Only You Chapter 11

Ben is resting in his bed thinking about Meg. For the first time in a long while, things are starting to make sense again. He and Meg are finally finding their way back to one another. He knows that they still have some things to talk about, but he feels in his heart that everything is going to work out for them.

Maria (walking into the room and closing the door): No Ben, its Maria. Where is Meg? I thought she would be here with you.

Ben: I told her to go home with her folks. She didn’t want to leave, but the doctor said that she really needed her rest so I thought it would be best if she went home. What are you doing here?

Ben (bluntly): Maria, we don’t have a future. How many times are you going to force me to keep hurting you in this way? I love Meg, Maria. I am sorry, but I can’t deny it and I won’t change it.

Maria (turning her back to Ben to hide the tears that his words caused): I know that you love Meg, Ben. I just thought it was about time to bring some closure to our relationship. Maybe then, I will be able to move on. I remembered what happened in the five years that I was missing and I think we should talk about it.

Ben: Okay Maria, why don’t you start with how you survived the boating accident.

Maria (turning back to Ben): Well the last thing I remember is slipping away from you in the water. The next thing I knew, I was in a makeshift bed in a fishing trawler. The fisherman said that he pulled me out of the water and was taking me to a hospital in Seattle. I was shocked that I was so far away from Sunset Beach. I knew my name was Maria and that I was from Sunset Beach. Beyond that, I couldn’t remember anything else.

Ben: You didn’t remember that you were married and had family in Sunset Beach?

Maria: Like I said, I was a complete blank. The fisherman told the hospital that I was his sister and my name was Maria Rodriguez so they would treat me because I didn’t have any kind of identification. The hospital decided to keep me overnight, to check me out. They said I would be fine and released me the next day. They also told me I was pregnant. I was happy and scared all at the same time. Here I was, I didn’t know who I was and had no money to support myself. The fisherman was intrigued with me, I guess, so he decided to help me. He was able to get me fake ID’s under the name Rodriguez and helped me find a job and a place to live.

Ben: But Maria, you remembered that you were from Sunset Beach, why didn’t you come back. You had to know that someone there was worried about you.

Maria: I guess I was scared of what I would find when I got there. I could feel that something bad had happened there, and I just wasn’t ready to face it. I know now that it was wrong of me to stay away.

Ben: Maria we thought you had drowned. I combed every island in the area for months after you disappeared trying to find you.

Maria: I found out I could draw and was very artistic. After Benjy was born, I found a job at an art gallery. It wasn’t too long after that that I met Tess. She was a Godsend. Benjy really took to her and I thought we were friends until . . .

Maria’s eyes began to cloud up in memory of the second time her world was turned upside down.

Maria (continuing after regaining her composure): I began to have flashes of memory. I guess Benjy was about 2 or 3 years old. I began remembering you and my family. I remembered how much I loved you and I remembered everything that happened the night of the boating accident.

Maria (ignoring Ben’s question): I began to confide in Tess about you and the boating accident. Big mistake! I didn’t realize it until later, but Derek was paying Tess to keep tabs on me. When I began to remember, she told Derek everything. I guess they decided it was time to make their move. Very soon after that, Tess and Derek took Benjy from me.

Ben: If you remembered all of us why didn’t you call? If you didn’t want to talk to me, why didn’t you call Ricardo? You know he would have helped you.

Maria: That is because I never told her who I was. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even tell her anything. I hung up on her.

Maria: In December of 1997. After the phone call, I decided to find out what had been going on in Sunset Beach and did some research. I found all of the articles about my death, but I wasn’t interested in those. I wanted to find out who this person was answering your phone. I found out in Bette’s column. She wrote about your courtship and how you had proposed to Meg and how happy you finally were her after all the bad things that had happened. I just couldn’t go back to Sunset Beach. I don’t know why, I just couldn’t. You had moved on, and I was very hurt, but I had Benjy and at that time, that was enough. It was after that, that I began confiding in Tess.

Ben (a little agitated): How could you keep my child from me? You know I would never have turned my back on my child. Maria, I had a right to know.

Maria (quietly): I know Ben and I am sorry. I hope one day, you will be able to forgive me.

Ben: Maria, I need to know the rest of the story. We will deal with all of that later. Tell me, when did Derek and Tess take Benjy from you and why?

Maria: I had finally made the decision to come home and I told Tess that I was going to take Benjy and head back to Sunset Beach. That was close to the end of January of 98 I think. When I told Tess, she told Derek and later that day, he came and took my child away from me. I tried to fight them, but Tess drugged me with a mind-altering drug. She kept me prisoner in my own home. They told Benjy mommy was really sick and let me see him once a day. One day, I was able to shake off the effects of the drugs and came out and overheard Tess and Derek talking about their plan to destroy you and your new fiancée. I knew I had to warn you, and was able to escape. I didn’t want to leave Benjy, but I didn’t have much choice. I was able to get my car keys and drove as fast as I could to get here, but I had the accident at Dana Point. Actually, it wasn’t an accident, Derek ran me off the road. The next thing I knew, I was in Cedar Oaks with no memory of who I was.

Ben: Maria, I am sorry that you had to go through all of that. If you would have come back to find out who you were after the boating accident, none of this would have happened.

Maria: I know Ben, and I am sorry. (whispering) Ben had I come back, you would have never met Meg.

Ben: Neither one of us knows how our lives would have turned out had you come back after the accident.

Maria: I know and again, I am sorry. I can’t change it now. I just thought you needed to know what had happened. Well I better go. Ricardo is waiting for me. But before I go . . .

Maria rummages around in her pocketbook and comes across the email book and hands it to Ben.

Maria: Tess stole this and I thought you might want it back. (Feeling the tears welling up in her eyes) Well I better go. Good-bye Ben.

Maria turns and rushes out the door, closing it behind her. While she was talking to Ben, it was almost as if she was talking about something that had happened to another person, not herself. She was very unemotional, although she felt herself dying inside. She broke down and cried standing outside his closed door, never noticing the eyes that were watching every move she made. Finally gaining her composure, she walked toward the elevators.

Sara had been standing outside Ben’s door. She had overheard most of Maria’s conversation. She had been so into what she was hearing, that she barely managed to hide when Maria walked out the door. She knew she shouldn’t have eavesdropped on Ben and Maria’s conversation, but when she saw Ricardo still waiting in the waiting room, she realized that Maria must have went back to see Ben. She had manufactured an excuse to come back up to Ben’s room too see. Now she was glad that she did. Maria had told Ben about her five-year absence, but she left out one very important detail, that Benjy wasn’t his son.

Ben was looking at the email book that Maria laid on the bed beside him. He opened it and began reading some of the emails between him and Meg. They brought tears to his eyes as he remembered when he first fell in love with Meg. Then he remembered Maria’s words "Ben had I come back, you would have never met Meg." He realized that Maria had a point, but now, he just couldn’t imagine his life without Meg. He had loved Maria, but it just doesn’t compare to what he feels for Meg. He knows in his heart that no matter what had happened, he would have met Meg. He didn’t know how or where, but he knew that he would have. He and Meg were meant to be together and that was all there was too it.

Tim only had a mild concussion and was released the morning after his accident. He had waited on pins and needles all that day to find out what happened with Derek. Finally, he had run into Spence who filled him in on all the details and knew that Meg had come home last night and was staying with her parents.

Tim is standing outside of the Cummings house. Every time he gets to the door, he changes his mind and starts to leave only to turn around again. He can’t bring himself to knock, but he can’t bring himself to leave either. He knows that he is probably the last person they want to see, but he has to apologize to them. They are the only real family he has ever had and he wants to make amends. He had finally realized that Meg would never love him, but instead of really letting go, he let Tess use him and helped her to break up Meg and Ben. Not only that, he hurt Sara too. He really felt bad about all the things he had done to Sara and Meg.

Hank (shouting): Joannie, honey, I will meet you at the restaurant, I have something I want to do before I go in today.

Hank (angrily): Well what do we have here? Tim what rock did you crawl out from under this morning?

Tim: Mr. Cummings, I know you don’t want to see me or talk to me, but please will you just hear me out?

Sara and Meg walk into the living room and find Joan listening to Hank and Tim’s conversation. Tim spots them over Hank’s shoulder.

Tim: I would like to talk to all of you if I may. Please just let me have my say and I will leave.

Meg: I don’t know what you expect from us, Tim. You have hurt this family for the last time. There isn’t any forgiveness left in us. There is absolutely nothing you can do or say to change that.

Tim (desperately): I know and you will never know how sorry I am. Please just hear me out. I know I don’t deserve it, but please . . .

Tim: I know I have hurt you all very much and I am truly very sorry. Meg, Sara what I did to the two of you is inexcusable. I just don’t know where I went so wrong that I would hurt the people that I love the most in the world. The family that has always taken care of me and helped me when I needed it. You all were my family, and I completely trashed it. I hope that one day, you will be able to forgive me. Hopefully, I am taking a step in the right direction to re-earn your respect if nothing else. I talked to my dad last night and he has been in rehab and has quit drinking, so I’ve decided to return to Kansas. I am hoping that we can finally become a real family. (Hesitates) Well I guess this is good bye. I am leaving tonight and driving home.

Meg (with a look of compassion in her eyes): Tim, I hope that all goes well with your family. I think you are definitely taking a step in the right direction. Take care of yourself okay.

Tess is sitting cross-legged on the tiny cot in her cell contemplating what she is going to do. She had honestly thought Derek was dead. Now he really is dead and she is in jail. She has been given a public defender, but he couldn’t get her out of jail. Her bail was set too high and she couldn’t come up with the cash.

Her plan had been so perfect. She was going to pay back Meg and Ben for killing Derek, plus get a million dollars in the process. Why had Derek not contact her to let her know he was alive? He had to know she was in love with him. She feared him as well especially when he was angry, but that was a part of her attraction to him.

She had waited about eight months to hear from him, before she decided to take matters into her own hands. She had went through hell during that time and when he didn’t contact her, she began formulating what she thought was a foolproof plan. She had perfected copying Maria’s handwriting while they were living together in Seattle. One of the many talents that Derek loved about her was her ability to forge just about anything. She had signed Maria’s name so many times for Derek. She thought the promissory note was a stroke of genius. She could tell that Ben wanted to be with Meg, but Maria still wanted Ben and she was going to use that to her advantage. The combination of the car accident and the mind-altering drugs had erased Maria’s memories of their time in Seattle, so she forged the promissory note stating that Maria would give her a million dollars if she broke up Ben and Meg and got her back with Ben. She intended to blackmail Maria once she got them back together for the money. Best of all, though, was the fact that Ben and Meg would be miserable. She wanted Meg to pay most of all because she was jealous of the fact that Derek fell in love with her and then, she betrayed him. Her plan was so perfect, how could it have gone so wrong.

Derek, that is where it all went wrong, he was alive and she ran from him. Whatever else he was, she knew that he truly loved that boy and would do anything for him. She should’ve known better than to try to use him in that way. She knew he would be angry with her for using Benjy, so she ran. (Sheila, this soft side to Derek was just for you!!!)

Tess (to Derek): Derek I am so sorry. Wherever you are, I hope you know that I never would have hurt Benjy. I love him too. He was the only part of you that I had left.

Tess puts her head in her hands and starts to cry. She knows her life is over. All she can hope for now is a minimum-security prison.

Maria hears the doorbell and rushes to answer it. She opens the door and finds Antonio, Ricardo and her mother on the other side.

Maria: Benjy is finally asleep. He wants to go see Ben in the hospital, but they don’t have him settled in yet. I called a little while ago and he had just arrived. Benjy made such a fuss about going to see him, but I finally got him to lie down.

Maria: I’m fine. I had a long talk with Ben yesterday, and I think that I will finally be able to move on. I loved him, but I know his heart is with Meg and I am slowly beginning to accept it. I called you all over here today because I remembered my five missing years and I need to tell you about them. Please listen with an open heart and try to understand and forgive me.

Antonio: Why would we have to forgive you Maria? We know you wouldn’t intentionally hurt us.

Despite Antonio’s words, Maria was very afraid of her family’s reaction, especially when they find out that she stayed away after remembering who she was, but she knows that she has to tell them. She cannot lie to her family even though she knows it will hurt them.

Maria tells her family the same story she told Ben the day before, leaving nothing out. When they want to interrupt, she stalls asking them to just let her finish. She is on the verge of tears and wants to get it all out before she breaks down. She finally manages to tell them everything without leaving anything out, including the fact that Ben is not Benjy’s father and that she hasn’t told him yet.

Ricardo (angry and hurt): You mean you knew we thought you were dead and you just let us go on believing it? And you would have continued letting us believe that? How could you do that to your family?

Maria (crying): Ricardo, I know that I was wrong. I just wanted to find out what was going on before I came back. That was all. I needed to find out who this woman was that was answering Ben’s phone. I had every intention of coming back, but then Tess and Derek began drugging me.

Antonio (very hurt): Why didn’t you call us after you called Ben? We could have helped you, Maria. We were always so close. I just can’t believe that you didn’t call us.

Carmen stands up and walks to her daughter and hugs her. She is the understanding one of the trio. As far as she is concerned, her daughter is here with them now and that is all that matters.

Carmen: I am so sorry, míja, that you had to go through all of that alone. I know you did it because you love Ben and were hurt that he had moved on.

Ricardo is the angry one in the group; but then again, he was always the hot head. Maria observes him through her misty eyes over her mother’s shoulder. If he can let this go then she knows that they will be all right. She releases her mother and goes to where Ricardo is standing, who is looking out the back door toward the ocean.

Maria tries to appeal to Ricardo’s weakness. He never could stay mad at Maria even when they were kids. She speaks to him in the voice that always brought him around in the past.

Maria: Ricardo, please, try and understand, but if you can’t understand, then try to forgive me. I know I have hurt you all, but I love you and we have lost so much time because of the boating accident and Tess and Derek’s schemes. Let’s not waste any more. We are a family and now we are all back together. Let’s celebrate that fact and leave the unhappiness in the past.

Ricardo turns to his sister. He takes her in his arms and holds her close to him.

Ricardo: I thank the Lord everyday that you are alive and back with us where you belong. I am sorry for what you went through at the hands of Derek and Tess. If I had known, maybe I could have done something to help you. I know you need understanding now and I am trying, but it really hurts that you didn’t call us.

Maria breaks down again and cries in her brother’s arms. He sees the heartache that he is causing by not letting this go. He loves his sister and makes the only decision that he could have made and forgives her. She is right; they have let too much stuff come between them already. He pulls away from her and holds her at arm’s length.

Ricardo (with mock severity): Just don’t ever do anything like that again okay.

Maria (realizing that Ricardo has forgiven her, she offers a tentative smile): Okay. I love you brother. (Turning to Antonio and Carmen) I love all of you.

Maria holds out her hand to her mother and Antonio and they all gather each other in their arms amid laughter and tears. Each thankful that they have each other and are a family once again.

[Ben’s hospital room at South Bay General]

Ben has been transferred to South Bay General Hospital. He had arrived earlier this morning and was just getting settled in when his lawyer arrives.

Ben (Smiling): Charles thanks for coming on such short notice.

Charles: No problem. You are looking well considering. How are you feeling?

Ben: I’m doing quite well. In fact, the doctor’s say that I’m doing better than they even expected. Tyus was surprised when he checked me out this morning. (Chuckling) I told him that nothing is going to keep me away from Meg, not even a gunshot wound!

Charles: Glad to hear it Ben. Now what can I do for you?

Ben: I want to talk to you about the divorce. The papers were served over two weeks ago, and I was wondering how it’s going.

Charles: Sorry Ben, we are at a stand still, Maria hasn’t signed them yet.

Ben (angrily): What? Maria hasn’t signed the papers? Why didn’t you tell me?

Charles: I’m sorry Ben. I did call you, but I had to leave a message with your secretary. You have been a hard man to get a hold of these past few weeks.

Ben (somewhat calmer): I’m sorry Charles, I didn’t mean to snap. I just want to marry Meg as soon as possible. Call Maria and find out what the hold up is and then check into how long it will take to get a divorce without her consent if she is unwilling to sign. I want this divorce to be over as soon as possible.

Charles: Okay Ben. I will find out what I can and give you a call later. Now you take it easy and leave everything to me.

Charles leaves and Ben picks up the phone and dials the number to his house. Before the first ring, he decides to hang up. The last thing he needs to do is make Maria mad when he needs her cooperation for the divorce to be over sooner rather than later.

[Outside South Bay General]

Sara drove Meg to the hospital and is pulling into the visitor’s parking lot.

Meg: I can’t wait to see Ben. Last night was the hardest night of my life being away from him while he was in the hospital. I was so worried about him

Sara: Meg, calm down. You need to worry about yourself too. That concussion of yours was pretty severe. The doctor said you needed to take it easy for a few days and getting worked up is not helping any.

Meg: After I see Ben, then I will calm down. Have you talked to Casey?

Sara: We talked for a few minutes last night, but I don’t know if it will go anywhere. I will keep you posted though.

Sara parks the car and the two ladies walk into the hospital and obtain visitors passes from the front desk. The clerk tells them that Ben is in room 417 and they head to the elevators. They arrive on the 4^th floor and leave the elevators heading toward Ben’s room. Tyus Robinson is standing at the nurse’s station and they stop to talk to him.

Meg: Tyus, how’s Ben?

Tyus: He’s doing fine Meg. He is doing much better than I expected. He is a tough one. I think he will be out of here before you know it.

Meg: Thanks Tyus. I am going to see him now. (Smiling) I will make sure he makes a full recovery.

Meg turns to walk away and with the sudden movement, she gets very dizzy and almost faints. Fortunately, Tyus is right there and catches her.

Tyus: Meg are you all right?

Meg: I’m fine, I guess I am still feeling the effects of the concussion. I got a little dizzy a few times yesterday too.

Sara (concerned): Meg you never said anything about getting dizzy. You should have told us.

Meg: It’s nothing, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I just moved a little fast is all.

Tyus: Sorry Meg, you are not getting away that easily. I know the doctor said that you could go home, but I am going to examine you and make sure for myself that you are okay.

Meg: That’s not necessary Tyus. I’m fine, really or I will be once I see Ben.

Tyus: No Meg, you are coming with me and I will not take no for an answer.

Tyus takes Meg to an examining room and checks her over. He does not find anything wrong with her, but decides to do a CAT scan just in case. The CAT scan results show there isn’t anything from the concussion that would make her dizzy and almost faint.

Meg: Well Tyus, do I get a clean bill of health?

Tyus: Everything looks good, but I want to draw some blood just in case.

Meg: Tyus, is that really necessary? I told you I feel fine. I just turned a little too quickly. That’s all.

Tyus: Humor me.

Tyus calls for a nurse to draw the blood out of Meg’s arms. After she finishes, Tyus tells the nurse that he wants the results ASAP!

Tyus (to Meg): You can go visit Ben now, but don’t leave the hospital until I get the results of this blood test.

Meg: Okay, Tyus. You know where to find me.

Meg leaves the examining room and finds Sara waiting for her at the 4^th floor nurse’s station.

Sara (concerned): Meg, are you all right?

Meg: I will be once I see Ben. Let’s go.

[Ben’s room]

Where is Meg, Ben thinks to himself for the hundredth time in the last 30 minutes. She should have been here by now. He picks up the phone to call her, but she walks in the door before he dials the number.

Ben: Meg, Thank God! I was getting worried about you. (He reaches out and pulls her to him, in a tight hug) I was scared something happened to you, especially after your dizzy spell last night.

Sara and Meg both speak at the same time. Meg trying to say that she was fine, and Sara trying to tell Ben about Meg’s dizzy spell.

Ben only hears part of what Sara says, but knowing that Meg is probably trying to keep him from worrying hushes Meg up and asks Sara to repeat what she said. Sara tells Ben about Meg’s dizzy spell. Before she is able to finish the rest, Ben interrupts her.

Ben: Meg, I am going to call Tyus right now and ask him to have a look at you.

Meg: Tyus has already checked me out. That is why I was so late. I told you I am fine. Don’t worry about me, you just get well. (Smiling sweetly at him) Am I forgiven?

Meg leans over the side of the bed and gives Ben a long and passionate kiss. Sara quietly slips out of the room to give the lovebirds some privacy.

Meg (breathless after the kiss): Now, Mr. Evans, does that feel like there is anything wrong with me?

Ben: When you put it that way, no.

Ben pulls Meg in for another passionate kiss.

Chapter 14

[Ben’s hospital room]

Tyus pokes his head in the door and sees Ben and Meg kissing. He clears his throat to gain their attention, but they do not seem to hear him. He does it again, a little louder this time, but there is still no response. The next time he coughs really loud and Ben and Meg turn embarrassed faces toward the noise.

Tyus (a little embarrassed himself): Uh, sorry to interrupt guys, but Meg I need to see you for a few minutes. Ben you don’t mind if I borrow Meg, do you?

Ben (worried): What is it Tyus? Meg is okay isn’t she?

Tyus: There was a little mix up in the lab. I’m sorry Meg, but I need to rerun that blood test.

Meg: Tyus do we have to do it now? I told you I was fine.

Ben: Meg, go ahead, I’ll be fine.

About that time, Sara sees Tyus in the doorway and decides to see what is going on.

Ben: Meg, I want you to make sure that you are okay. Please go ahead with Tyus and Sara will stay with me while you are gone.

Meg (hesitantly): Well if you are sure. I’ll be right back.

Meg kisses Ben and follows Tyus out of the room.

Sara looks on as Tyus and Meg walk down the hall. When they disappear from sight, she walks into Ben’s room and sits down in the chair beside the bed.

Ben: Sara, have you checked in at the Deep or Java Web today?

Sara: I was going to ask you about that. What do you need me to do while you are in the hospital? I was planning to go there after I dropped Meg off here, but then she almost fainted, and I stayed to make sure she was all right.

Ben: Just check the books and make sure that everything is running smoothly. Do you still have the key to my office?

Sara: Yes, it is on my key ring. Okay, I will go on over there. Tell Meg to call me when she is ready to leave. I’ll give you a call and let you know how everything is going.

Ben (reaching for her arm as she stood up to leave): Don’t leave just yet. I need to thank you for helping me get Meg back. I love your sister more than my own life and I was so lost without her. You helped me get through that. You have been a true friend.

Sara (sitting back down): I don’t know what to say Ben. You have been a great friend too. A better friend then I deserved, after everything I did that hurt you and Meg.

Ben: I know you meant well, I even understand a lot of it now. Well that is in the past. Besides, if you hadn’t found out what Tim and Tess were up too, who knows what would have happened.

Meg opens the door and overhears Ben’s last comment. Instead of making her presence known, she continues to stand at the door, listening to their conversation.

Sara: I was just in the right place at the right time. It was your plan that helped you get Meg back.

Meg continues to stand at the door. What plan, she asks herself? Then she is let in on the secret as Ben and Sara reminisce over their exploits of the past few weeks. They discuss their plan to make Meg and Casey jealous and how funny it was too see Tim and Tess get agitated because their plan was backfiring.

Sara: Well it certainly didn’t turn out how we planned. You could’ve been killed.

Ben: I’m fine now.

Sara (concern in her voice): Are you sure you’re fine Ben? You had us all really worried.

Ben: I am definitely fine. Sara thanks again for all of your help and support.

Sara (standing up and hugging Ben): Your welcome, but I should be the one thanking you.

Meg continues to stand behind the door listening to their conversation. She knows she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help herself. The more she hears the angrier she gets. She didn’t know if it was jealousy of her sister that really upset her or the fact that they were both holding out on her. She finally slams open door and walks in. Sara pulls away from Ben in surprise.

Ben and Sara (in unison): Meg

Meg (very upset): You two got pretty close in the past few weeks didn’t you? Just how close did the two of you get?

Ben (confused): Meg, what are you talking about?

Meg (furious): No Ben, I think the question should be how could you set Casey and me up like that? How could you not tell me what was up with Tim and Tess? I can’t believe you two. I trusted you I thought you trusted me.

Meg was so lost in her feeling of betrayal that she literally shut down. She wasn’t hearing a word Ben and Sara said. The hug had really sent her over the edge too. She had mentioned to Casey that maybe Ben and Sara were trying to tell them something, but she never in her wildest dreams believed that they had consciously conspired to do it. And then they also left her in the dark about what they knew about Tim and Tess.

Meg (more hurt now than angry): I have to get out of here. I don’t want to even look at you.

Ben: Meg, listen to me. I love you. Stay here and let’s talk this out. Please Meg, Please, don’t go.

Meg is walking toward the door while Ben is talking. She pauses briefly at his pleas to stay, but the anger at what she heard boils up in her again and she just walks out the door leaving a stunned Sara and Ben looking on.

Sara (seeing the look of shock and pain on Ben’s face): Ben, don’t worry, she will come around. She loves you very much.

Ben (ignoring Sara’s words of comfort): Sara, why don’t you just go on to the Deep and check everything out for me, okay? Let me know what’s going on. I’ll be fine.

Meg is racing down the hallway. The tears are streaming down her face and she can barely see. All of a sudden she runs head on into the chest of one Dr. Tyus Robinson.

Tyus: Meg, I was just coming to look for you.

Meg (crying): Not now Tyus. I have to get out of here.

Tyus (concern in his voice): Oh no you don’t Meg. You are coming with me.

Tyus takes Meg by the elbow and pulls her toward an empty exam room.

Tyus: What’s wrong Meg?

Meg (trying hard to fight her tears): It’s nothing Tyus. Did you have something that you wanted to speak to me about?

Tyus: Yes, but it appears that now is not a good time to tell you.

Meg: You might as well tell me Tyus, my day can’t get much worse than it already is.

Tyus: Meg this isn’t bad news. Well then again, it depends on how you look at it.

Meg (bluntly): Just tell me okay. Spit it out Tyus.

Tyus is taken aback by Meg’s attitude, but realizes that she is upset about something and lets it go.

Tyus (trying to smile): Meg you are pregnant.

This time Meg really does faint. Fortunately, Tyus is there to catch her again.

Chapter 15

[1 week later – Ben’s hospital room]

Ben: Damn!

Ben slams down the phone. How stubborn can one woman be he asks himself for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Sara walks in to Ben’s room and sees him pacing back and forth.

Sara: Meg still won’t talk to you huh?

Ben (startled): Sara, I didn’t hear you come in.

Sara: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to see how you were doing.

Ben: Physically, I am fine. I may get to go home tomorrow.

Sara: That’s great Ben.

Ben: It would be better if Meg were speaking to me.

Sara: Don’t worry Ben, she’ll come around. She loves you. Hey, guess what? Casey and I are back together.

Ben (smiling sadly): Sara that’s wonderful news. I’m happy for you two.

Sara: Yes we had a long talk last night. Meg told him about the conversation she overheard last week, but we talked it all out and I think things are going to work out.

Ben: Is Meg speaking to you again?

Sara: Meg and I had a long talk. I think we are okay. Don’t worry, you and Meg will be too! She loves you Ben. (Changing the subject) Here are the papers from the Deep you wanted me to bring by. I will leave them here for you to look over. I have to get back to work. (Jokingly) I wouldn’t want to get my new boss mad at me now would I?

Ben (chuckling): No we can’t have that. Thanks for coming by Sara. Bye.

Sara: Bye.

[Shockwave]

Joan hangs up the phone after lying to Ben about Meg’s whereabouts. She looks at her daughter and wonders if she did the right thing. Ben sounded so upset on the phone and Meg is a complete mess. This past week, Meg has refused to answer any of Ben’s calls and she would just break down and cry for seemingly no reason at all. Something was up with Meg, but she couldn’t figure out what.

Joan: Meg, how long are you going to stay mad at Ben? You’ve made peace with Sara, your father and me. Ben loves you, and he is miserable without you and you are miserable without him.

Meg: Mom, I know. I just don’t know what to do.

Joan: What do you mean you don’t know what to do? Meg you just go to the hospital and tell the man that you love him and that is that!

Meg: There is something that you don’t know, but I have to tell someone. I can’t keep this a secret any longer.

Joan (concerned): What is it honey?

Meg (with tears in her eyes): I don’t really know how to say it. I know how old fashioned you and dad are. I guess I should just come right out with it. Mom, I’m pregnant.

Joan is stunned and stares at her daughter.

Meg: Mom, don’t look at me like that. I was shocked when Tyus told me last week too.

Joan (shocked): Last week! You found out last week and are just now telling me?

Meg: I’m sorry Mom. I was afraid of how you would react. I mean Ben and I aren’t married. I am so afraid of how Ben is going to react too. We both want kids, but everything is so up in the air. I want to be married to Ben when we have our first child. I just don’t know how to handle this. Ben doesn’t need anymore stress with everything that’s happened in the past couple weeks. First with Benjy being kidnapped, dealing with Derek again, and then getting shot, he has had enough to deal with.

Joan: You are underestimating, Ben, sweetie. You two will work this out together. Meg you need to talk to him. Go see him. Go to the hospital right now.

Meg: I will talk to him, Mom. Right now I need to think. I am going for a walk.

Maria was standing outside the Shockwave and heard every word that Meg and her mother had said. Her anger at hearing that Meg was pregnant began boiling over in her. How can Meg be pregnant with Ben’s baby, she asks herself. This isn’t what she wants to hear. As a matter of fact, she never wants to give Ben up. She thought she could, but when Charles called to ask about the divorce papers he had sent to her over 3 weeks ago, she played dumb and has successfully managed to avoid him since. Now there is this new obstacle. Meg is pregnant. She won’t be able to compete with that. I guess I will have to come up with some way to deal with this, she thinks to herself. A plan begins to unfold in her mind.

Maria (smiling): Perfect.

Maria walks to Ben’s beach house and sees Sara waiting on the deck for her.

Maria (with hostility in her voice): Sara what do you want?

Sara: Ben asked me to drop off these papers too you.

Maria (taking the papers): What is it?

Sara: It is the deed to this house. He told me to tell you that it is yours if you want it. If you don’t want it, he said to sell it.

Maria: Why couldn’t Ben tell me this himself? I mean Benjy and I have been to see him a few times this week. Why did he send you?

Sara: He asked me to get the deed changed and bring it to you, that’s all I know. Anything else, you will have to ask him.

Sara turns to walk away, but then remembers something and turns back to Maria.

Sara: Oh I almost forgot. Ben will be having some movers come to get his personal belongings out of the house later today. They’re friends of his and he gave them a key, so you don’t have to worry about being home.

Maria: Okay, thanks Sara. Bye.

Sara: Bye.

Maria goes into the house. She is so upset that she crumbles the deed in her hands. How can he do this to me, she asks herself. This was their house. They were supposed to grow old together in it. Maria picks up a vase that Ben had given her as a present and throws it at the fireplace. It shatters all over the place.

Maria: I won’t lose you Ben Evans. You are mine!