Living Again
Page 21
He knocked on the door, hearing Lexi on the other side saying, “Nana, come get do! Come get do! Someone hewe!” Ben smiled at that little girl’s voice. His heart constricted as the door opened, Alexis standing next to her nana.
Renee Johnson looked into the handsome face of Ben Nichols, her daughter’s boyfriend. “Ben!” she said. “I didn’t expect you! Please, come in. It’s great to see you!”
“Pick me up, Ben. Pick me up.” Alexis held her arms up. “You come dit me? We go home? Where Mommy?”
Ben laughed at the little girl’s inquisition. She was like a firing squad and she wasn’t even two! “Yes, I’m picking you up and we’re going home. Mommy is sick.”
Alexis scrunched her eyebrows. “Mommy sick? Make her feew bettew?”
Ben kissed her nose. “Yes, we’ll make Mommy feel better. Go get your monkey while I talk to Nana.”
Alexis toddled off to her playroom, leaving Renee and him alone. When he looked at her, he saw Kayley twenty five years from now. She was a beautiful middle aged woman. Her eyes glistened and she smiled at Ben.
“That little girl adores you,” Renee said. “You’re a great man, Ben. Thank you for being there for my daughter.”
Ben cleared his throat. “Renee, I love them both, with all of my heart. This isn’t temporary for me. I plan on making this our forever, if Kayley will let me.”
Dale Johnson entered the room. “Hey there, Ben! Nice seeing you! What are you doing here this evening?”
Ben shook Dale’s hand. “Kayley is sick, so I’m picking up Alexis and taking her home.”
“Is she okay?” Renee asked, motherly concern on her face.
“I think she has the flu,” Ben said, in doctor mode. “I got her some medicine and will help her rest. Lex and I will hang out tonight.”
“Alexis can stay here if you would rather,” Renee said.
Ben shook his head. “Thanks, but I want to take her home. I’ll be okay with her.”
Renee laughed, and Dale smiled. “I’ll be damned,” he murmured. “You’re in love with those girls, aren’t you? There aren’t many men going to take care of someone else’s baby like they are their own.”
Ben nodded. “Totally and completely, sir. I hope that someday we can be a family, officially.”
Renee’s eyes teared up as her husband clapped a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “When you know, you know, son. That’s the best news I’ve heard in eighteen months. You keep us up to date, will you?”
“Absolutely,” Ben grinned as Alexis ran back into the room. “Daddy Ben!” she jumped into his arms, holding her monkey.
Both grandparents’ eyes swung to him again. “Oh my,” Renee gasped, tears falling this time. “Did she just call you Daddy Ben?”
Ben swung her onto his hip and grinned at Kayley’s parents. The feeling in his heart when Alexis said that never stopped. “She’s been doing that for quite a while now, but not all the time.”
“Has Kayley heard her say that?” Renee asked, smoothing Alexis’ curls.
“No,” Ben admitted. “I was afraid to tell her the first time Alexis did it, because our relationship was so new. And she has only said it to me a couple times, and never around Kayley. Usually it’s just Ben.”
“Thank you, God, for this beautiful little girl,” Kayley’s mom murmured. “She’s a miracle in many ways. Seems she knows that in fact you’re her daddy.”
Ben shook his head. “She will always know that Alex was her daddy, but that I’m borrowing her from him. I’ll never take his place.”
“You’re a good man, Ben,” Dale said, tears shimmering in his eyes as well. “Now get home and take care of my baby.”
“Let us know if Kayley needs any help. Will you be bringing Alexis by tomorrow on your way to work?” Renee kissed Alexis goodbye.
“I’m off tomorrow,” Ben said. “But if we need you, we’ll call, for sure. Oh, do you mind if I borrow a car seat for Alexis?”
A few minutes later, Ben had Alexis tucked safely in his backseat, though it was a challenge to install that seat in his sports car.
“Ben?” Renee called, coming down the driveway. “Can I talk to you a second?”
“Of course! What’s on your mind?”
“I’m going to ask you a question that may be a little offensive,” Renee smiled. “I’m not trying to be nosy, or get into your business—” she trailed off, looking embarrassed.
Ben’s stomach twisted at her words, but he said nothing, waiting.
“Could Kayley be pregnant?” she twisted her hands, averting her eyes from him. “I mean, it would be wonderful to us if she was, but I just-”
Ben took her hands in his and met her eyes. “Renee, your love for Kayley is awesome. While I can’t say that it’s entirely comfortable for me to discuss this with you, and I want someday for Kayley to have many children with me, no. She’s not pregnant.”
Renee breathed out, smiling. “Thank you for indulging me, Ben. She’s just been through so much, you know.”
Ben hugged the woman. “Yes, she has. But I love her, and no matter what, that’s not going to change.” He got into the driver’s seat and started up the engine.
“Daddy Ben car!” she announced, looking around. “Pwetty!”
He laughed, revving the engine and pulling out of the Johnson’s driveway. He headed home, to the love of his life, with the miniature version of her in the backseat.
Ben wiped a wet washcloth along Kayley’s face, cooling her fevered skin. She groaned, clutching his hand. Using the straw, he dropped a few drops of liquid onto her lips and she licked them into her dry mouth. As much as he hated to see her feeling miserable, taking care of her like this made his heart swell with love for her.
“Alexis,” she moaned, her voice cracking.
“Asleep,” Ben soothed, gently smoothing her hair back off her flushed face. “I fed her some pasta and veggies, she had some milk, I gave her a bath where half of the water ended up on the floor, brushed her teeth, and put her to bed. She’s out like a light.”
Kayley blinked, her eyes glassy from fever. “Thank you, babe. Thank you.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead, his stomach clenching with regret that she was so sick. “I would do anything for you. Anything. I love you.”
Her lips moved in response but no sound came out. Her forehead wrinkled as she fought to relax and fall asleep. He tucked the blanket under her, then quickly shed his clothes and lay behind her. He pressed kisses to her head, plumping up the pillows so he could keep a better eye on her. The question her mother asked him kept repeating in his head. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Kayley wasn’t pregnant. But even thinking of her, having his baby someday, made his heart constrict. He had always wanted kids, and many. He had never been sure if he would have kids when he was with Zoey. She was very career-oriented, and while he admired that about her, he didn’t think she ever really had the desire to have a family like he wanted.
He put his arm around her, settling his hand on top of the blanket where her flat stomach was. As he fell asleep, a smile crept across his face as he thought of what the future may hold. He knew what he wanted; it was just a matter of time before he made it happen.
Kayley woke up, sweat coating her body. Flinging the blanket off her, she struggled to sit up. After three days of being basically comatose, her fever must’ve broken. She stretched her arms and legs, happy to feel that they weren’t aching anymore.
Catching her reflection in the mirror across the room, she almost laughed at how awful she looked. Her hair stuck up in all directions, her face was pale, and her lips were puffy and cracked. She was wearing the same tee shirt and yoga pants she had been wearing when she got sick. Her mouth felt like cotton, and her stomach rumbled with hunger.
Attempting to smooth her unruly hair back, Kayley heard a squeal from the living room, followed by Ben’s laughter. Her heart fluttered at a sound she never thought she would hear in this house- the love and laughter of a man that l
oved her and Alexis. He had taken care of Alexis in the last three days, refusing to call Emily or her mom to take her. While she wasn’t really sure what they had done that whole time, she knew that he had handled it with grace and finesse. Every night, after he tucked Alexis in around 8pm, he would crawl into bed with her, caressing her sick body, whispering in her ear. Not to mention that during the day, he would check on her hourly, seeing how her fever was, wiping her face with a cloth, giving her medicine, and trying to get her to eat something.
She shuffled to the bathroom, needing a shower and to brush her teeth before she attempted to join the land of the living again. As the water pelted down on her skin, Kayley let her thoughts wander, a smile playing on her lips. She really couldn’t believe that this was her life now. Ben, Dr. Ben Nichols, the man that helped her baby when she was at the second lowest point of her life, was in love with her. Not just her, but her daughter. He chose to help her by taking Alexis instead of leaving her with her grandparents.
She rubbed the conditioner through her hair, the water washing away the nasty sick feeling. She felt so much better, alive again. She couldn’t imagine how she would’ve done this without Ben. She missed his touch, though he had been very gentle and loving with her, that wasn’t the touch she missed. She felt so physically close to him that she missed their connection with each other when they went a couple days without being together. Thinking of having him in that way sent her back to the memory of their first time, the most amazing night of her life. The next day, as she woke up in his arms, she had never felt so content.
“Do we have to go?” Kayley whined, sitting on Ben’s lap at the breakfast table.
Ben buried his face in her neck, loving the smell of his shampoo and conditioner on her hair. “I know, right? What was I thinking? I should call my parents and cancel. There is nothing I want more than to take you right back to that room and show you in many different ways how I feel about you.”
“Last night was amazing. And the middle of the night. And this morning,” Kayley teased, using her hand to caress his smooth face, fresh from shaving. She pressed her lips to his and they both responded, pressing together as much as they could.
“You’re going to kill me,” Ben groaned, caressing her through her clothes. “I’m never going to get enough of you.”
Kayley looked over his head at the clock in the kitchen. “Man, I do have to go, though,” she grumbled, picking up their dishes and taking them to the kitchen. Ben followed her, nuzzling behind her as she rinsed off their breakfast dishes.
“You smell amazing,” he kissed her neck, flicking his tongue out to taste her. She leaned backwards, dropping the dishes back in the sink and wrapping her arms around his neck, leaning her head to the side so he could kiss her.
Tongues touching and Ben pressed up behind her, she wished for more time before they had to leave. “Tonight,” she whispered against his lips as he ground himself into her, showing her how much he wanted her. “After your parents. Come to my house.”
“Are you sure?” he turned her so they were facing each other, running his fingers along the sides of her breasts, unfortunately covered. She writhed at his touch and shadowed her hands along his body.
“Very sure,” she answered. He groaned at her touch, pushing her against the kitchen counter, their bodies lining up perfectly. As they moved gently against each other, she felt like a teenager, feeling him yet unable to actually get to him.
“Damn,” Ben stopped, leaning his head against her forehead. “I’m going to have to see you in a bathing suit today and control myself?”
Kayley laughed, not wanting to move out from behind him but needing to so they could leave. “I promise I will make it worth your while tonight.”
Ben smiled his breathtaking smile, and she knew she made a point. “Kay?” Ben shut the door to his house as he walked her out, and she stopped, looking at him. The look on her face took his breath away. He had put that look on her face. It was a look of love and contentment, of security. He pulled her to him one more time, on the front porch of his house, and looked at her in those beautiful green eyes that sparkled like precious gems. “I want you to know before you leave this house, that I love you. It’s not just words, baby. I love you. I want you to really, truly grasp that. I love Alexis. Spending the day with you today, at my parents, will be simply amazing. Not as amazing as right now, of course. And an hour ago. And…”
“Stop,” Kayley giggled, her hand on his strong chest. “I love you, Ben. You have made me deliriously happy. I can’t even believe I’m not dreaming. I’ll see you in two hours at my house, wearing my muu-muu.”
Kayley stepped out of the shower, wrapping her hair in a towel. Feeling weak but a lot better, she brushed her teeth and got dressed quickly, wanting to go out and see Ben and Alexis.
Ben rolled the ball to Alexis and she grinned as she rolled it back. This was her new favorite game. “Me did it!” she squealed, clapping her hands.
“You did it, Lex!” Ben cheered, rolling it back to her. The television blared her favorite cartoon, but she wasn’t watching. Ben was her instant playmate, and for the last three days, he had done everything and anything he could think of to entertain her so that Kayley could rest. It was hard work keeping a toddler from her sick mom when she was used to being with her most of the time. He loved every minute of being with Alexis, though he missed Kayley. She had been pretty out of it, and seeing her like that made his heart squeeze. He had checked on her an hour ago when he was done feeding and dressing Alexis, and she had still been asleep. He took Alexis with him after she promised to be quiet. A promise for an eighteen month old didn’t mean much.
“Want to see Mommy?” Ben asked Alexis. Alexis’ eyes lit up and she clapped her hands.
“MOMMY!” she yelled, starting for her room. Ben scooped her up, shushing her.
“Mommy’s sleeping because she’s still sick,” he tried to explain. “So we have to be quiet. Can Lex be quiet? Shhhh.” He put his finger on her lips. She nodded her head, repeating shhhh with her big eyes wide on his.
“Wex quiet,” she repeated seriously.
Ben walked with her down the hallway, watching Alexis to see if she was actually going to be able to go quietly in to see her mom. He stopped at the doorway and looked at her. “Mommy’s sleeping, remember, okay? Shhhh.” Alexis nodded and he opened the door.
Kayley was curled up on the bed, in pretty much the same place she had been for a few days. Her hair was fanned out behind her, and her eyes were closed in a restful sleep. His mouth quirked up as she stared at her, so beautiful even when she was sick. His hands twitched with wanting to touch her face, so serene with sleep. Her lips, though parched and cracked, were full and red and all he wanted to do was kiss them. He had tried that several times in the few moments Kayley had been awake, but she wouldn’t let him, afraid to get him sick. He had told her he didn’t care, but she refused, saying she wasn’t well enough to take care of him, too.
Alexis squirmed in his arms, snapping him back to reality. “Shhh,” he reminded her, tapping his finger gently on her lips.
“Mommy,” she said softly, and he was impressed that this little spitfire girl could actually speak quietly. Ben sat gently on the edge of the bed and smoothed back her hair, feeling her forehead gently. She felt a little less warm, and clammy, so maybe her fever was about to break. He sat Alexis on his lap, taking her hand with his so she could touch her mom, too.
“Ben!” Alexis called. “Ball! Play wit my ball!” Ben laughed, realizing he kind of zoned out there.
He heard the door open down the hall, and so did Alexis. “Mommy?” she called, standing up.
Kayley turned the corner, looking amazing. She had showered and her wet hair was pulled up in a bun. Her face looked healthy, and her eyes were no longer glassy. The sight of her made his heart pound, even when she was only wearing yoga pants and a tank top with no makeup. She was just as beautiful to him that way as she was completely dressed up.
Kayley scooped up Alexis, hugging her as she made her way towards Ben. “Hi,” she said, smiling, her eyes twinkling at him.
He pulled her to him, making an Alexis sandwich. “You look like you feel much better. I’m so glad to see you up and among the living again! You need something to eat. The most I’ve gotten you to eat in three days is two crackers and some ginger ale.” Ben leaned over so his lips were touching her ear. “And I want all those beautiful curves to stay intact.” His tongue licked the edge of her ear, causing her to shudder.
She looked up at him. “You’re so bad, Doctor. What am I going to do with you?”
He leaned back in to her ear. “Let’s play nurse and doctor. I’ll even get you an outfit. Or better yet, you can wear just my doctor coat.”
She laughed, and the sound reverberated around his soul. “As soon as I’m 100%, I’m all yours.” She turned her attention to Alexis, snuggled up under her chin. “What have you been doing, baby girl? Have you been a good girl for Ben?”
Alexis popped her head up. “We pay baw, Mommy!” Kayley smiled, kissing her on the nose.
“You played ball? What else did you do?” Kayley walked to the couch and sat down, feeling weak, and settled Alexis on her lap. Ben sat next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders and rubbing her tight muscles.
“Daddy take cawe of me. Give me baf, go ni ni,” Alexis explained. Kayley froze, looking at Ben out of the corner of her eye. Alexis just called him Daddy. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. Her hands shook and sweat popped out on her forehead.
“Are you okay, sweetie? Do you feel sicker? Do you need to lay down?” Ben asked, touching her forehead. He seemed completely unaffected by the fact that Alexis just called him Daddy.
She shook her head, words stuck in her throat. Alexis touched Kayley’s forehead, following Ben’s movements. “Okay, Mommy?” she asked.