Ben lay in bed alone, wishing Heather was there. A week had passed, and he was alone for the night, since Heather was at Lucy's house. Well, that's what Heather had told him...
Of course, Heather was at Paul's.
Ben looked at the clock. Midnight. He couldn't sleep. Something just didn't feel right between him and Heather. They'd been fine until a few weeks back. She was always out and when she was with him she didn't talk to him much.
He heard Nicole crying so her put on his dressing gown and went into her bedroom.
"Daddy!" Nicole cried as Ben switched on a light. "There's a monster under my bed!".
Ben looked under the bed and shook his head. "Don't worry princess, there's no monsters under there anymore, I've scared them away,". He hugged her as she clung to him tightly.
"I don't wanna go bed!" Nicole whimpered. "I keep having nightmares,".
Ben picked up a book and read her a story. By the time he reached the last page, Nicole was fast asleep.
"Good night darling," he said as he kissed her good night and went back to bed.
In the morning, Heather awoke to the sound of snoring. She opened her eyes and saw Paul lying beside her, still fast asleep.
She smiled, he looked so cute when he was asleep. "Shame about the snoring though," she said to herself.
Heather jumped up when she heard a knock at the door. "Paul, there's someone at the door," she said, tapping him to wake him up.
Paul's eyes fluttered open. "Huh?".
"Someone at the door," Heather repeated. She went to the window and peaked out. "It's Christian and Naomi," she told him. "What shall I do? Hide?".
Paul sat up and rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Get dressed and pretend you're here to help he look after the twins or something,".
Heather quickly threw on her jeans and a top, then went downstairs to let them in.
"Hi Heather, didn't expect to see you here," Naomi smiled, walking in. "Where's Paul?".
"He'll be down in a moment," Heather said. "I came over to help him look after the twins,".
Paul came down the stairs and welcomed Christian and Naomi. "Back already?".
"Yeah," Christian nodded. He and Naomi had been in Norway for the past week visiting his family over there. "We're back for Sarah and Mark's wedding,".
"Oh yeah, that's only in a couple of days," Paul remembered.
They went into the living room and sat down. "Who wants a coffee?" Heather asked.
"Please," Naomi said. "So how's Helen?".
Paul frowned. "Still in a coma unfortunately. I'm going to visit her tomorrow,".
"Poor Helen," Christian said. "I feel really sorry for the twins, they must miss her so much,".
"Yeah, they do," Paul nodded. "They keep asking where she is, they don't understand what's going on,".
Heather returned to the room with the coffee, followed by Kris and Jamie who were still in their pyjamas.
"Auntie Heather, we liked that story you read us last night," Jamie said to Heather with a big grin. "It was better than the boring stories mummy tells us,".
Heather blushed. "Thanks,".
"Heather's been a great help with the kids," Paul said to Christian and Naomi. "I don't think I could cope without her help,".
Heather shot him a warning look.
"That's really nice of you Heather," Naomi smiled.
That afternoon, Heather was back home, sitting watching TV. Ben was in the kitchen making cakes with Nicole.
"When will they be ready, daddy?" Nicole asked as they joined Heather in the lounge. "I'm starving!".
"About half an hour," Ben told her, sitting on the sofa next to Heather.
Nicole crawled onto Heather's lap. "Mummy, why are you never at home anymore?" she asked. "It's always daddy looking after me now,".
"I'm sorry darling," Heather said, feeling guilty. "But I've been looking after Jamie and Kris a lot while auntie Helen is poorly,".
Nicole nodded and bounced off Heather's lap, rushing into the playroom.
"It's true what she said," Ben said, putting the TV on mute and turning to face Heather.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"You're never here. You're always with Paul,".
Heather felt her cheeks going red. "Um... well I'm only helping him out. He can't manage on his own with two kids!".
"But you could still spend more time with me!" Ben said, raising his voice.
Nicole returned to the room and stood by the door watching her parents arguing.
"Ben, can't you see I'm only doing a favour for my mate? Helen in a good friend of mine and her kids need me around," Heather cried.
"Nicole needs you even more!" Ben yelled. "You're not being a very good mother,".
Heather was angry, how dare he say she wasn't a good mother! She gave him a big slap around the face.
Nicole burst into tears, making Ben rush over and cuddle her.
"Now look what you've done!" Heather shouted at him. "Nicole, go back into the playroom and I'll be with you in a minute,".
Nicole wiped her eyes and ran into the playroom.
"I'm going out," Ben said, giving Heather a glare. He turned and walked out of the front door and got into his car.
Lucy sat at the bar in her favourite London club alone. She and Nick had been rowing a lot recently.
She suspected he had been with the actress from the video but hadn't said anything about it. After all, she had been just as bad...
She smiled as she remembered her night of passion with Mark. It had been a night she would never forget. But she hadn't seen him since, as he and the rest of Westlife had left to go over to Ireland.
"Hello there Lucy," said a familiar voice.
Lucy turned around to see Ben. "Hi," she grinned, thinking how hot he looked.
Ben sat next to her and ordered a drink. "What's wrong?" Lucy asked, noticing how upset he looked. She was worried that he might have found out about Heather's affair.
"We had a row," Ben told her. "I stormed out and I've been driving around all afternoon doing nothing. I can't face going home yet,".
"You can hang around with me if you like," Lucy told him. "Nick's away on business at the moment so I'm a loner tonight too!".
Ben smiled. "Thanks,".
The two of them sat at the bar drinking and chatting all evening until it got late. "Come back to mine," Lucy offered. She knew Heather was probably at Paul's anyway.
"OK, thanks," Ben said, putting his empty beer glass down and getting off his chair.
They drove over to Lucy and Nick's big house in south west London and went into the living room.
Lucy sat on the velvet sofa and closed her eyes. "I'm tired," she yawned.
"Me too," Ben said as he sat next to her, resting his head on Lucy's shoulder.
Lucy put the radio on, 'Swear It Again' was playing.
Ben couldn't keep his eyes off Lucy. He though she looked so pretty, and the fact that she was wearing a low cut top and tight trousers turned him on even more...
Lucy swivelled her head around and caught Ben looked at her. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other.
Lucy looked away, blushing with shyness. "Would you like a drink?" she offered.
"Please, I'll have whatever you're having,".
Lucy went and got a bottle of red wine and poured out two glasses. She passed one to Ben and took at sip at hers.
"Thanks," Ben said, tapping his fingers to the beat of the music playing on the radio and singing along.
"You've got a really good voice," Lucy complimented. "I've always liked your music,".
"Thanks," Ben blushed.
"Sing something for me," Lucy asked, placing an arm around Ben lightly, making his heart flutter.
"OK..." Ben tried to think of what he could sing. "Love leads to laughter love leads to pain. With you by my side I feel good times again. Never have I felt these feelings before. You showed me the world how could I ask for more. And although there's confusion we'll find the solution, to keep my heart close to you. And I know, yes I know, if you hold me, believe me, I'll never, never ever leave... And I know, there is nothing that I would not do for you. Forever be true, and I know, although times can be hard we will see it through, I'm forever in love with you,".
Lucy smiled and snuggled up closer to him.
"Show me affection in all different ways. Give you my heart for the rest of my days. With you all my troubles are left far behind. Like heaven on earth when I look in your eyes...".
He stopped singing and gave Lucy a sexy smile. She looked into his soulful blue eyes and returned the smile.
Moments later, they were kissing. Lucy ran her fingers through Ben's glossy brown hair as Ben wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Wow!" Ben said afterwards.
"Want another taste?" Lucy said, raising her eyebrow in a flirty way. She leant forwards and they started snogging again.
Ben finally pulled away and looked into Lucy's eyes. He slid off his shirt and lay down on the sofa next to her. He placed a hand gently on Lucy's shoulder and started to undo her top.
Lucy smiled excitedly and forgot all about Nick. She put her arms around Ben as he stroked her hair gently.
Ben reached out and flicked off the light. They started to kiss passionately, all thoughts of Heather vanishing from his mind.
.