Shattered Trust, Stolen Hearts

by Martine

Chapter 31

I awake to find that Ben is watching over me.  “Hello gorgeous. Did you sleep
well?”

 

“Mmm, I had a beautiful dream that you were naked and proposed to me.”  I
whisper.

 

“That, my darling, was no dream. It was the best night of my life.”  He gets
out of bed and I see that he is indeed still naked.  “I’m going to take a
shower. Want to join me and help scrub my back?”

 

“Now, that is an offer I can’t refuse.” I pull on my robe and climb out of
bed.  I take Ben’s hand and kiss him tenderly.

 

“Why did you cover yourself up? You know you’re going to have to take it
off.”  He says seductively. 

 

“Why don’t you help me, Ben?”  I look at him helplessly.  He bends down and
slips my robe from my shoulders, only to nuzzle me.

 

“You taste good.”  He murmurs.  “Too good.”  He leads me into the shower.
The water is cascading over us as we stand there letting it flow over us. We
can’t keep our hands off each other’s bodies.  The water is cool and
refreshing on our backs. He washes my hair for me, his hands rub my scalp
slowly. It is as though he’s trying to make the most of every moment we
have together alone.

 

We step out of the shower.  He embraces me.  “Thankyou Meg. You’ve made
me the happiest man alive.”

 

“You don’t look very happy, Ben.”  I can see tears in his eyes.

 

“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?” He sighs.  “It’s this meeting with
Derek today. I’m dreading it. And I’m dreading taking his children.”
 
“I thought you were happy to take them.”  I say, massaging his shoulder.
 
“That was before I met them. I think we’re going to have a difficult job
raising them. Especially Clive.”  He shakes his head.  “I  think he takes after
Derek.”

 

“He’s still very young, Ben. He needs strong guidance, and you can provide
that.”  I reassure him.

 

“We’ll need a nanny.” Ben says, turning his head around to kiss me..
“Otherwise we won’t have any time to ourselves.”

 

“That goes without saying.”  I laugh. “But they’ll need us to be there as much
as possible. And we need the practice for when we start a family.”

 

“I can hardly wait.” He looks at his watch.  “We’d better get going. Derek
will be screaming blue murder.”

 

“Well, it’s not every day you get engaged.”  I lean over and button his shirt
for him.  “So let him scream. Ricardo needs the exercise!”

 

He laughs. “We did have fun last night, didn’t we? I hope married life will
always be as exciting.”  He straightens his tie.  “How do I look?”

 

“Gorgeous.” I kiss him again.  “Let’s go!”

 

                                                ***********

 

We walk into the police station, holding hands for support.  Ricardo shows us
into the cell area.  “Be good, Derek.”  He says, before walking out.

 

Derek smiles.  “I’ve become quite fond of Ricardo. He’s so intelligent. I could
talk to him for hours.”  I notice a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

 

“Cut it out, Derek. We know you called us here for a reason, so talk.”  Ben
sounds strong and in control.

 

“Is that really you, Brother Ben?”  Derek squints his eyes and comes closer
to the bars.  “It looks like you, it sounds like you, but you’re usually not so
forthright. Has your body been invaded by aliens?”

 

Ben doesn’t dignify him with a reply.  “Derek, what do you want?” He sighs.

 

“Apart from seeing you suffer, nothing.”  He laughs.  “Oh come on, Meg,
where’s your sense of humour?”

 

“I lost it when I saw your face.”  I say. Derek’s expression changes.

 

“I’ll get my revenge.” Derek snaps.  “My children aren’t like normal children.
They’re unique, very intelligent, especially Clive. He takes after me, you
know...”

 

“For crying out loud they’re only children.”  Ben raises his voice.  “You can’t
indoctrinate children with your brand of evil!”

 

“Who says?”  Derek’s eyes penetrate me, I have to look away. I see that he
is telling the truth.  “I had those little angels for a year after Maria died.  I
had plenty of time to talk to them. I was a good daddy. And now they’re
going to be living with you. Who says life is fair?”

 

“We don’t have to take them, Derek.” I say, looking at him again. “We could
send them to foster homes, but they’re related to Ben.  He is a good man!”

 

“Let me tell you this, Meg. Good men are dull. I’m exciting, passionate and
full of surprises.”  He says. I smile, thinking about last night. Ben is all of
those things and more. “And when I get out, I’ll show you what a real man
feels like!”

 

“Enough!”  Ben erupts.  “I’m bloody sick of your sexual remarks to Meg, and
I hate the way you speak to me, you barstard. You might have got away with
it when we were younger, but I was foolish. It cost me Maria, and it almost
cost me Meg. You’re not having her, Derek, so keep your dirty hands to
yourself!”  His eyes are flashing as he speaks.   “About the children, we will
raise them our way with love and compassion.  I won’t let them turn out like
you.”

 

“My Ben, you’re actually showing some spirit.” Derek claps his hands.  “I
always knew you had it in you.  But you’re absolutely wrong if you think those
children will be anything like you.  I’d kill you  before I let that happen.”

 

“Empty threats, Derek.” Ben laughs with new strength. It’s almost as though
Derek’s confidence has rubbed off on Ben. I hope that’s all he has of
Derek’s.  “Come on, Meg, let’s go. We’ve got better things to do than hang
about police stations.”

 

“Meg, you know where I am if you get bored....”  Derek calls after me, but
Ben pulls me out of there.

 

He stops in the car park and kisses me.  “I don’t know what came over me in
there, but he made me a little crazy.”

 

“You were wonderful, Ben.”  I say.  “A little scary, but totally inspiring.”

 

“Let’s go home, Meg.”  He says seductively. “I want to finish off our
celebrations.”

 

“That sounds good to me.”  I lead him to the car.  Who knows when our
celebrations will end?

Chapter 32

“Hello?”  I answer the ‘phone sleepily.  I look at the clock, it is two thirty in
the morning. Ben is fast asleep beside me.

 

“Uh, Meg, it’s Ricardo. I’m sorry to bother you, but Derek has just
attempted suicide in his cell.”  He says.

 

I sit up.  “Is he dead?”

 

“No, Ruiz found him in time. He’s been rushed to South Bay General. Can you
and Ben come down here?”  He asks.

 

“I suppose we’ll have to, Ricardo.”  I replace the handset and nugde Ben.
Damn Derek!  “Ben, wake up.”

 

“Not now, baby. I’m tired.”  He mumbles.

 

“Ben, you have to wake up. Derek tried to kill himself, he’s in the hospital.” 

 

He jumps out of bed.  “What the hell.....  Typical Derek, always trying to get
attention. Well, not this time. We’re not going anywhere!”

 

“Sweetie, we have to. The doctors may need permission to operate or
something, and you’re his next of kin.”  I rush over to him, and hold him
close.  “I’ll be there, I promise I won’t leave your side.”  I look at him deeply
in his eyes so that he’ll know it’s true. He has to know it’s true.

 

“Come on then. Let’s get this over with.”  He grabs his clothes and pulls them
on.  I dress and run a comb through my hair.

 

*********************

 

Ricardo is waiting at the hospital for us.  “I’m so sorry.....”

 

“Save it for someone who cares, Torres.”  Ben pushes past his enemy, leaving
me following behind.

 

“I do care, Evans!  You know sometimes you’re more like your brother than
you’d care to admit!”  Ricardo bites back. Boy, that was the wrong thing to
say!  Ben turns around, his eyes flashing.

 

“Damn it. Don’t you ever say that to me not if you want to live to see your
next birthday.”  He walks towards Ricardo, waving his finger at him.

 

“Guys, this is not the time and place.”  I jump in.  Ben calms down.

 

“Just don’t talk to me.”  Ben says.  “We have to see how Derek is and then
we can go.”

 

We leave Ricardo behind to find the doctor.  “Doctor, I’m Ben Evans...”

 

“You’re Derek’s twin. I see the resemblance.”  The doctor says.  “Derek will
live, he’s regained consciousness and has been asking to see you.”

 

“He can ask as much as he likes, Doctor. There’s no way in hell I want to
look at his face.”  Ben turns away.

 

“Ben, you have to do this.” I whisper to him.  “All your life, he’s been ruling
your life. You need to put him in the past where he belongs otherwise this
will eat you up forever. And remember, I love you and I’ll never leave you.”

 

“Okay, I’ll see him. But only for a minute.” He turns back to face the doctor.
“Where is he?”

 

“Come on, I’ll take you there.”  We follow the doctor to a small room. We go
inside. Derek is sitting up, grinning.

 

“Well, good morning, Brother Ben.”  He says.  “I knew you would come. You
always have such a strong sense of duty. I’ve always respected that in you.”

 

“You’re okay. I’m going.”  Ben takes my hand and  turns to go, but then he
stops. He goes to Derek and slaps his face.  “I feel better now, Derek, and
do you know why? Well, I’ll tell you. You are such a little runt who has lied
and manipulated people all his life. This time, you’ve gone too far. You’ve
used two innocent little lives, completely messed them up, but you’re never
going to see those babies again. Trust me, Derek, I will keep Clive and Susan
away from you.”

 

“You can’t do that. They’re my children.”  He mutters.

 

“What was that? You’re not so strong now, are you?”  Ben taunts him, just
like he’s taunted Ben all of his life. To my surprise, Derek bursts into floods
of tears.  “Crocodiles tears...”

 

“Ben, he’s really crying.”  I squeeze his hand.  “He really loves those
children.”  I let go of Ben’s hand and go to Derek. I wipe his tears away for
him as he is handcuffed to the bed.  “Derek, I promise you that we will love
these children with all our hearts and treat them as they were our own. But
Ben’s right. You can’t see them. They’re too young to understand why their
daddy’s is jail. You must understand that.”

 

He nods. There are no clever answers now. His spirit has been  broken.
“Thanks Meg.  You’ve got a special woman here, Ben. Look after her. And for
what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

 

I look at Ben, pleading with him to make his peace.  “Hey, you’re my brother.
I love you, it’s in the rules.”  Ben goes towards him. I step back. He hugs
Derek.  “We have to go now, but I’ll visit again.”  We leave the room.

 

“Why, Ben? Why did you hug him?”  I ask him.

 

“Because you were right. I had to make my peace with him. I had to take my
life back.”  He sighs.  “I’ve spent too long feeling bitter. You came into my
life and I need to be able to love you more intimately, properly.”  He smiles.
“I love you, Meg.”

 

“I love you too.”  I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly.  “You’re
an extraordinary guy, and I’m so proud to be marrying you.”

 

“We’d better get home.”  We step out in the sunshine. Morning has come,
but this night was worth it, just to see the change in Ben.  “The children are
coming today and the decorator I hired to do their bedrooms is starting
first things.”

 

“You’re so sweet, Ben.”  I nuzzle his neck seductively.  He melts into me.

 

“We’ll have plenty of time to do that this morning.  Now that I’ve made my
peace with Derek, the sky is the limit, and I’m planning to go all the way
with you.”  He exclaims.

 

“All the way. I like how that sounds.”  I get into the car. Ben puts his foot
down. He is a completely different person, he has lost all the bitterness
that he has carried around forever. I know things are going to get better.....

Chapter 33

“When you set your mind to achieve something, you go all out, don’t you,
Ben?”  I say as he leads me up the staircase.  “I mean, who else would get
two bedrooms decorated in three hours?”

 

“Well, I did have some help, Meg.” He laughs.  “Come on. They’re beautiful.”
We turn the corner and go into the first bedroom. “This is Susan’s room.” I
am left utterly speechless. Ben’s right, it is beautiful and the room looks
much bigger.  It is painted baby pink, in the corner is a bookshelf filled with
children’s books and there is a play area.

 

“Wow. Susan will love it. And if she doesn’t, I’ll move it here.”  I walk around
the room, looking at everything.

 

“You try it, and you’ll see what I do.” He grabs me from behind.

 

“Is that a threat or a promise?” I ask him laughing. I love this new playful
side of Ben. I have only seen it when we make love, but outside the bedroom,
he is a shadow of his real self. It is as though a cloud has been lifted from
him.

 

“Oh, a promise, Meg. You do things to me that I have only dreamed of.”  He
tickles me, and we both collapse on the floor kissing each other in every
place possible.  He sighs. “I don’t think we should have done all that in a
three year old’s bedroom. Even if she isn’t here yet.”

 

“Ben, they’re going to have to get used to us showing our love for each other
in a very physical way.”  I laugh, realizing how that must have sounded.  “I
mean, we hug and kiss a lot and they should see that. Maybe it’ll help them
to relax with us.”

 

“You’re so right, my darling. I hope it will too.”  He pulls me up from the
floor and kisses me tenderly on the lips.  “I suppose we’d better practise.”

 

“Oh Ben, you’re hopeless.”  I sigh, but I look into his blue eyes and melt into
his kiss.  We don’t even come up for air for a while.

 

“Meg? Ben?”  I hear footsteps come up the stairs and pull away. It is Bette.
“I caught you two making out, you lovebirds.”

 

“I’m sorry, Bette. We didn’t hear you!”  I blush.

 

“It’s okay, Muffin. I was young once.”  Bette laughs.  “I just came to tell you
that the twins are downstairs with Ms. Morgan.”

 

“How are they, Bette?” Ben asks.

 

“Susan is good, but Clive keeps asking for his daddy. I think they were very
close.”  She tells us.  “He’ll be difficult to manage. I hear you hired a nanny.
When is she arriving?”

 

“Next week. We’re going to try to get to know them on our own before
another stranger comes into the house.”  I hold Ben’s hand very tightly.
“We’d better go downstairs.”

 

“I’ll go first. You two take your time.”  Bette turns to go. I am so grateful
for a few extra seconds with Ben.

 

“How are you doing?” I look into his eyes.

 

“I just want to get this over with.”  Ben leans over to kiss me again. His
kisses are my life support system!

 

We go downstairs. Susan is clinging to Ms. Morgan, but Clive stands apart
from everyone.

 

“You’re not my daddy!” Clive screams and runs to the back door. Fortunately
it is locked.  “I want my daddy!”

 

“Clive, your daddy is away on a long trip, and he’s asked me and Meg to look
after you.”  Ben kneels by the boy and looks deeply into his eyes.  “He loves
you very much and so do we.”

 

“You do?”  Clive’s little head pops up.

 

“Very much so.”  He says. 

 

Susan wanders over to Ben. “Do you love me too?”  I feel my heart breaking
at the sound of her little voice.

 

“Of course I do, Susan.”  Ben embraces her, but still Clive stands back, his
face full of thunder.  I go over to Clive and take his hand.

 

“Go away!  My daddy told me all about you and him.  You’re nasty. Not like
Daddy! And I hate you.”  He turns his back on us.  Tears fill my eyes. I knew
this would be hard, but I didn’t realise just how hard. I start to seriously
regret it and from the look on Ben’s face I see that he is feeling exactly
the same way.

 

Ms. Morgan comes over and takes me aside.  “Ms. Cummings, can I make a
suggestion?”

 

“Go ahead.”  I say, grateful for any help I get on parenting.

 

“Take him to see his father in jail. That’s the only way he’ll ever settle down
with you.”  She explains.  “Derek is the only one who can control this child.
Clive idolises him, he misses him so much.”

 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ms. Morgan.”  Ben joins us.  “It could
disturb him more.”

 

“Mr. Evans, it may seem unorthodox, but it’s the only way Clive will ever
move on. Believe me, this child was hell last year. He needs to see Derek.”
She says firmly.

 

“We’ll take him in the morning.”  Ben promises, looking at Clive.  He is going
around the room hitting the furniture.  I hope Ms. Morgan is right,
otherwise the child will be hell to live with. Perhaps Derek will do some good. Well, there is a first time for everything!

Chapter 34

“Come back to bed, Meg. You look exhausted.”  Ben whispers in my ear. I’m
in Susan’s bedroom. She cried all night and eventually I climbed into bed
with her.  “Clive is asleep too. He screamed all night.”

 

“You must be tired too, Ben.” I take his hand and he leads me back to our
bedroom. I look at the clock. It is five in the morning. We only have a few
hours before we have to take the children to see Derek. I take my robe off
and get into bed with Ben.

 

“I feel fine, surprisingly.” He holds me close to him.  “Hold me, Meg.”

 

“I don’t have the energy to do anything else.”  I snuggle into his perfectly
formed body, feeling safe and secure. Ben is the first to go to sleep, and I
listen to him, breathing, and soon I fall into a sound sleep.

 

“Where’s my daddy?”  I wake up to see Clive standing over me, slapping me
lightly.

 

“Stop it, Clive.” I whisper. “Your Uncle Ben is sleeping.”

 

“I’m awake now.”  He sits up in bed.  “What’s the matter, Clive?”

 

“I want my daddy!” He says.

 

“Meg and I are taking you to see your daddy today.”  Ben pulls his robe on
and goes to see Clive.

 

“Daddy doesn’t love us anymore.”  Clive moans.

 

“Of course your daddy loves you.”  Ben reassures the child.

 

“He went away.”  He says.  I understand his behaviour now. He’s so scared of
being rejected that he’s been as naughty as he can so that he won’t let
himself get close to us in case it happens again. Poor little Clive!

 

“Clive, I promise you that no-one is going to go away again.”  I reassure him.
“We love you, and however naughty you are, no-one’s going to send you away.
This is your home.”

 

“I’m sorry, Auntie Meg.” Clive whimpers. How can I tell him that I’m not his
Auntie yet? I smile at him. At least he’s not screaming.

 

“That’s okay. Why don’t you get dressed so we can visit Daddy?  You can
dress yourself, can’t you?”  I ask him. I’ve no idea what three year olds can
do for themselves.

 

“I can dress myself. I’m not a baby!” He jumps up and down.

 

“That’s a big boy.”  Ben laughs.  “Run along and I’ll help Auntie Meg get
dressed. She’s not as clever as you are!”

 

I hit him playfully. Clive smiles. “You’re so funny!”  He runs back to his room.

 

“I see you’ve won another admirer, Auntie Meg. It looks like I’ve got some
competition.”  Ben leans over and kisses me tenderly.

 

“I’m just glad he’s settling in.” I say, pulling Ben on top of me. He kisses my
neck and then I feel his hands work their magic on my back.

 

“Uncle Ben, what are you doing to Auntie Meg?”  A child-like voice asks.  We
look up to see Susan with her hands on her hips.

 

“She’s got a sore back, I’m making it better.” Ben says.

 

“Daddy used to hit Mommy when she was bad. I thought you were hitting
Auntie Meg.” Her simple words break my heart.

 

“Susan, I love Auntie Meg with my whole heart.” Ben explains gently. “I
would never hurt her or anyone else, please believe me.”

 

“Okay.” She runs off.

 

“Ben, those children have suffered so much.” Tears roll down my face. I
can’t stop them. I don’t want to stop them.

 

“Hey Meg, I know exactly how you feel.” Ben brushes my tears away. “That
is why we are going to give them a good life with us. You’ll be a wonderful
mother. I can’t wait until we start a family.”

 

“Neither can I.”  I kiss his tender lips.  “I don’t want to wait long.”

 

“We’ve had lots of practice.”  He laughs.  “I’m glad our children won’t start
off with the baggage that Clive and Susan have, with memories of Derek
hitting Maria.”  His face grows more serious now.

 

“We’re ready to see Daddy!” Clive and Susan say at once, running into our
bedroom.

 

“Are you?”  I say. Susan is jumping on our bed while Clive stands by the door
nervously.  “Well, we’re not dressed yet.  Why don’t you sit down on our bed
and we’ll get ready?”

 

“Okay.”  Susan sits down. “Come on, Clive, sit next to me.”  He runs to his
sister and jumps on the bed. I pull on my robe and get up.  I follow Ben into
the bathroom.

 

“I’m not used to this, Ben.”  I whisper into his ear, brushing past his naked
body.  “It’s usually just us.”

 

“I know, but once the nanny gets here, we’ll have more time.”  He bends over
to kiss me.

 

“Uncle Ben, you haven’t got any clothes on and you’re kissing Auntie Meg!”
Susan giggles.  Ben puts a towel around his naked bottom and goes to Susan.

 

“Susan, we love each other very much, and we kiss each other a lot.” Ben
tries to explain to her.  “Do you understand?” She nods. “Good girl. Now go
back to your brother.” She turns around and runs back to Clive.

 

“Ben, you were wonderful.”  I throw my arms around him. “We’re just going
to have to be careful around them at first.”

 

“I know.”  He sighs, grabbing his trousers and pulling them on. “It’s a shame!”

 

“It’s not for long.”  I button his shirt for him and can’t resist touching his
chest.

 

“That feels great!”  He says, spinning me around to zip my dress up.  “You
look beautiful. Now, let’s go see the evil one!”  I give him a look to warn him
that the children might hear.  He grins. 

 

                                                                     ***********

 

Derek is waiting for us in one of the police interrogation rooms. Ms. Morgan
thought it might be better for the children to see their father in there.
She seems to be very close to Derek, as they are chatting like old friends
when we arrive and I  see her blush briefly. 

 

“Susan, come here.”  He calls to the twins. Susan immediately runs to him
and throws her arms around his neck.  “Clive, you too.”  The boy climbs up on
his father’s lap.  “Have you been good?”

 

“Why did you leave us, Daddy?”  Clive asks bravely.

 

“I’m on a secret mission for the country, son, so you have to stay with Uncle
Ben and Meg for a while.”  I can’t believe the lies that are coming out of
Derek’s mouth.  “Would you like that, Clive?”

 

“No! I wanna go on secret mizzion with you, Daddy.  We hate them.”  He
sulks.  “They kiss like you and Ms. Morgan. We don’t like that.”

 

So it’s true. Derek and the social worker have been having an affair. I smile.
Out of the mouths of babes’.

 

“I don’t kiss Ms. Morgan. I just whisper to her very close. Remember?”  He
asks.  He’s so manipulating.

 

“Oh yes, Daddy.”  Susan giggles.  “I miss you.”

 

“I miss you too, darling, but you have to be good.” Derek kisses her cheek.
“Ms Morgan is going to get you a drink, do you want to help her?”

 

“Anything for you, Daddy!” She follows Ms. Morgan out into the hall.

 

Derek turns to Clive.  “Ms. Morgan said you were being a naughty boy last
night for your Uncle.  You have to be a good boy. Remember what I told you
last time?”

 

“You said to keep it a secret.”  Clive says, seriously.

 

“No, I said to be a good boy. If you’re a good boy, I’ll come home very soon.”
He lifts his son to the floor.

 

“If I’m naughty, you’ll smack me.”

 

“Don’t tell lies. I don’t smack you.”  Derek says.  I dread to think what
cruelties Derek has imposed on those children.  “Now go out to find Susan.”

 

Ben waits until Clive is out of sight.  “Derek, I always knew you were a nasty
piece of work, but you’ve gone too far this time. Beatings, lies and blackmail
to children.”

 

“Wait a minute, my holier-than-thou brother!  Those children are a handful,
they need discipline...”

 

“They need unconditional love, Derek.”  I go over to him and look him in the
eyes.  He grabs me.  I shake him off.  “You don’t scare me with your bully
boy tactics!  And to think I actually felt something for you when you
abducted me.”

 

“You did?” Derek smiles.  “Does Brother Ben know?”

 

“Meg tells me everything.”  Ben says. “We are getting married next month.”
He turns to me.  “I’m so sorry Meg. I know you wanted your parents to be
the first to know.”

 

“I understand.”  I say.  “Derek, you’d better not try anything.”

 

“Oh Meg, my darling, you know me so well. We could have been so good
together, and had lots of babies.”

 

I laugh.  “In what alternate reality?”

 

“You’re very witty.”  Derek snarls.  “But I promise you, I make you sorry,
very sorry.”

 

“We’re scared, Derek.”  Ben takes my hand.  “I think my brother needs a
rest, he’s running out of clever answers.  I’m going to find the children.”  He
leaves, but I hold back.

 

“Just one question, Derek. What’s going on with you and Ms Morgan?”

 

“Why are you jealous?"   He smirks at me before we leave the room. "Wouldn’t you like to know?”

 

I am curious now.  I am certain that Derek has something planned and I don't intend to miss out on this one. And what is this secret that he and the children share? Be afraid, Derek, I'm just as the determined as you are, especially when the lives of the people I love are threatened......

Chapter 35

“I don’t trust anyone who Ms. Morgan recommends, Ben.”  I say, looking at
my watch for the hundredth time.  “I still think she and Derek are involved.”

 

“Hey, how did you get so cynical, Meg?” He asks, rubbing my shoulders.
“You’re so tense. Try to relax. I’m sure Bess is trustworthy.”

 

“She’s late...” I start to say, then as if by magic the doorbell rings.  “Okay,
she’s here, I’ll give her that.”

 

Ben laughs, as he leaves me to answer the door.  I follow him.  He opens the
door. Standing in front of him is this young woman about my age.

 

“Hi, I’m Bessie Jones. My friends call me Bess.”  She shakes Ben’s hand.
“You must be Ben, Derek’s brother.”

 

“How did you know?”  Ben asks.

 

“I used to babysit the twins’ when they lived in Tennesse, before their
mother died. That was a terrible business. Derek was blamed.”  She smiles.
“I’m sorry. You’re supposed to ask me the questions.  I’m nervous. I always
talk a lot...”

 

“Did Derek put you up to this?”  Ben demands.  I understand completely. We
can’t be too careful where Derek is concerned.

 

“I haven’t seen Derek in over a year. That’s the truth, Mr Evans.”   Bess says
softly.  “I know what he did to their mother and that hurt me. I liked Maria
very much, and those children need to have lots of love in their lives. I’m
sure I could help you.”

 

“I’m sorry, Bess. Come in.”  He sits on the couch. Bess sits next to him. She
looks nervous.  “I’m afraid you’re going to have to excuse me being paranoid
for a while. We’ve had a rough time over the last two weeks.”

 

I sit next to Ben.  “Bess, I’m Meg.”

 

Her face brightens.  “You two are getting married soon, aren’t you?”

“Yes. That’s the main reason why we need someone we can trust to look
after the twins so that we can go away.”  Ben explains, looking her directly
in the eye. Ben is pretty smart when it comes to judging people, so I let him
do the interviewing.

 

I sit back and watch as Ben asks her questions.  She looks so young and
innocent, but I am still suspicious of her.  She knows Derek, but she did
admit that at first, so I guess that’s in her favour.

 

“Do you want to see the children while you’re here?”  Ben asks.

 

“Yes, if that’s okay with you. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”  She
blushes.  I wonder what she’s hiding.

 

“Clive, Susan, there’s someone to see you.”  I call up the stairs.  Immediately
we hear the patter of their little feet come running down the stairs. Poor
things, they probably think  their father is here.

 

“Bessie!”  Susan runs into her arms.  Clive stands apart.

 

“Did Daddy send you?”  He asks in a grown-up voice.

 

“Clive, I know your daddy hurt you very much, but I’m here to look after
you.”  She bends down to him.  “Mr Evans, can I take the children for an
ice-cream? I’d really like to spend some time with them.”

 

“That’s fine with me, Bess.”  Ben says.  “And please call me Ben. We’re very
formal in this household.”

 

“You mean, I’ve got the job?”  She runs into his arms.  “I’m so sorry. I’m just
so happy!”

 

“No need to apologise.”  Ben says, obviously embarrassed. Poor guy, he’s not
used to all this attention from women.  I go up to him and take his hand.
“Just make the twins’ happy.”

 

“Oh, I will!” She exclaims, and I swear I saw her wink at the twins.  She
takes them out, and Ben shuts the door.

 

“What’s the matter, Meg?”  He wraps his arms around me.

 

“I don’t know, I just don’t trust her. I think she’s working for Derek.”  I
look into his eyes.  “That probably sounds really dumb, huh?”

 

“I know she’s working for Derek.”  Ben says.

 

“Then why did you hire her?”  I ask, confused.

 

“That old saying, ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’ is
absolutely true.”  He smiles.  “At least this way we can keep an eye on the
girl, and we know what she is doing. It’s important we keep one step ahead
of her.”

 

“You never cease to amaze me. You’re brilliant.”  I pull him close to me, and
kiss him.  “Ben, what’s that sound?”

 

“I don’t hear anything.”

 

“We’ve got the whole house to ourselves and we’re standing here talking.”  I
say, with a twinkle in my eye.

 

“You mean?  Oh Meg, you’re a naughty girl!”  He exclaims.  “But I like
naughty girls!”  I shriek as he lifts me up and carries me up the stairs.

 

He puts me down on the bed very gently and starts to kiss me, using his
hands to undress me.  I love the way his very touch makes me feel, it’s a
mixture of excitement and anticipation, but mostly it’s love and passion.  He
unclasps my bra and his lips work their way down my body.  I run my fingers
through his chest, until finally we give in and make love.  I thought that
because the children were living with us that our love making wouldn’t be as
passionate, but those fears were wrong.  It’s ten times as enriching because
every minute is so precious. Ben’s touch drives me wild every time.

 

“I love you, Ben.”  I whisper to him as we lay side by side. 

 

“The same goes for me. I love you too.”  His lips embrace mine in a
passionate kiss.

 

“Do you think we’ll be like this when we’re old?”  I ask. “Because I never
want the romance to end.”

 

“I promise you that I’ll do my best to keep the excitement alive in our
marriage.”  He brushes his fingers over my lips.  “The good kind of
excitement, rather than the evil kind preferred by my dearest brother.”

 

I laugh.  “You know you sound exactly like him when you say that!”

 

He shudders.  “Heaven forbid. Speaking of twins, the children have been
gone for hours.  I wonder where the nanny from hell has taken them.”

 

“They’ll be back soon.”  As soon as these words leave my mouth, I know they
are the truth.  I hear a sound coming from the beach, a scream that goes
through my entire body.......

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