Monday, June 25, 2012

Started with a chat 19


~Chapter nineteen~

Even though Meg and Sarah helped out a lot in the kitchen preparing for the next day it was a pretty laid back day this Christmas Eve. Ben and Meg had already decided to go to the Buckaroo again in the evening and were trying to get Sarah and Jude to come along. “You should go out and enjoy yourself while you’re young” the girl’s grandma said. She had taken alike to both Ben and Jude at once and when Hank had told her and Joan about his meeting with Ben. “That young man will make a very good husband for Meg” she had said “I too was blinded by Tim, but knowing what we know now I’m very happy for Meg she didn’t go thru with that wedding” “You’re such a wise woman Sophie” Hank said to his mother-in-law and she laughed “I see something in Ben that I once saw in you Hank, a young man who knows what he wants”

After the dishes were done from their dinner Ben and Meg, Sarah and Jude went to the Buckaroo. It was pretty crowded for Christmas Eve, a lot of Meg’s old friends from school were there and she talked to as many as she could. Some of them wanted to know if she had seen Tim since she got back, a lot of them wanted to know about California. She felt like she was the only one ever been out of the state. “I just need to get to the bathroom” she told Ben when he asked her to dance “I’ll be here waiting” he said and sat down. Jake was playing this evening too and the crowd loved him. At the moment he had taken a break. Just as Meg walked out of the bathroom she met him “Hi, you’re playing great tonight too” she said with a smiled and Jake just grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the office. He didn’t say anything but pushed her against the door and kissed her, Meg put her hands against his chest to push him away but the kiss was familiar and she gave into it. With not too much resistance left Jake pulled away “I’m sorry Meg” he said breathless “I didn’t mean to do that” he turned around and pulled his hands thru his hair before he looked at Meg again “I know it doesn’t make it right, I just had to take the chance” Meg still stood with her back against the door “Jake…” She started but didn’t know how to go on, was she going to drag up the past. Jake stood closer now he rubbed her arms up and down “I know I’ve got no rights doing this, I know you’re with Ben and he seems to be a great guy, I just had to grab the chance” Meg moved away towards the desk in the room “Ben is the greatest” she said still with her back to him “I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone” she turned around “Jake, maybe I can say I regret not breaking up with Tim all those years ago, but both you and I know we’re totally different people today. I mean you’re the big country star” she smiled “There is someone special out there for you too” she filled in “Have you maybe already met her?” Meg teased when she saw something glints in his eyes. “Well… it’s early days yet” he admitted “But I’ve been seeing this girl that was in my latest video”. Meg walked over and gave him a hug “I hope it turns out well” she then left the office to go back to Ben.

There was still some life left in the fireplace when they got back to the house. Ben and Meg sat down on the floor with a cup of hot chocolate. Meg snuggled closer to Ben and just enjoyed the moment. The house was so quiet and everyone else had gone to bed, even Sarah and Jude had gone straight to their rooms. Meg moved so she sat in front of Ben, he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck “I love you Meg” he whispered and Meg took his hands and softly kissed them “I love you too Ben” she hadn’t told him about the run in with Jake, she felt that it wasn’t necessary. Ben looked into the fire for a while “It’s magic, don’t you think” he said more like a statement than a question and Meg turned her head “Everything I share with you is magic” she said and kissed him. Ben slipped down among the pillows they had put there to sit comfortable and pulled Meg with him, he knew it couldn’t lead to anything this night, but just being close and kissing was almost as good. He rolled her over so he was on top. As they broke the kiss Ben looked Meg deep in her eyes “Marry me Meg” he said and they both sat up. Meg was a bit in shock “I know this is a spur of the moment, I don’t even have the ring with me” Ben said “You have a ring?” Meg said astonished “Yes I’ve got it back in Sunset Beach, I didn’t plan on asking you just yet, but…” he took a deep breath “Meg, I love you with all of my heart and I want to share the rest of my life with you” Meg took his face in her hands “I love you too Ben, heart and soul and I too want to be with you for the rest of my life” she pulled him close for a kiss “I’d love to marry you” Ben kissed her again and sighed “It feels strange not to have the ring for you” Meg smiled “I don’t need a ring Ben, I’ve got you and that’s all that matters” “You’re one of a kind Meg Cummings” Ben kissed her again and then reluctantly pulled away “I guess we better get to bed now, I don’t know if I can keep away from you otherwise” he stood up and offered his hand to Meg to help her up. Hand in hand they walked up the stairs where they shared another kiss before they parted. Meg threw herself on the bed, she grinned from ear to ear, she was getting married to Ben, she felt like screaming it out to the world, but for now she’d keep it to herself. Ben undressed and slipped into bed, he was surprised with himself for being so impulsive and damned himself at the same time for not packing the ring, although he had thought he’d ask her at a romantic meal or a nice picnic when it was just the two of them, the only right of all that had been that it had actually been just the two of them.

The next morning Meg was woken up by someone knocking on the door, it was Ben with a fresh cup of coffee “Good morning my love” he smiled as Meg sat up in bed and got the cup handed to her “Good morning to you too and Merry Christmas” Ben bent forward to kiss her “Merry Christmas” Meg was the one that broke the silence “So, shall we tell everyone or shall we wait?” she put her head on the side as she looked at Ben who shrugged his shoulders “It’s all up to you, I mean I didn’t give you the ring…” he felt a little bad about that, but now he could at least have Meg try it and maybe get it readjusted if needed. “That’s that…” Meg said “But again I’d love to shout it from the rooftop” Ben laughed at her happiness “Then let’s tell them all tonight” Robert and Susan wasn’t coming until later on in the day as they were going to her parents for lunch. “But only if you’re really sure about it” Ben added. “I’d hate to wait until we’re back in Sunset Beach and then call home and tell them, so yes Ben, I’m sure about it. Besides grandma deserves to hear it from us both” she just loved her grandma.

When Ben and Meg told everyone about their news it was all happy faces. “But you have to wait with the wedding until after the twins are born” Susan said “I don’t want to look like this in your wedding pictures” and Meg smiled “Of course we will wait” she said and Ben took her hand “But not too long” he looked at her with a smile “No, but I don’t want to rush it either, I only plan on doing this once… I mean for doing it once for real” Joan had taken out an old photo album that she first showed to her mother “Do you remember this?” it was taken in the garden of Sophie’s house and it was Meg, Sarah, Robert, their cousins and a few other kids. The girls had managed to dress the guys up to play wedding “I do, what a job the girls did, picking flowers and getting the boys all dressed up” she said and pointed “Who’s that?” she asked about the guy standing next to Meg(who as the oldest girl was the bride) and it got Meg curious to look too “Yeah mom, who’s that, it’s not Tim for sure” and Joan looked a bit closer “I can’t say for sure” she carefully took the photo out of the corners and read on the back “Oh, it’s Jake. It was the first summer Owen’s were here, about 5 years before they moved here” She handed the photo to Hank to pass around and in a teasing mood he looked at Meg “This looks like another match made in heaven” although from the little he’d gotten to know Ben, there could be no one better for his little girl, Jake was touring with his music and he wanted a man that was close to home for Meg. When the photo reached Ben Meg tried to get it from him, she didn’t want him to see it, she had on a flowery summer dress and on special permission she had gotten to borrow her grandmother’s old veil for the photo and of course the veil was way too big and long for the young Meg “You look lovely” Ben said affectionately. Meg looked at her grandmother “Do you still have the veil?” she couldn’t for the life of her even think of why she had bought a new for her no-wedding to Tim “Yes I have” Sophie smiled at her “I even have the dress, but I think that’s very out of fashion” she looked over at Susan “Although the little tiara I gave to Susan for hers and Robert’s wedding” Meg smiled “Something old, something borrowed” she said quietly to herself.

The next morning was busy; of course Susan and Robert had come for breakfast, then after lunch Ben and Meg were leaving to get back to Sunset Beach in time for the boxing-day party. Sarah and Jude weren’t to come for another two days and Meg was happy about it, hopefully she’d get the house ready in time. Sarah was dropping them off at the airport as she had some friends to meet in town “Now, if you change your mind please text or call and let me know and I’ll come down and pick you up” Meg said as she hugged her sister tightly “You don’t have to worry Meg, we’ll take the shuffle, it’s all planned and paid for, besides I bet you’ll be busy with the house and work anyways” Meg rolled her eyes “That’s true, but you know me, I need an excuse to take a break or I’ll just go on” Sarah laughed “That’s true, you’re like one of those Duracell-bunnies, you just go on and on and on….” She said until Meg playfully hit her on the arm “I still love you though” Sarah said and hugged her sister again “I think we’d better go thru security now Meg” Ben said and Meg hugged her sister again “I’ll see you in two days then sis” she said as they parted “You try and stop me from sunny California, I’m just happy to get away from this snow” Sarah reassured.
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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 18


~Chapter eighteen~

Everyone cheered as Jake finished the song “Thank you all, so great to be back and see so many familiar faces. I hope you’ll have a nice evening and that you’ll get off your chairs and dance a little” he said and started the next song. As it was a slower song Meg reached for Ben’s hand “Come on, let’s dance” Meg snuggled close to Ben. “I feel so safe in your arms” she whispered. Ben kissed her on the top of her head “I love you Meg” When the new song changed tempo Ben and Meg went back to the others around the table. “Oh no” Sarah said suddenly and Meg who sat with her back towards the door turned around “Oh no” she agreed. Ben had also turned around “Who’s that?” he asked “That’s Tim, my cheating ex-fiancé” Meg said and turned back around. Tim slandered over to the bar, he had already had a beer or two at home “I don’t want any trouble from you Tim” Jarrod told him as he put the beer down in front of him. “What do you mean?” Tim asked “You know exactly what I mean Tim, the slightest hint of trouble and you’re out of here” Jarrod said again and went to serve someone in the other end of the bar. Tim sat down on a stool and looked over at the table where Meg and the others sat, this would be his and Meg’s first Christmas as married if she hadn’t run off, so what that he had had a little fun with Connie, there were no harm in that wasn’t it? He thought to himself. After explaining to Jude about Tim the mood went back to party around the table and as Jake took a pause he walked thru the bar, talking to people he knew before he ended up behind Meg. He put his hands on her shoulders and lent forward “Hi everyone” he said and looked around. As he didn’t know Ben or Jude he introduced himself to them, still with a hand on Meg’s shoulder. Ben felt a pang of jealousy thru his body, he had NEVER felt like this before and he didn’t like it. “How are you all?” Jake asked and pulled up a chair and sat down between Meg and her brother. Meg moved closer to Ben to make space which gave him an excuse to put his arm around her. “So Meg” Jake looked at her “Heard you moved out west, do you like it?” Meg smiled and leaned her head on Ben’s shoulder “I love it, it was like coming home when I came to Sunset Beach, you really should come out there” “I might do that” Jake said as Meg looked up at Ben “Maybe we should arrange for Jake to play at the Deep” “That’s a great idea” Ben reached for his wallet and handed Jake a business card “The club’s about the same size as this place” Ben said “I’ve actually been thinking of doing a small tour playing smaller places instead of big arenas” Jake said “I’ll give you a call” he got up “I think I’ll have to play some more, maybe I’ll see you all here again tomorrow” he still held eye contact with Meg. The first song was a slow one and Ben and Meg got up to dance again. Jake just played a few more songs and then people started to drop off and so did Meg and the others too. “I’ll fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow” Meg said in the car “It’s been a long day” “I know the feeling, I felt the same yesterday” Sarah added “Do you know when grandma is coming?” Meg asked “I think around noon tomorrow and she’s staying over” Sarah answered. Meg couldn’t wait for her grandmother to meet Ben, especially now when it had went so well with parents and she knew that her grandmother would love Ben. Suddenly Sarah hit the break hard “What’s up?” Meg said and looked up just in front of the car was Tim “Why did you stop?” Meg said tiredly and rolled down the window “Just go away Tim, I don’t want anything to do with you” Tim walked around the car and leant on the roof “But what if I want to talk to you then…” he said and Meg shook her head “I told you that we’re done with each other. I’ve moved on and I hope you will do the same” she took a deep breath “I know we probably will bump into each other when I’m here, but I’ll do my best to avoid you” she started to roll the window up and told Sarah to drive off.

Back at the farm Meg made them all some coffee, she wanted to be alone with Ben for a bit so she suggested they’d drink the coffee in her room. She sat down on her bed and offered the only chair to Ben. Ben tilted his head a bit and searched for Meg’s gaze “Anything wrong?” he asked softly. “Not really” she shook her head “I just thought that we’d talk about what happened tonight” “You mean Tim?” Ben said “I don’t think there’s anything to say” again she shook her head “Nope, not Tim… Jake” she had felt Ben’s look as Jake had put his hands on her shoulders “You know I truly love you and only you Ben. Jake’s just a very close friend…” she didn’t know how to explain it to him. Ben put his cup down and moved over to sit beside Meg. He held her close in his arms “I know what you mean. From what Sarah said before I’m considering myself a very lucky man that you were with Tim back then and that you’re a person that’s true to the one you love, even though Tim wasn’t in the end, otherwise I would never have had the privilege to get to know you” His kiss showed Meg all the love he had for her. As they broke the kiss “There will be a woman that will be just as lucky as I am one day when she finds Jake” Meg looked puzzled at him “That you two didn’t ‘get it on’ way back when” Ben smiled. With a smile Meg reached for Ben’s face and pulled him close for a kiss “I’m the lucky one” After finishing his coffee Ben left Meg’s room. He went into the room he shared with Jude, who already was asleep, and took his laptop with him downstairs to check his mails. He knew that Mark would have left a report for him by now. “Can’t you get to sleep either?” startled Ben looked up and saw Hank “Not really, but I had to check a few things. I hope you don’t mind Mr. Cummings” Ben said. Hank shook his head “Not at all Ben, you feel like home I hope” he said “And… I hope you will call me Hank” Ben laughed “I sure will Hank” he nodded towards the coffee machine “There’s some fresh coffee if you like” Ben said as he had made a fresh pot “Well I might as well” he said and sat down with a cup “So, what’s keeping you up?” Ben asked “I’ve got a horse that was a bit unsettled when I did the late feeding and I’ve got a hard time to relax when all’s not right” he explained “I think I know what you mean, some nights when there’s been a roar or beginning of a fight at the club I keep thinking that what if they come back and try to break in or something” Ben said. Hank laughed “Maybe our businesses aren’t so different after all” Hank said. Ben closed his laptop down “I guess not, worries are always the same whatever you do I think” he took a sip of the coffee. Hank finished his coffee and stood up “I think I shall go back outside and check, do you want to come along?” he asked Ben and since Ben still hadn’t seen the stables he joined them. They ended up staying with the sick horse all night since Hank knew that the veterinarian wouldn’t come at this time anyway “You learn by time when to call emergency calls, but I hate to leave Cassie like this” Hank had said “Cassie is actually Meg’s favorite so I’d hate to see anything happen to her” “I understand” Ben said. The men talked all night and got to know each other, it wasn’t until Joan came in the crack of dawn that Ben went back inside to get one or two hours of sleep.

Meg had a restless night, she missed Ben’s arms around her and then the dreams were so strange. She dreamt she was a fair maiden in the middle-ages and that the men dueled for her, first it had been Tim and another guy she didn’t know and Tim had won her, just to lose her to Jake who in his turn lost her to Ben. All of the time Meg had been sitting on her favorite horse in a lady saddle watching the duels. When she woke up she put her robe on and went to see if Ben was awake. She opened the door quietly and saw that Jude was already up but Ben was still fast asleep. It wasn’t like Ben to sleep after eight am. She tiptoed over and sat down on the bed. Slowly she pulled a strain of hair back from his face, she knew that Ben had been too busy to get to the hairdresser’s; usually he kept his hair neat and tidy. She bent forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, Ben stirred and slowly opened his eyes “Good morning beautiful” he said and stretched out “Good morning” Meg kissed him “You look tired” she said “Yeah, I’ve only slept like…” he reached for his watch “… two hours. Your father and I” “What did dad do now?” Meg asked and rolled her eyes “Nothing Meg, don’t worry. Let me finish though, we were in the stables all night with Cassie, she was feeling poorly. I think the vet’s been here by now” he said and sat up and pulled Meg into his arms as she looked worried “Shall we go down and see how she’s doing?” Meg nodded “Let me just get dressed, I’m ready in five minutes” she said and ran into her room where she threw on a pair of jeans and a blue plaid shirt. Ben had gotten up and put on his jeans and t-shirt and a sweater on top. When they came downstairs the rest were sitting at the table having breakfast “Good morning everyone” Ben said and locked eyes with Hank “How’s Cassie doing? I told Meg and we thought we’d pay her a visit” Hank nodded and swallowed his food “She’s much better, the vet left about an hour ago” he informed them “But I think some TLC from Meg won’t do her any harm” Hank smiled at his daughter “No carrots though, it was something with her stomach Steve said” “Ok daddy” she said and Ben and Meg dressed up in boots and jackets and headed towards the stable “I can’t believe you and dad spent all night out here, how did you get to know?” she asked and Ben told her how he had checked up on business things and Hank had wandered into the kitchen. “I’m happy you get along so well” Meg said. “I’m happy too, I have to admit I was more nervous about meeting your father than your mother” Ben said and took Meg’s hand as they walked the path to the stables.

As they returned inside it was still some time before Joan would return from picking her mother up so Meg said she had some last minute giftwrapping to do and went to her room. Ben had his own agenda and went to look for Hank, he found him in the little study her had behind the kitchen. He knocked on the door and looked inside “Hi Hank, I hope I don’t disturb you?” Ben asked “Not at all Ben” he said shaking his head “Maybe you could help me out with this computer thing, I’m no good at it, Maggie always did it for me before she moved to Sunset Beach” Hank said “I can try” Ben said and stood beside Hank when he told about his problem, it was an easy thing to fix, Ben showed how he should tackle the problem if it came back on “Or you’ll just call me… or Meg and we’ll be your support over the phone” Hank nodded as Ben sat down on the edge of a chair “That’s good to know” Hank said “So, what can I help you with” Ben who never was unsure of anything suddenly felt nervous, he looked up “Hank, sir…” he started and Hank looked at him, he had a hint of what would come and didn’t know how much he’d let Ben suffer. Ben cleared his throat “I would like to… I’d hope to get your blessing… in asking Meg to marry me” You could almost feel the tension in the room. Hank couldn’t hold back “I was wondering if this was what you wanted… and I actually wanted you to suffer waiting for my answer, but Ben, I’ve not know you very long and Meg has just known you a little longer, but from what I see in her face when she looks at you and the other way around and the way we got to know each other last night I’m more than happy to give you my blessing…” he paused shortly “I’m also very honored that you asked” Ben sighed of relief “Thank you sir, Hank” he shook his hand and rested back in the chair. Hank looked at Ben, just for a brief moment he saw something that he only could describe as vulnerable. Ben got up of the chair “If you’ll excuse me I’ll go make a phone call to see that all’s ok in Sunset Beach” Hank smiled “Not at all, you go ahead”
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All connections to Sunset Beach and real life characters are purely for your pleasure.
©tinadolphin@comhem.se 2012-