like, you can read my references” Ben rested his head on Meg’s shoulder “Maybe” he said “But then I think I need to hire a new waitress, at least for the Java Web” Meg kissed him on the cheek and stood up “Sounds like a great plan… now, will you come downstairs soon, I want to dance with you” she had her hand on the doorknob “Yes, I will be down in a short while” Ben smiled at her.

It was pretty late in the night when Ben and Meg came back to the house. Exhausted they went to bed. Meg had finished packing most of her things earlier as their flight was leaving around 10 am. Although that packing was done and Meg was dead tired she tossed and turned and had a hard time to sleep. She looked to her side and it didn’t seem like Ben had the same problems. This was their first night in the house; Meg gave up and went downstairs. She made some coffee and got working on straighten the kitchen up. Maybe she should let Sarah stay at the room above the Waffle Shop instead. The living room was far from finished; the protecting plastic was still on the furniture and not a picture or paintings were on the walls. The kitchen was too filled with boxes although Meg had taken care of a few of them. She sat down on one of the stools she had found at the yard sale. She had painted them black and was very satisfied with them. Exhausted she folded her arms and rested her head on them. It was like this Ben found her, he gently nudged her away “What are you doing down here?” he asked “I couldn’t sleep” she started “so I went down to unpack a bit” Ben looked around “You’ve managed quite a lot I see, but why don’t you come back up for a bit more sleep” Meg looked at the clock, it was four am and she knew her alarm was set for five thirty “Ok” she slipped down from the stool.

The airport in L.A was busy with holiday travelers that was coming and going. Although they had to wait in line the check-in and security check went smoothly, but there were not that much time to get to the gate that of course wasn’t the closest one. Up in the air Meg took Ben’s hand “I hope I haven’t lured you into coming with me against your will” she was a bit nervous about presenting Ben to her parents, but at the same time excited for them to meet the love of her life, her soul mate. Reassuringly Ben gave her a soft kiss “No, not at all, I’m looking forward to meeting your family”. The plane landed on time at one pm Kansas time. She knew by the text her sister had sent that it was she and her friend Jude that were coming to pick them up. Meg hadn’t seen her sister since she had left her at the airport that day in early October, they were used to being apart but it was always the same joy to meet. With the trolley full of bags Ben and Meg walked thru the doors to the waiting area and it didn’t take long before she heard her sister call “Meggie” and Ben looked at her “I thought you were called Meg for short” she smiled “I am, but dad and Sarah’s always said Meggie” she rushed over to hug her sister and left Ben to push the trolley. “You look absolutely stunning, and that tan… do you spend all day at the beach?” Sarah asked “You look great too little sister” they hugged again and Meg saw in the corner of her eyes that Ben had made it thru the crowd “Sarah, this is Ben Evans” Meg beamed with happiness. She and Sarah had always been close being born just 15 months apart. With her arm around Ben’s waist she introduced “Ben, this is my sister Sarah” Sarah being the more free spirit of the sisters ignored Ben’s extended hand and gave him a big hug “It’s so great to finally meet you Ben… not that Meg told me that much yet about your but enough” Ben flashed his usual smile he had when he was comfortable in a situation “It’s very nice to meet you too” then Sarah introduced Jude to them both and they all went out to the car.
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2012-