Chapter 62 - Shooting Star

I drive around in circles, not sure where to go. My phone rings but I refuse to answer.
Tears are running down my cheeks and I stomp on the gas.

Ben with a hangover. Erica who doesn’t want to see me.

I finally park the car on the side of the road and look at my phone to see who desperately wants to speak with me. Ten missed calls, all from Erica. I sigh and go to put the phone down when it rings again.

I hesitate for a moment, but answer it after all. “What?” I snap. “Lynn, don’t be mad. Please. I did not mean to send you away like that, but I had no choice. I promise that I will let you know why later. Give me another chance and come back.” She says in one breath.

I am still angry. “What did I do to you?” I grunt. I know that most of my anger is coming from the hormones.
She finally manages to convince me to come back. I start the car and slowly drive back to Soñador.

Erica is already waiting for me on the drive way and smiles. I park the car and Erica opens the door for me. I get out and she pulls me in a hug. “I did not mean to send you away Lynn. I really did not mean it that way.” She whispers in my ear.

I shrug and step back. “It felt that way.” I am still grumpy and cross my arms. “Come on inside. I need to show you something.”

Erica takes me by my arm and drags me with her. She opens the front door and we step into the living room.

Familiar faces are looking at me. My mouth falls open. “Lea? Sara?” What are you doing here?” I smile widely.

“We wanted to surprise you. But then you showed up here so Erica had to call us back.” Lea explains. “Woah girl, you are so big.” She smiles and points at my belly.
“Yeah, the little one is growing well.” I walk up to Lea and Sara and pull them into a big hug. The little one starts kicking. “I guess someone wants to say hi too.” I grab the hands of Sara and Lea and place them on my belly. “Do you feel this? It’s a little soccer player.” I laugh.

Both Lea and Sara are looking at me with a big smile. “You are going to be great mom.” Sara sighs.

Erica comes back into the room with a tea and sandwiches. We chat for hours. About our lives now. About Amada. About the upcoming wedding and about nothing in particular.
Time flies when you’re having fun. Our chat gets interrupted by my phone. “Ben’s calling.” I smile and pick up the phone. “Hi there gorgeous.” His deep voice sounds at the other end.
“Where are you?” He asks. “I am at Ericas” I reply. “I wanted to take you out for dinner tonight? Are you available for me?” He laughs. “Weren’t you supposed to go out with the guys?” I ask and he sighs softly at the other side. “I was, but they told me that you needed my attention more. And they are right about that.” He says.

I shrug. “If you don’t want to take me out, you don’t have to.” I assure him. “I am okay.”

“Lynn, will you please go out with me?” He begs and I have to give in. “I’ll meet you at the house at seven.” I say before hanging up.
“I guess I have to go.” I say and hug the girls. “Can we meet up tomorrow?” I ask. “Let’s go shopping tomorrow. We need to look good at your wedding too.” Sara says and I nod. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

I leave the girls behind and drive back home. The scent of food greets me when I step inside the house. “Anyone here?” I ask.
There are so many people around that I have no idea who could be inside. “In the kitchen.” A female voice calls me. I step inside and see Joanne busy cooking. David sits at the kitchen table reading a newspaper.
“What are you doing?” I ask.

“What does it look like?” David replies and I chuckle. “Yeah, I know that. But Ben and I are going out for dinner tonight. So I hope you are not making anything for us.” I say.

“You are not going OUT to dinner. You and Ben need some quiet time together without any of his family of friends around. And no other people either. So I am cooking you a dinner and you will enjoy a quiet night at home, just the two of you.” She says and I laugh.
“I love how other people make plans for us.” I say.

“Think about it. How long has it been since Ben and you had a nice, relaxing evening at home, alone?”

I think for a moment and realize I can‘t remember when the last time was. “No, I was always too tired and went to bed, or I was sick. Or we were working to get the nursery ready. And we spent many weekends together with friends.

“How did you know?” I ask Joanne. “I talk to Ben every now and then.” She laughs. “Does he know about this?” I am full of questions. And Joanne smiles at me. “Yes, he knows. He is upstairs getting dressed. I told him to dress sophisticated. You need to put some romance back into your relationship.”

“Can I go?” I ask and Joanne nods. “We’ll be leaving as soon as dinner is done.” She assures me and I hug her. “Thank you so much for this Joanne.” I say and she strokes my back. “No problem.”

I try to sneak out of the kitchen. “Hey and what about me?” David asks and I turn around. He smiles and opens his arms. I walk back to hug him too. “Thank you too David.”

I rush upstairs to the bedroom but Ben is not there. “Ben?” I ask and step into the music room.
There he is, holding his guitar, waiting for me to come in.
The room is finally finished. The only light in the room comes from the fluorescent lamps on the black wall and it looks pretty.

Ben is wearing a suit and he looks even taller than he already is. He softly starts strumming his guitar.

I shiver when he starts singing with a soft voice.



 We’re two of a kind  on our own
I won't walk out, I won't leave you
All on your own
I won’t leave you be
No you’ll never walk alone


I sing about doing without
But I don’t know how
I’m tangled up inside your net
I can’t get out
Coughed up my life
I changed it all by loving you
Don’t ask me why, don’t ask me how
Don’t get me mushy now


A tear rolls down my cheek. “Thank you.” I whisper. How did you know that this is my favorite song?” I ask. “Your mom told me.” He smiles shyly. He runs his hand through his hair.
I have never seen him shy before.

I take the guitar away from him and stand on my toes so I can kiss him on his lips. “I love you so much Ben.” I whisper against his mouth.

“I love you too Lynn.” He replies and wraps his arms around me. We kiss for a while till my grumbling tummy breaks us apart. “I guess me and the little one are hungry.” I giggle and place my hand on my belly. Ben does the same. And the little one reacts immediately.
“It keeps kicking.” I giggle.

“Bye!” A voice sounds from downstairs and the front door slams. “I guess it’s just you and me now.” Ben says. A movement inside my tummy makes me aware. “And little one.” I smile.

Ben goes downstairs while I change my clothes. Since Ben is wearing his suit. I need to wear something appropriate too.
I shift through my dresses and go for a short black dress. It barely fits around my tummy but I manage to squeeze into it.

Bare feet and my hair flowing down my back.

I’m ready.

I go downstairs to find Ben. He’s busy in the kitchen, setting the table and getting everything ready.
There are two cocktail glasses on the counter filled with a red/orange substance. Ben hands one to me. “Cheers babe.” He says. I look at the glass. “But, this is alcohol.” I stammer.
“Nope. Will taught me to mix a ‘Safe Sex On The Beach’ cocktail for you.” He laughs and I snort. “Safe sex? Really?” I clink my glass against his‘. “Well, here’s to us then.” I laugh and take a sip of the cocktail.
It doesn’t taste like the original at all. But for now it will do. It’s the thought that counts.

We sit down at the kitchen table and see what Joanne made us. It’s a plate full of tapas.
I eat as if I haven’t ate anything for weeks. “It’s really good.” I say with my mouth full of olives. Ben chuckles. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” He laughs.

“What do you want to do now?” Ben asks me and I reply immediately. “Sit outside in the hammock and just do nothing.”

Ben looks at me. “Nothing? You and me, both doing nothing? Are you sure we can do that?” He laughs and I nod. “At least for a while, we can always come back inside to watch a movie later.”
He gives in and he sits down in the hammock. I sit down between his legs and lean against him. We softly swing from left to right. My head rests against his chest, one hand on his leg the other on my belly.
Bens’ hand is resting softly on my belly his other hand is stroking Theo, who lies next to the hammock on the grass.

The little one is moving and kicking  every now and then.

It‘s completely quiet outside. Ben hums a soft song in my ear.

“Aren’t we supposed to talk?” I ask Ben. “I think so, but I like this better.” Ben replies and I laugh. “So do I.”

It’s getting dark and I look up at the sky. The stars are bright and the moon gives us all the light we need.
“Make a wish.” I say to Ben while pointing up to the dark sky. “There’s a shooting star.”

“I wish for you to be my wife.” He laughs.

“You are not supposed to tell your wish.” I nudge him. “But it’s true.” He pouts and we both laugh. “I guess your wish is coming true next week.”

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The song Ben is singing: Never alone by Racoon

Chapter Title:

(Technically the chapter is named after the new song of the Pink Fuzzy Animals. But that song is not on Youtube yet)