This is Ben and Maria story after the ending of the show. The people in their lives will be included in the fanfiction.
Chapter 1
**** Maria ran down to the airport while Ricardo parked the car. "you go before me, I will slow you down," Ricardo shouted out while he watched his sister sprinting quickly. Ricardo prayed his brother didn't board the plane back to Costo Rico, Mexico...
**** Annie couldn't help but over listen to the argument Ben and Meg were having. "good lord they have been only married for less than 2 weeks," she thinks to herself as she stood outside the deck door. She continued to listen in while her mouth dropped open with the revelation that was made. "oh my god, Maria!" Annie thinks while her thoughts raced. "she has no idea what has happened and what is going on, I have to tell her." Before she left she heard Ben begging Meg not to leave. all she could do is hear Meg cry. She peeked in to see that Meg saying it's over for good and that she wants nothing to do with him. And to prove she was serious she left her wedding rings on the table before she walked out of the front door. "this is the biggest gossip of the millennium. I have got to tell aunt Bette and Maria," Annie says and walked down quickly the deck stairs...
**** Antonio handed the boarding ticket at the security check. He was dressed in black leather jacket and blue shirt with a pair of jeans. They checked his passport and handed back to him. "enjoy your flight," the flight attendant said. "thank you," he thanked her and was about to walk through with his black side bag.
"Antonio stop!" Maria screamed while he looked back to see his older sister. She was out of breath and looked like she worked off a sweat. "Maria," Antonio was confused. "Antonio please, please Father don't leave me," Maria begged him while he watched how the tears quickly formed in her eyes. "Maria," Antonio called out and placed his bag down embracing a tight hug while she wept holding onto him. She kissed him on the forehead like little child.
"you can't go I won't let you. You are running away and us Torres we fix our problems. We have to fix this and you need to help me and Ricardo too. All for one and one for all. Please Antonio we need to help Ricardo get his life back. I need to help you get yours back," Maria goes on.
"you may have betrayed your lord but you are only the slave of the creator. Shout to lord of the world and the universe for his forgiveness and he shall forgive thee as we are weak creatures, " Maria cried while Antonio smiled removing the tears. "we will build these bridges together and stand together forever and nothing going stop us now," Maria sang the lyrics of Starship song. "and let the world fall apart around us, we still have each other, nothing going to stop us now," Antonio completed the verse while both siblings laugh. He nodded his head as he watched Ricardo coming up. "you can't leave T. I won't let you, I lost my brother once and I'm not about lose him again, not when we are so close to starting over and having it all," Ricardo declared. Antonio only nodded while Ricardo took his bag and Maria him walked behind him holding onto each other...
***** DA Rouz knocked on Ricardo loft door. He opened and was surprised to see her. "Rouz, what brings you hear?" Ricardo asked. "Detective can I come in," she ask in he usual cold way. He lets her through. "Ricardo how have you been?" "good as I can be given the circumstance," Ricardo replied as she could hear the remorse in his voice for what he did to his wife and brother. "Look Ricardo this isn't social call but I came around to give you your badge back," Rouz told him openly. "what?" Ricardo was confused.
"after evaluating the situation and having gone through all the proof and evidence, including facts about what took place, you were going to have some sort of mental breakdown and I see it now," Rouz explained. "who have you been talking to?" Ricardo wanted to know. "your sister Ricardo, she provided me with your hospital notes as psychiatrist report about your mental well-being since you got shot. "you physically became weak after getting shot, your wedding was brought forward, your wife left you at alter and you were an emotional wreck. When you did finally see the tape of your brother and wife your body reacted triggering the stroke," Rouz analysed. "you felt weak, helpless and powerless and under those circumstances your state of mind wasn't sane even though you intended to take revenge on your brother. The bottom line is your psychological and mental state of your mind wasn't sane like normal people," Rouz acknowledged.
"I don't know what to say?" Ricardo was speechless. "there is nothing for you to say but I will like to see you back into work from tomorrow," Rouz informed him. "yes DA and thank you," Ricardo appreciated it. "oh don't thank me thank your sister and your family," she told him and walked out of the door. He closed his eyes while smile appeared on his face. "all for one and one for all," he says to himself. "god I love you lightening," he says and walks out of the front door to find her...
**** do you think you should move back into surf central?" Maria asked. "what do you think?" he asked. "well Gabi hasn't left town yet and I just don't think it's going be a good idea," Maria states her opinion. "I think with everything that has happened you need to have some distance from Gabi, Ricardo. Stay here with me and Mama and Benji," Maria suggested. "have you found a place to stay," Antonito asked. "no I haven't even been looking properly. I think Mama needs us around. She's so lonely Antonio and we need to bring light into this house again," Maria analysed. "I agree this has been hard for mama her cards they always right," Antonio lets out not wanting to believe it while Maria laughed. "we are stuck with her and her premonitions, there's another man in Gobi's life," Maria repeated with her mother accent while both siblings laughed in hysteria.
"Maria you are going to have me in stiches," Antonio confessed. "where's Benji anyways," Antonio asked. "mama has gone to pick him up from the art classes, Ben and I have joined him into after school," Maria explained. "you know you can teach him yourself," Antonio suggested. "well its his father's doing not mine." "how are things with you and Ben," Antonio asked. "I don't know, I haven't seen him since he got married and if I have its very quick, civil encounters," Maria explained. "its better seeing glimpses of him then not seeing him at all. I did promise him we will still remain friends and we still have full custody over Benji," Maria added. They hear a knock on the door. "i"ll get that," Maria says and opens the front door. "god Maria there you are!" Annie lets out giving her a hug. "Annie I'm sorry sweetie what's wrong," Maria asked. Annie walked in to find Antonio. "oh my god Antonio," Annie says. "I thought your were flying out today to Costa Rico?" Annie asked. "a certain sister and brother wouldn't let me leave," Antonio says. "that's great," Annie says over the moon. Ricardo walked in through the front door too. "T. Lightening I have my badge back," Ricardo told his siblings in thrill. "oh my god no!" Maria and Annie cry out loud laughing while they both hugged Ricardo together. "Maria I couldn't have done this without you. Whatever you said to Rouz. I owe you my life back," he told his sister. "family comes first and I didn't do anything. I just put everything on paper and got Dr Estrada to do a profile on you. It was the truth and Annie helped me too dig few other buried treasures of the past." Maria states.
"we need to celebrate The Torres reunited and Together Forever!" Annie declared while all 4 burst into roaring laughter. "hey Maria why don't you go and get changed into something a little dressy. I'm sure Ricardo won't mind," Annie implied. "na I got my little sister's back," Ricardo joked. "well I am free agent," Maria says. "yeah make sure you impress the opposite gender. Put your hair up you always look beautiful when it's up," Annie goes on. "I think I will have it as it is," Maria says. "even better," Annie laughs. "okay I won't be long," Maria says and walked into her room. "well take your time we are waiting for you," Annie told her while she exchanged a glance at her brother seriously.
"I know that look," Ricardo says. "you guys we have major issues," Annie informed them. "Annie what's happened?" Antonio wanted to know. They followed Annie through beaded door vail where the table rested. "Annie what's wrong?" Ricardo questioned her. "aunt Bette called me today saying she's been hearing a lot of fights between the legendary couple," Annie informed them. "what are you talking about Evans married her no more than a fought night ago," Ricardo says confused. "precisely, Ben is due to going on their honeymoon any time soon," Antonio mentioned. "but don't you find it weird how he hasn't still gone yet with Dorothy," Annie questioned further keeping her voice quiet. "what are you suggesting Annie," Ricardo goes on. "I don't think Ben is eager to go on his honeymoon to Venice," Annie revealed. "Annie what are you talking about," Antonio had gut awful feeling what she was about to say. "you guys there's not going to be a honeymoon to Venice, because Meg has left him. She's walked out on him," Annie confessed while Ricardo and Antonio's mouth dropped.
"I don't believe this," Ricardo declared. "Annie are you sure you didn't misheard. Why even?" Antonio knew it didn't make sense. "Ricardo we can't tell Maria the truth. She will die," Annie stated. "she gave him the divorce because she made a promise to Meg that she would even if she did remember how much she still loved him. Her and Ben both tried to do the right thing. They are people of their word and stick on their decision making huge sacrifices," Annie explained.
"that still doesn't explain why she left him," Ricardo uttered while Antonio looked really concerned. "there is only one way we will know the truth. Ben needs to tell Maria what has happened, we can't tell her it has to come from him," Antonio observed. "you guys it's more complicated," Annie added further. "what do you mean," Ricardo needed to know. "how is he going to justify his action to Maria if she is still his wife," Annie confessed while Ricardo and Antonio froze...
Oh my god," Ricardo says while Antonio felt shiver going down his spine. "Ricardo what are we going to do," Antonio didn't even know. "I need a drink," Ricardo says. "you can't not with your pain killers," he reminds him. "what the hell is wrong with you Evans?" Ricardo muttered gliding his hand through his dark hair.
"Ricardo," Antonio called his brother wanting him to answer and suggest something. "don't worry T we'll fix this we'll figure something out not a word and indication to Maria about any of this," Ricardo made them aware.
They watched Maria come through smiling at them. "how do I look?" Maria asked her brothers and her best friend by doing a little gesture with her hand. all three of their mouth dropped open. "oh my god," Antonio says. "why what's wrong?" Maria was confused and concerned. "nothing you look beautiful especially in your favourite colour," Ricardo covered up. "yeah you look so saintly and innocent," Antonio added. She was dressed in stringless white dress up to her knees and a chiffon white shirt on top to giver her bare arms and skin. Although it covered her arms, you still can see right through it. "its not too revealing is it?" Maria asked. "no its perfect your going rock his world," Ricardo joked. "more like rock his sailing boat," Antonio made a comment while Annie and Ricardo burst into laughter. "who are you talking about," Maria asked. "that new guy Ross English that you attended at Ben and Megs wedding," Ricardo mentioned covering up the truth again.
"oh him, yeah," Maria says. "how serious are you about this guy," Ricardo asked wanting to know. "look Ricardo I do not want to have this conversation with you okay can we please just go. I want to get home by certain time so I can tuck Benji in bed," Maria stated. "well we can talk about him in the car and I'm sorry Maria I don't like him nor trust him. And I'm going to do back ground check on this guy," Ricardo finalised. "I don't like him either," Antonio admitted. "oh god not you two too," Maria responds getting annoyed. "sorry Maria it seems too good to be true and coincidence that this guys circumstances resembles exactly of Ben's." "his right for all we know he could be an imposter of some sort," Annie added more doubts. "look you guys I'm not ready to date again I need time to heal. I need to provide security and love to Benji and have control over my life. I need to stand my own roots," Maria explained while her brother and friend knew it was going to be impossible. "come on we'll talk about it more in the car," Ricardo implied while they all leave the house...
**** Maria can I ask you something," Antonio asked while Ricardo drove and Annie sat at the front on the passenger seat next to Ricardo. "yeah course," Maria asked. "do you know why Ben hasn't gone to his honeymoon yet to Venice," Antonio asked while Annie and Ricardo exchange glance at each other. "I think his due to go soon. His just tying loose ends and making sure his business hasn't been affected nor had financial strain due to his psychotic, insane brother," Maria replied. "I think he will rather go having peace within him than having to constantly be thinking about everything." "Maria that's all Ben does broods," Annie mentioned. "he'll go soon, I know he is." Ricardo parked the car outside the deep. "you ready," Ricardo asked. "yep," Maria agreed and got out of the car...
**** the music in the Deep was echoing while the Torres siblings and Annie walked in. "so am I going to meet Jude officially," Maria asked making themselves to the bar. "yeah tonight I promise," Annie says. "well can you show me an official picture of him please," Maria was keen to see it while she took one out of her wallet and showed her. Maria laughed as did Ricardo and Antonio. "what?" Annie asked. "his erm..." Maria paused not knowing what to say. "his better looking on photos than real life," Maria declared. "Maria no!" Annie cried.
"I'm sorry Annie it's the truth. You like him and don't take any notice of me I'm just very particular what I like," Maria explained while her mind drifted when she saw Ben's picture for the first time with Meg. She found him extremely handsome. "are we getting a drink or what," Maria suggested. "i'll get the drinks while you have the first dance with T. And I'll have the last dance with you," Ricardo ordered. "and Jude will have middle dance with you," Annie joked. Her and Antonio hit the dance floor while Ricardo and Annie glanced back at each other. "hey David have you seen Ben," Annie asked. "yeah he is here probably up in his office," he suggested while he opened the seal capped bottles. Ricardo handed him the money and took a drink. "we have got to set the situation up for those two," Ricardo implied. "his already seen her through his office window his going to come down," Annie predicted which was exactly what he did. Ben walked out from his office and made his way down.
Antonio saw Ben and stopped dancing with his sister who had her back to him. "now father I would have expected you to have perfected your dance steps by now," Maria teased her brother making both Ben and Antonio laugh. "I thought I just greet a certain brother in law of mine," Antonio answered. She kept her back to him while her brother greeted him shaking his hand. Ricardo walked up with Annie with the drinks handing it to Maria and Antonio. She took a sip from her drink keeping her back to Ben still while Annie felt the weird tense vibe coming from them both. "what brings you guys here?" Ben asked. "we are celebrating Ricardo getting his badge back," Annie informed him. "well done Ricardo," Ben congratulated him. "ah don't thank me Evans, thank my little sister for making everything right for me. In fact she even stopped T from leaving town today," Ricardo explained while Ben glanced back at Maria. She slowly turned around and faced him almost shyly.
"you make it sound I made a miracle happen. I didn't do anything but just presented facts and evidence in front for them to make their own judgment," Maria explained. "I'm no Mother Teresa Ricardo," Maria stated. "I'm sorry what did you just say," Ricardo was confused. "Evans maybe you should remind her what her name actually is?" Ricardo suggested. "as far as we are concerned you are the Mother Teresa of Sunset Beach," Ben acknowledged. "how?" "well firstly you are a mother and if one wanted to they could call you by your middle name, Teresa" Ben made the point. "and secondly who else do you know that has down such selfless acts where she sacrificed her own life and taking responsibilities of making sure she put other people's needs and feelings first than her own," Ben observed making everyone reflect. "Antonio," Maria responded making everyone laugh. "what it's the truth," Maria stated. "have it your way Maria because as far as we are concerned you are the miracle," Ben concluded.
"how's your wife?" Maria changed the subject while Ricardo and Annie including Antonio nearly spat their drink out. Ben only eyed her. "she's good, marvellous in fact," Ben answered eyeing her head to toe while they watched a humorous smirk appeared on his face. "oh boy," Ricardo muttered under his breath. "Maria is there something that you know?" Annie asked while Maria eyed them confusedly. "I don't know what you mean?" "it just the way you said it sounding almost sighcastic. Almost like you sensed something has happened," Ricardo mentioned while Ben eyed the siblings and Maria with a deep frown. He sensed they knew something.
"so Antonio are you going to move into surf central again?" Ben asked trying to have an understanding of the situation. "no I don't plan to. Maria convinced me to stay with her and Benji and I think she's right. Mama does need us around," Antonio stated. "your sister's judgement is right. Your mother does need you lot around. She's never been the same since, since..." Ben paused as he couldn't get to say it. "since the accident," Ricardo completed it while Maria and Ben's eyes stayed locked within each other. "you know Evans there's this saying that you can divorce a wife but you can never divorce your family," Ricardo verified. "I know, you are stuck with them even when you chose not to be because you are bounded with them forever," Ben extended while Maria tried to read his eyes and understand what is going on with him.
"so Annie where is that boyfriend of yours, I'm really keen on meeting him," Maria stated. "his probably got caught up," Annie answered. "I've had the pleasure to meet him actually," Antonio declared. "yeah so have I," Ben laughed smirking at Antonio who knew he was trying to whine her up. "you are making this up," Maria responded poking Ben playfully on his shoulder as he watched how her eyes widened when she smiled which lit up her whole face. "I am truly not, I actually have had the pleasure to meet him," Ben told her. "and when was that in your dreams," Maria laughed. "no actually the morning I flew out for Seattle," Ben honestly revealed while Maria's mouth dropped open. She looked a little stung by his statement while Ben realised what he said. The tense atmosphere surrounded around them as her brothers and Annie felt it this uneasiness. "oh god," Maria thinks to herself while Ben kept his gaze on her.
"what did you think of him?" Maria asked softly. "what did I think of who?" Ben wondered who she was referring to. "Jude, your judgement about people tends to be correct," Maria tells him. "and there I was thinking it's actually your judgement that tends to be correct almost like you sense and see the implication of one's actions before they could even see it themselves," Ben analysed. "I guess I take after my mother's gift," Maria says. "you always did have a gift and you still do you just a little blind to see it but everyone else does." "I wish I could have as much as faith in me as you do," Maria mentioned complimenting him in the process. Her brother and Annie knew those two had so much unfinished business and why Maria has kept her distance from Ben only wanting to keep quick glimpses of seeing him around. They haven't dealt with everything that has happened with regards to Seattle, Derek, Tess and Benji.
"T I need to talk to you about something," Ricardo says grabbed his brother by the shoulder hard. "I'm going to phone Jude and see where the hell he is I'll be back soon," Annie walks off quickly leaving them alone. There was this awkward silence between them both while Maria looked a little nervous. "I have to go, I need to tuck Benji in bed," Maria quickly says. "I can drive you back," Ben implied. "no that's okay my... my brothers can give me a lift back," Maria responded. "no don't be silly I was planning to head this way anyways to see Benji ," Ben explained which was the last thing Maria needed. He always knew how to say the right things at the right moment. "besides this would be a good time for your brothers to build bridges and resolve their issues," Ben stated. She knew Ben was right. "I'm sure your brothers don't mind, after all they know I would take very good care of you," Ben assured her as Maria gulped. She knew he was comparing himself with his brother and reassuring her that he is nothing like him.
"shall we?" Ben asked while she glanced back at her brothers who were sitting around a table and having a chat. "we shall," Maria answered as she walked in the front of him and Ben followed behind her. "do you think his going to tell her?" Antonio asked. "he better tell her otherwise there will be a massive explosion," Ricardo predicted...
**** Maria walked in through the front door as Ben followed behind her. She threw her bag on the table while she watched her mother coming through the beaded door vail. "Maria," she greeted her daughter. "mama did your card already reveal to you I was on my way home?" Maria asked. "the cards also showed who was bringing you home," Carmen answered while Ben couldn't help but smirk humorously. "did it now?" Maria wanted assurance while she gazed back at Ben with a vivid smile. "oh ci Micha," Carmen agreed and went over giving a hug to Ben. It made her heart melt when she watched her mother do so and how she placed a hand on Ben's cheek stroking it while her black sapphire round ring sparkled in the surrounding candle lights. "I'm going to see to Benji and tuck him in bed," Maria says. "I could do that instead," Ben says. "no that's okay," Maria assured him while they watched Benji coming out from his room. "Daddy," Benji quickly came up to his father. "oh up you get," Ben stated and pulled him up to his lap to a big hug.
"young man and why are you not in bed yet you have school tomorrow," Maria asked using a tone of voice that both father and son recognised. They both glanced back at each other. "am I in trouble?" Benji quietly asked his dad keeping his gaze on his mum who didn't look impressed having an eyebrow raised and a hand on her hip. "I guess so," Ben agreed whispering back to Benji's ear who had wrapped his arms around his father's neck. This made Maria burst into a vivid laughter. "mummy what's so funny," Benji asked. "nothing sweetie your father just makes me laugh. He always could so easily," Maria answered. "he still does," Carmen revealed. "my Abuletta said that daddy's coming around to see me," Benji added. "well why doesn't he tuck you into bed and I'll be in there in a bit," Maria suggested. "okay," Benji says as Ben took him back into the room.
"Maria I'm just going to pop out to see a friend of mine, I'll be back soon," Carmen suggested. She nodded her head. "It is he Maria, the English I saw it was Ben's face that I saw," Carmen reminded her before leaving making her ponder over...
Ben walked out of Benji's room to see no Maria. He walked into the other end of the house where the round table rested and noticed a framed picture of Maria in her white dress. He picked it up and broodingly eyed it. It was he that gifted her with this dress because of her saintly qualities and angelic features. Placing it down he went over to the Torres family photo albums and took one out opening it to find his wedding pictures staring back at him. It was the one with the Torres family, Gregory and Annie in the picture.
Maria walked out of the kitchen slowly to find Ben sitting by the table with his back to her. He looked miles away swept into his own world. "hey," she greeted him and shuts it quickly not wanting her to see what he was gazing at. "I thought I might offer you a cup of tea," Maria tells him placing the hot mug on the table. "you didn't have to," Ben replied. "I know but I wanted to," Maria declared. "Benji a sleep?" "yeah the little fella was knocked out before I could finish off telling him the story," Ben mentioned. "what do you have there anyway,' Maria asked looking over his shoulder. "just looking at some old memories," Ben answered. "are you okay," Maria asked sitting beside him.
"I'm fine why shouldn't I be?" Ben declared. "somethings wrong though," Maria added. "if not here," Maria pointed to his heart. "then defiantly up there," she analysed pointing to his head. "I'm just tired," Ben confided. "tired of life or the situation?" she questioned making Ben reflect. "bit of both," Ben declared. "I'm sorry," Maria apologised. "for what, for having your whole life stripped away from you, for having to make the biggest sacrifice ever by being completely selfless in the acts and trying to do the right thing," Ben expressed making Maria's heart ache. She remained quiet realising self-guilt and self-pity was over whelming him.
"it's not thee's fault for what happened to thy," Maria reminded him. "how could you even say that. You came back with a death warrant for I. He wiped your memories away to punish you because he knew I was never going to take you back and I needed all the answers. He was pulling the strings behind the situation all along making myself go through a mental and psychological torture, blackening my reputation in this town," Ben went on making Maria face crumble. "you were a ransom for my wealth for years and so many ended suffering because of this," Ben concluded. "don't do this now please," Maria cried. "do what speak the truth, I promised you that I was never going to let nothing and no one come between us and I let it, I let my brother win and I made it incredibly easy for him," Ben realised as she watched how his rage of anger boil like lava about to erupt.
"but it wasn't your fault I don't blame you and never did," Maria reassured him. "I mean where is all this anger and emotions coming from now?" Maria asked. "Maria we need to do a maternity test on you and Benji," Ben confided to her. "Ben I can't do this anymore Benji isn't mine," Maria tells him. "and you believed that manipulating lyer, who's lied about everything to you from the very start," Ben started to get her to open her eyes. "don't you find it strange that she was adamant that the paternity test was done on myself and Benji and not on you and him," Ben tells her. "he looks nothing like Tess, he doesn't resemble anything of her and just because she showed you a picture of her pregnant doesn't mean she was. When in those 5 years could she have been pregnant Maria when she kept your prisoner," Ben asked. "they tampered with both yours and Benji's memories, you didn't even feel nothing for your own family let alone me of course you feel disconnected from your own child," Ben goes on making Maria more upset. "stop it!" Maria cried getting up not wanting to listen and turning away but he grabbed her by her waist pulling her to him and holding onto her wrist.
"don't walk away from me!" Ben tells her firmly. "what do you want from me," Maria cried. "the truth," Ben replied back. "I can't give that to you," Maria sobbed. "yes you can, think about it. Tess hated you with a passion and she wanted to you dead with the knowledge of Benji not your child," Ben went on while Maria kept crying trying block it out from her mind. "when would you have got pregnant in Seattle and when would have Derek made love to you in Seattle and you conceived unless you were pregnant when you fell off the Mariah," Ben further asked. "I would never betrayed you, I would never let him touch me if I knew it wasn't you," Maria wept. "I know that now, but Maria you wrote about a secret that you held and wrote it in your journal leading up to the accident. A secret that you were happy about. He wiped that memory from you," Ben went on about it. "how do you know about all this," Maria cried. "because Annie told me and Tess confirmed it once I tortured it out from her," Ben expressed as Maria held Bens hand tightly not wanting to believe it. "she can never hurt you again and that's a promise I'll make her pay for everything she put you through by placing same punishment on her as she did on you," Ben vowed.
"Ben I don't know what to do," Maria tells him. "Maria the adoption didn't go through, as far as the court is aware Benji is your child. Your name is on the birth certificate so legally he's your son," Ben explained. "we don't even have to do a blood test anymore," Ben assured her as she watched a smile of hope appear on his face. "what are you talking about?" Maria wondered. "all we need is tissue samples and you can have a DNA test with cheek tissue cells and it will give you the results. It's that simple," Ben goes on describing. "no needles, no blood just cells," Ben assured her. "just 4 weeks after you will have the results." "after 4 weeks what happens then Ben, what will this mean for you and Meg," Maria wanted to know, being aware how desperate he was to prove others wrong and that Benji was really was his with Maria's.
"you haven't even gone to your honeymoon to Venice with Meg and people are asking me why that is," Maria makes him aware. "what did you say," Ben had to know. "that you probably tying loose ends and making sure certain member of you family hasn't put a financial strain to your business," Maria explained. "he hasn't," Ben answered letting Maria go. "he transferred a large sum of money to another account but the bank and the police have managed to track it down. I'm just waiting for it all to be cleared," Ben informed her. "and then there's the issue with the liberty co-operation, I can't just pack up and leave," Ben mentioned. "that's what I said," Maria verified. "But everyone thinks there is more to this." He stared back at her as he watched her wipe away the tears. "what do you mean?" Ben questioned. "How does Meg feel about all this?" Maria wondered. He remained quiet. "Maria there's something you need to know." "look Ben okay we'll do a swab DNA test," Maria assured him. "you need to concentrate on your marriage, I can take care of myself, I got my family around me." "Maria there's not going to be a honeymoon to Venice," Ben tells her. "what are you talking about, of course there is, you are finally married," Maria stated. "Maria she walked out on me, she's gone its over," Ben declared. "what do you mean she has walked out on you?" Maria questioned as he listened to anger in her voice. "I didn't divorce you so she can leave you because things are getting a little too complicated for her liking," cried Maria appalled by Meg's behaviour.
"it is a little complicated and I don't know how tell you this because I don't even know how this happened," Ben confessed. "Ben I'm confused, look whatever it is we'll fix it I promise," Maria made him aware. "but you need to tell me openly and honestly what is going on," Maria had to know. He took her hand and made her sit down on the chair. "Maria I don't know how to tell you this, but... the divorce didn't go through," Ben made her aware. "Ben how could this be, I signed the divorce paper and the adoption paper in front of you and you took it with you," Maria reminds him. "I know I did, I was so adamant and in such a rush that day to marry Meg and made a few phone calls to make sure that the divorce got accepted," Ben explained of his actions and intention. "well what happened did they misplace the document or something, what?" Maria questioned. "I was waiting for the divorce certificate to come through only to find my lawyer coming to see me to inform me about the adoption being invalid and the divorce." "that still doesn't make sense," Maria goes on. "why didn't the divorce go through?" He stared at Maria not knowing how to tell her. "what did you do Ben?" Maria whispered she could read the guilty consciousness on his face and expression. "it's what I didn't do?" Ben corrected her. "Ben what didn't you do?" Maria cried as her hands begun to tremble and feeling a shiver go down her spine.
"Maria it wasn't done deliberately – god damn it Ben just tell what you did!" Maria interrupted raising her voice at him. "I don't know how I forgot but I let it slipped," Ben further explained while Maria cried. "what did you let slip," Maria asked crying as fresh tears built in her eyes more. "I was adamant to have it fixed and sorted that…" Ben paused and closed his eyes. "what didn't you do English?" Maria repeated again as the blank pieces filled her mind already. "I forget to put my own signature on the divorce paper myself," Ben confessed. "oh god no," Maria burst into loud sobs and covered her face resting it on the table as her brown hair covered her face. He watched how her body shook when she was. "Maria please don't cry." "what is wrong with you?" she shouted at him. "how could you let something like this happen, how could you even let something like this slip, how can you forget such a thing," Maria shouted at him. "forgetfulness is part of human nature," Ben says. "don't give me that, the godly sale speech," Maria pounced back and she got up wanting get away from him. she turned around and leaned by the TV and kept crying.
"Maria I didn't do this deliberately. You have to believe me," Ben tried to convince her. "I don't know what to believe anymore. I think I know where I stand with you and then you end up doing things that changes everything between us. No wonder she walked out on you, what did you think she was going to have done, stayed in this shambled situation because you're an indecisive, weak being not even close of being the young worrier that you should be," Maria commented. "your name means young worrier and you have no qualities of him. God his made you so weak," Maria kept crying making Ben's whole heart rip out. "I know your upset? But Maria you have to believe me it wasn't in my intention. I need you to believe me," Ben begged. "don't accuse me of something I didn't do deliberately, I lost you for that and lost my whole life for that," Ben told her. "I do believe you, I just don't know what to do with you," Maria says. "and you think I know what to do with you?" Ben questioned. "oh god Ben what are we doing to ourselves?" Maria kept weeping as he came closer towards her. "come here," Ben took her and cradled her into his arms as she placed her head under his neck...