"Where is he now?" Sergi accepted a cup of tea off Niall. He'd arrived at the cottage expecting to be greeted by his son in law but Niall had informed him that Ben didn't want to be disturbed by anyone.
"He was very upset when he arrived," Niall started to explain as he and Sergi took a seat at the table. "He wouldn't tell me what was wrong or what had happened, he just dumped his things and went upstairs," he paused and took a sip of his tea. "I gave him some space but I got worried and tried to talk to him but he just lay on the bed and wouldn't respond. I hoped to reason with him but he shut me out and told me he didn't want to talk to anyone and just wanted to be alone."
"How long has he been up there?" Sergi stirred his tea as he tried to figure out how to handle things.
"Ages now, a couple of hours at least. I thought he was sleeping but I could hear him crying when I checked on him a few minutes ago. He wouldn't accept any comfort so I left him to it," Niall shrugged and then placed his cup down with a heavy sigh. "What's happened, Sergi?" He asked. "Why is he so upset? Is there something wrong with Lilly?"
Sergi continued to stir and shook his head. "Lilly is fine," he glanced up and smiled. "Well, not fine but as well as she can be under the circumstances," he corrected. Sitting up straighter, he cleared his throat before continuing. "All I know is that there was some sort of altercation between Lilly, Benjamin and Cara. Hanah is talking to the girls and I've been sent to sort young Benjamin out," he smiled. "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding but the girls are very upset."
"As is Benny."
"Yes, of course," Sergi nodded sadly. "Lilly's emotions are all over the place, as you can imagine and I am not sure she is thinking straight. I am afraid that her husband took the brunt of it and I am here to assure him that things will all be well soon."
"I am not so sure about that. I have never seen Ben so devastated."
"And I have never seen my girls so devastated either," Sergi agreed. "There must be something we can do to rectify this misunderstanding. Those two are meant to be together and their baby's birth is only weeks away," he glanced up and smiled sadly. "They need each other."
Niall nodded slowly. "I know," he sighed. "Let's give him a while longer and then see if we can sort this out together, okay?"
Sergi raised his cup in salute. "Sounds a good idea," he smiled.
Niall lifted his own cup and touched it to Sergi's. "Let's plot our strategy," he grinned.
"Absolutely!"
They needed to tread softly as they were not sure of the facts surrounding the situation but there was no way they were going to sit back and allow Ben and Lilly throw away their happiness on what appeared to be an innocent misunderstanding.
Xxx
Lilly rested both hands on the rim of the sink and hung her head. She rocked as she desperately tried to stay in control. Her pain had returned and she was struggling to catch her breath.
This couldn't be happening now. It was not time.
"Please, please," she mumbled as she rocked. "It's too early."
She wasn't stupid. She was a Platon. She knew the signs of labour very well. The pains were regular now, coming closer together and increasing in intensity.
"Umm..." She bit her bottom lip and groaned. "N-no..." Panting in both exhaustion and pain, she began to sway from side to side, sweat dripping from her forehead onto the floor. She really didn't know what to do with herself, the pain was a tight band round her abdomen and her back felt as if was a knife in it. Her mother had told her how painful childbirth was and she'd seen, first hand, others going through it but she was surprised how much it hurt.
"O-okay, o-okay," she stuttered when the pain began to lesson. "Better, better," she rested her head against the cool sink rim. "That's better," she let out a deep sigh and struggled upright, reaching for a cloth to wipe her brow with. She swayed as she took some calming breaths before she dragged the cloth across her face and back of her neck. Knowing that she had a window of calm, she then made her way back into the bedroom and, with very shaky hands, she poured herself a glass of water.
She was just about to call for her mother when there was a soft knock at the door.
"Lilly? Can I come in? We need to talk."
She couldn't deal with Cara now. She just couldn't.
"Go away Cara," she replied softly as she inched down the bed before resting back on her pillows.
"Please Lilly; I need to explain things to you."
Lilly licked her dry lips and ran her fingers through her sweat soaked hair. "It's not a good time," she mumbled, exhaustion hitting her hard.
"Lilly?"
She began to drift as Cara knocked again. She was feeling completely drained and knew she needed to rest between contractions. Giving birth was difficult for the healthiest woman but she knew that, because of her condition, she was weak and needed to regain her strength while she could.
"I'm coming in."
"No..."
As the door clicked open, she struggled to open her eyes and tried to sit up straighter, ready to do battle with her sister.
"Cara, not now," she said, pulling her gown together as Cara entered the room. "I need to sleep," she complained and hoped her sister got the message.
"You look awful, Lilly." Cara was at her side in a flash, her hand immediately going to her forehead.
"I'm fine," Lilly huffed, batting the hand away. "I do not need your help," she snapped in irritation. The last thing she needed right now was Cara fussing over her.
"Don't be silly you're not well," Cara persisted. "I'm going to fetch ma..."
"Just leave me alone!" Lilly cried. "I do not want you here. You do not belong in my life anymore!"
"Lilly please..." Cara begged. "You do not understand what happened..."
"I understand perfectly!" Lilly struggled up straighter. "My husband found comfort in your arms and you allowed it."
"It wasn't like that..."
"Then tell me, what was it like because, you're right, I don't understand. I don't understand what I saw!" Lilly was shaking in rage, all thoughts of rest forgotten.
"I-it...I-it..." Cara spluttered, hanging her head in shame.
"Yes?" Lilly persisted sharply.
"S-something h-happened..."
"Yes I saw. You and my husband, in your bedroom, in your bed! How could you Cara? I'm your sister!"
"No-no y-you've g-got I-it a-all w-wrong."
"Then tell me! I want to know!" Lilly was breathing so heavily that the room was beginning to dim at the edges. She leaned her head back on her pillow and closed her eyes. "I cannot cope with it anymore, not now, I'm exhausted," she panted as she tried to control her world, knowing anymore arguing would just tip her over the edge and she wasn't strong enough to cope with that as well as giving birth . "I just cannot. Please just go away."
"Edward forced himself on me."
Cara's confession was so soft that Lilly barely heard her
"What?" She asked as she rubbed a shaky hand across her face. "What did you say?"
Cara looked up at her with tears streaming down her face. "Ben helped me. Edward forced himself on me, s-sexually. I-I d-did n-not k-know what to d-do. Ben t-took me to t-the r-ring. J-janet gave me some m-medication to p-prevent a p-pregnancy," she was opening sobbing now. "It m-made m-me sick and Ben w-was h-helping me."
Lilly sat; slack jawed in shock as her sister poured her heart out.
"Oh- God, Car, no..."
"He was so w-wonderful Lil. I b-begged him not to tell a-anyone. He p-promised. He p-promised. I am so sorry, so very sorry."
Lilly watched as Cara curled in on herself and began to cry. "Come here," she opened her arms and Cara willingly fell into her embrace. "Why didn't tell me before?" Lilly rocked her gently, grateful herself for her sisters support.
"Because I am so a-ashamed..."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, nothing. It was not your fault, understand, not your fault."
"I feel so dirty," Cara, continued to cry uncontrollably. "I s-said n-no b-but he hurt m-me s-so m-much."
"I'm so sorry..."
"It was not Ben's f-fault. I b-begged h-him n-not to t-tell a-anyone."
"I know, I know," Lilly's heart broke for her sister and she felt so awful for doubting Ben.
She just wanted to hold Cara and reassure her that everything was going to be all right but as she continued to rock, she felt the familiar cramping of her next contraction. "It's going to be just fine, Cara," she continued to sooth through gritted teeth. "I promise," she grunted and then couldn't help crying out when the pain became too much. She shifted weakly and tried to curl round the agony.
Cara immediately pulled out of her arms. "Lilly?" She sniffed and wiped away her tears. "God, Lilly, what's wrong?"
Lilly began writhing from side to side, struggling desperately against the agony. "T-the b-baby," she managed to stutter. "It h-hurts. T-the b-baby's c-coming," she groaned and turned her head into her pillow.
"I'll get ma."
Cara's urgent statement sounded a long way in the distance as Lilly continued to groan and writhe, the pain growing and growing.
She needed her mother so much, actually she needed Ben even more. He should be here, she needed him here.
Xxx
"I promised Cara I would not tell you..." Ben pleaded. "Where is he?" Sergi demanded. Ben watched as Sergi sat gripping the arms of his chair, his knuckles turning white with the pressure.
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know," he stated as Sergi pushed out of the chair and crossed to the balcony. "My priority was Cara. She was in bad shape. I had to take care of her."
Ben had capitulated and told his father in law the truth after Sergi became upset and begged him to return to Lilly. He found he had no reply when Sergi had convinced him that nothing could be so bad that it came between husband and wife at this important time. Ben had immediately felt guilty. Lilly was the most important thing in this and any other world. Cara's problem was exactly that, her problem. Of course, he could support her, sympathise with her but he was too close to her to be professional enough to be her Platon. It was not fair to any of them, most of all to Lilly, she was the innocent party in all this and Ben figured that Sergi was more than capable of dealing with Cara and Edward. He was now beginning to question his judgement though. Sergi had withdrawn at the news. His speech was clipped, measured and calculating and Ben was worried about what was going to happen next.
He stood and joined his father in law on the balcony. "You're not thinking of going after him are you?" He questioned softly. "Because I don't think revenge is the right path at the moment."
Sergi gripped the railings and turned his head. "So, what do you think is the right path, Benjamin?" He snapped harshly. "He abused my daughter! He ruined her! What do you suggest I do, tell me that?"
"She is not ruined," Ben kept the tone of his voice calm. "Of course what he did was wrong, very wrong, but seeking revenge is not the way, I assure you."
Sergi pushed away from the railing. "I disagree," he shrugged. "I totally disagree. He should know what he's done, how he's hurt her. My daughter has had her innocence taken from her by force, not by love, and that is not acceptable. He needs to pay for what he has done."
"Going over there and confronting him is not the right way to handle this. There are other ways."
"Such as?" Sergi began to pace. "You tell me that, young Benjamin because this is the way we deal with wrongs on Mandana."
"Are you saying that the only way of keeping law and order on this planet is through violence?" Ben threw his hands in the air in despair. "Because you're wrong, there are other ways," he repeated.
"Such as?" Sergi shrugged as he too repeated his statement. He was growing increasingly irritated by Ben's attitude. "What do you do on Earth, tell me that?"
"We talk..."
"Talk?"
"Yes, we have a judge, someone impartial who looks at all the facts before handing out a punishment. It is fair to all concerned."
"Well, it is not fair to my daughter. He took her, without her consent, and violated her. His actions are beyond reproach and his family needs to understand what sort of man they have raised." He turned abruptly and grabbed his coat. "This is the way we do things on this planet," he stated as he pushed past Ben. "I will shame him and have my revenge."
Ben sighed heavily and then grabbed his own coat. "If you're going to do this, then I'll come with you," he groaned in defeat and turned to follow Sergi out of the room. He paused when he reached Niall, who was observing everything from the bed, snagged his arm and pulled him to the side.
"You'd best go tell Cara what's happened. She needs to prepare herself for her father's return," he advised. "Tell her not to worry, it'll be okay," he added and hurried after his father in law.
Law and order was something else that needed examination on Mandana.
Xxx
"Lilly. Listen to me. You have to try and control your breathing."
Lilly was literally rolling on the bed in agony with her mother at her side trying desperately to calm her. She'd been in strong labour for nearly two hours now and was struggling to cope. Her contractions were coming hard and fast and Hanah was worried about how she was reacting to the pain. She dipped her cloth into the water again and began to dab Lilly's face, an action that was proving to be difficult as Lilly tossed her head from side to side.
"Honey, you have to try and calm down," she urged and felt Lilly grab her hand and grip it so hard that it was painful.
"It h-hurts so m-much," she cried, her back arching in pain.
"I know, I know," Hanah soothed. "Just try and breathe with me," she urged. "In and out, in and out." She watched as Lilly stared at her, her eyes fixed on the far side of the room in concentration.
"That's it," Hanah praised when Lilly started to pant in time with her. "In and out, in and out. You're doing great," she mopped Lilly's brow, happy to note that she was beginning to relax slightly as the contractions decreased. She rested her hand on Lilly's stomach and felt it softening and when Lilly sighed and relaxed, she sat back with her own sigh of relief and turned to Cara
"Could you fetch me some fresh water and some towels?" She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears. "We need to be ready for the next one," she watched as Cara immediately sprang off the bed and hurried to the bathroom.
"Okay, Lilly," she gave her eldest daughter her full attention. "How are you doing?" She asked as she returned to her task.
Lilly lay boneless on her back, her chest heaving in exertion. "I c-can't do t-this ma," she stuttered.
Hanah crawled onto the bed, rested her back against the headboard and gently eased her daughter into her arms. She glanced up and smiled at Cara when she placed the bowl of water at her side and accepted the cloth that Cara had soaked. "You are doing amazingly, isn't she, Cara" She praised as she mopped Lilly's brow again.
"You really are," Cara agreed and took Lilly's limp hand in hers. She tenderly kissed her palm and then reached and brushed the hair off of her forehead. "You are so strong Lilly," she sighed. "And you are going to be such a wonderful mother."
Lilly blinked slowly as her breathing returned to normal. She felt so weak but grateful for her mother and sister's support. "I'm so tired Car," she sighed.
"I know," Cara soothed, giving her hand a squeezed.
With great effort, Lilly turned her head so she could look up at her mother. "How much longer, ma," she asked, a single tear slowly falling down her cheek.
"When the baby is ready, it will appear," Hanah smiled softy. "These things take time, my love."
"I don't think I can do it. I'm so tired." Lilly's head flopped to the side and she closed her eyes. "I want Ben," she sighed. "I can't do it without him, I need him." She lay in her mother's arms and silently wept.
Hanah gently rocked her. "You will be just fine, I promise," she assured. "Just rest and regain your strength."
Cara tucked Lilly's hand under the covers. "Should I fetch Ben?" She asked as she watched Lilly succumb to her exhaustion.
"I think that would be a good idea," Hanah nodded in agreement. "She is going to need his strength to deliver this child," she admitted with regret. She wanted Lilly to enjoy an easy birth; her pregnancy had been so awful. Didn't she deserve a break?
Cara stood, leaned over and gently kissed the top of Lilly's head before giving her mother's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I shall be as quick as I can, ma," she smiled sadly.
"Bless you," Hanah returned the smile. "We will be fine, won't we Lilly?"
Lilly's response to the question was a slow toss of her head and a mumble. Hanah tightened her hold as Cara ran out of the room.
"Hang in there, Lilly," she soothed. "You are doing just fine and it will all be over soon. Soon you will have your child in your arms and your life will be complete, I promise."
She sat back with Lilly peacefully lying in her arms until she felt her suddenly tense and let out a long pain filled groan. She placed her hand on her daughter's stomach and felt it begin to contract again.
"Okay, Lilly. I've got you. Here we go again. You can do this."
Xxx
"Sergi, please, you've got to calm down."
Sergi had the horse practically galloping down the lane as they sped to Edward's home.
"You will not be able to resolve the situation if you go in there like this." Ben gripped the sides of the buggy as they turned a sharp bend practically on two wheels.
"How do you suggest I go in there then, Benjamin?" Sergi yelled. "Edward has to understand t he severity of his actions!"
Ben sighed, then grabbed at one of the reigns and succeeded in slowing the horse down slightly. He ignored the glance of anger his father in law shot him. "You have to control your temper," he advised softly, feeling happier now that their pace had slowed to a leisurely trot. He turned to face Sergi. "If you allow your temper to get the best of you," he continued as he placed what he hoped was a reassuring hand on Sergi's knee. "...Edward will have won."
"How do you come to that conclusion?" Sergi sat back in his seat and allowed the horse to slow to a walk.
"Well, I think that Edward thrives on being in control," Ben began to explain, "and, if you go there out of control he'll think he has the upper hand."
"But he cannot get away with what he has done."
"I know that and he won't, I promise."
"He has hurt my family. No one gets away with hurting my family."
"I know," Ben agreed, nodding slowly, "but we have to find another way of punishment other than resorting to violence."
"There is no other way," Sergi shrugged. "That is how disagreements are dealt with on Mandana."
"That is not the right way. We need to find a peaceful way, one where no one gets hurt."
"I'm listening," Sergi turned his head and nodded curtly.
"Let me do the talking..." Ben paused when Sergi began to disagree. "You are too close to the situation, Sergi. Let me put my 'Platon' hat on. We are trained to be impartial. Let me find out Edward's side of the story."
"Well, we know what his side will be," Sergi huffed. "He forced my daughter."
"Please Sergi, let's at least try and do it my way. There are always two sides to everything. If we're not happy with his explanation then we'll reconsider our action."
Ben waited anxiously for Sergi's reaction. Mandana was a very different place from Earth, families lived in peace, doors were left unlocked and people helped people, they were not equipped to handle such gross misconduct.
"Okay. We'll give your way a try," Sergi finally capitulated, "but if I am not satisfied that justice is done, we will revert to the Mandana ways of old."
Ben sighed in relief and smiled. "Thank you," he gave his father in law's knee a quick squeeze. "I'm sure everything will turn out just fine."
"We will see," Sergi clicked his horse on again and Ben watched the countryside flash by as he collected his thoughts. He was going to need all his wits about him.
Xxx
Greta Quinn was under strict orders from his wife. He was to deliver some homemade potato soup to Lilly and stay to keep her company for a while. Greta's wife, Mari was still recovering from a mild stroke and was too frail to travel the distance to Gowton. She felt very out of touch with all her friends, especially since Lilly was forced to rest up during her pregnancy. The only way for her to keep tabs on the young Platon was through her husband and she made sure that he visited the Ashton's and the hospital as much as he could.
So, here Greta was, broth and rolls in a basket, rolling up the lane leading to the Tanger dwelling. He missed Lilly greatly. She had been his protégé for many years, working closely under his wing as she completed her Platon training. He was immensely proud of her and her husband. The progress Mandana had achieved in the medical field was due to the Ashton's hard work and dedication. Illnesses were now treated with positive outcomes whereas, before, many people died. The small population of Tanger province would be forever grateful for the Aston's and Earth's, perseverance.
He was really looking forward to spending some quality time with Lilly. She was a breath of fresh air to him and her friendship meant everything.
Clicking his horse on, he smiled to himself. It was a beautiful warm spring day and he had the afternoon ahead of him to converse with the special young lady.
