Chapter 9

Ray could feel that Ben was awake by the restless twitches that ran through his body.

Rubbing his face in Ben's hair, Ray asked, "Ben, what's the matter?"

Sighing deeply, Ben answered, "Nothing Ray. Everything is fine."

Pulling back so he could look Ben in the eyes, Ray said "Uh-uh, Ben, I know something is up. Is it taking Caroline to see the Vecchio's? Is that what is bothering you?"

Shaking his head and kissing Ray lightly, Ben replied, "You know me so well, don't you? I guess I am a trifle nervous about it, yes."

As Ray rubbed soothing patterns on Ben's back, he spoke softly. "You've nothing to be nervous about, Ben. Everything will be fine. Trust me."

Raising an eyebrow, Ben answered, "Ray, you have met the Vecchio's, haven't you?"

Laughing at that, Ray nodded. "Yes, yes I have. Just think of it like this. Ma Vecchio is like the mamma bear, all motherly and always looking after her cubs. Frannie is like the cute kid sister who is always shaking her stuff to get the boy bears to notice her. And Vecchio is the stylish bear, head of the family, always ready to protect his family at all costs. Then there is Stella, she would be Goldilocks who came into the family in a big way and became the stylish bear's wife. So you see it will be fine. You can count on it, Ben."

Ben was now giggling – yes, giggling! – into Ray's shoulder, "Ray, Ray, Ray. All I'm going to see from now on when I go to the Vecchio's will be bears. Thank you kindly."

Kissing the top of Ben's head, Ray couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, but are you still nervous or did the Ray Kowalski way of looking at things take those nerves away?"

Still giggling, Ben placed his own kiss on Ray's shoulder. "Nerves are definitely gone. I think the Ray Kowalski way of looking at things are some of the finest in the world."

Ray idly rubbed his fingers through Ben's hair. "I tell you what. You stay in bed, OK? I'll send Caroline and Dief in to you and I'll make us all breakfast in bed. What do you say?"

Ben leaned in and kissed Ray soundly. "I think that is a fine idea, Ray, and it's another one of those Ray Kowalski way of looking at things that I love so much."

Playfully slapping Ben's shoulder as he got out of bed, Ray laughed. "Freak! But thank god I love you."

"Love you too, Ray," Ben said with the brightest smile of the morning.

Heading down to the kitchen, Ray found himself singing a happy tune in his head. Ray found that he seemed to be doing more of that since he met Benton Fraser.

Ray turned around three steps down the stairs and made his way into Caroline's room just as she was waking up.

With a wide-eyed smile she greeted him, raising her arms for a good morning hug. "Morning, Daddy Ray."

Returning her hug and giving a kiss on her sleep-wrinkled cheek, Ray said, "Morning, kiddo. Did you sleep well?"

Sitting up and hugging her rabbit, Caroline said, "Yep, I did, thank you. Did you and Daddy Ben sleep good?"

"We sure did. I tell you what, why don't you and Dief hop into Ben's room and I'll make us all breakfast in bed. Does that sound good?" Ray asked, while ruffling her hair, making her giggle just like Ben had done earlier.

Putting on her dressing gown, Caroline thought it was a great idea. She led Dief into the bedroom where Ben was waiting for them all to enjoy Ray's treat of breakfast in bed.

To say a person's face lights up when they see someone that they love, you should see Ben's when he sees Caroline. It should be bottled and sold as a cure. It is just the most amazing thing to witness and Ray felt blessed to be able to share in those looks.

Whistling as he cooked the breakfast, Ray did wonder what the day had in store. The Vecchio's, at the best of times, could be overwhelming. He just hoped that Caroline would be OK with them. He also prayed that Ray Vecchio would take the news of Caroline well, for Ben's sake. Taking the breakfast upstairs for the waiting crew, he knew there was an adventure ahead of them today.