Chapter 21

Feeling torn between her need to stay and Ben's earlier request so there wouldn't be any hold ups Meg watched the start of the twins' meeting. Seeing them eyeballing each other across the table looking like a pair of angry bookends with only hot air between them she was glad the intercom was still off and they'd not actually attacked each other. Or the watchers felt the need to intervene and guessed that bode well for the rest of the meeting and Benjy might actually talk to his father. Seeing the boy seemed okay she knew she had to go, also she was not going to be long and reluctantly said. "Antonio, I'm going to see Tess, be back in moment." And was surprised how calm it came out considering how she was feeling.

Seeing Antonio's nod of acceptance and knowing he wouldn't turn round to talk her Meg silently left the room. Closing the door behind her, finding the corridor quiet with only the guard and a woman officer standing there chatting normally seemed to steady her a bit.

Seeing who it was the woman officer stopped talking and checked. "You want to see Mrs Tess Evans now."

That sent a ripple of shock through Meg; she's expected to hear Tess Marin not Evans and could only nod yes.

"Okay, It's not far. She's in one of the cells; the Judge thought that would be better than you having to wait for another interviewing room to be set up." The officer explained and then turned in the direction they needed to go not expecting Mrs Megan Evans to say much. She could see the woman was disturbed, hoping mad if she read it right; and there wasn't much you say without putting your foot in it or seem to be pushing for gossip. And they'd all be warned off inquisitiveness as well as passing on gossip by the Judge and no one was going to mess with those orders.

Meg was glad of the silence her mind was churning through everything and the scene between nephew and uncle just now was bringing her own memories and feelings for child into the mix of emotions. Their relationship had been on and off and she couldn't tell if that was bad stories on his part or his real feelings. She'd liked him, just couldn't cope with who she thought his parents were; now she knew they were Derek and Tess would that be a different stumbling block. Would she be able to see past the history and let Benjy be himself? Would he accept a third mother figure? They'd hit it off regarding Franklyn and Bear had even read him a story or two and with those fleeting memories felt her anger bubble again. Anger at Tess for bringing the boy into this sordid mess and felt a kick deep within her and had to slow to a stop and come out of her thoughts because they were there.

Opening the door to the corridor to the cells the officer knew child custody cases things could get loud and messy so decided she should warn this one and said quietly. "Mrs Evans I'll have to stay nearby. Things might get heated verbally or physically so don't get close to the bars and I will step in if needs be. Anything said will stay between the three of us unless I have to make a report to Judge. You've got five to ten minutes before the others are brought back from the different courts."

Heeding the warning Meg tried to get her thoughts and emotions stable and said. "Thank you, but I shouldn't be too long. She does know I'm looking after Benjy, but might not know its going to be a closed adoption regarding her. Also, her son doesn't want anything to do with her so Christmas visit and presents are out."

Knowing that would stir things up nicely the Officer said. "Right, I'll make sure we keep a close eye on her after you've gone. She's been very unsettled since she's been here, which is not surprising really."

Meg bit back the exclamation "good". She hated the idea of Tess sleeping soundly or taking it all in her stride, and walked on down the corridor as the Officer followed her for a little way calling out "Your Visitor!"

Taking a deep breath, Meg let it out slowly as she passed the first two cells trying not to let the bleakness of the place get to her. Saw Tess get off the bed in her cell and walk to the end of her space so there would only be the bars between them and couldn't help noting that orange certainly wasn't her colour. Also with her long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail it added an edge to her pretty features and was reminded of a china doll she once had, didn't like and broke it...

Stopping that thought she conceded the woman did look worn but doubted it was remorse more likely annoyance at the fact she was caught red-handed by Ben and the police. And knew she had to keep control of her bubbling anger, she just needed to tell her the truth and get back to Ben and Benjy who needed her...

oxoxo

Having been told to expect a visitor a littler earlier Tess had decided that when Benjy came with Judge she would explain forcefully she was not going to hand her son over to Meg and Ben. She was the boy's mother and would stay that way. Now seeing it was just witless Meg walking in alone and head held high, she called out angrily. "Where's my son. I want Benjy!" She'd send her scurrying back to the Judge just as she scurried back to her parents every time they said Booo about her so called love for smarmy Ben….

Though Tess's angry tone hit Meg's button, she said fairly calmly. "He didn't want to come and he doesn't want to see his Nanny ever again."

"I'm his mother!" Tess hit back angrily.

Stopping short of the cell and trying to contain the new deeper anger she was feeling Meg said. "You called yourself Nanny Tess. Never told him you were his mother so, what else do you expect? You took him from his daddy and you gave him away to Maria made her his mother. And that is why he doesn't want to see you ever again."

Seeing Meg wasn't going to cave in and hearing a protective anger in her voice. One that should not be there as Benjy was not her child, Tess tried to protect her position by instantly snapping back angrily. "You can't do this. He's my son. I love him! I was protecting him …"

Meg cut in angrily "That's a load of Bull! And you know it Tess!" then taking a breath she tried to control her deeper anger knowing it wouldn't get them anywhere and added. "Derek loves Benjy so it wasn't from him. Maria wasn't there so it wasn't from her. So, why bring him here into a hole you could never dig yourself and him out of."

Raw with defeat and angry that Meg seemed to have grown a backbone Tess glared and spat out. "So we could live as a family. So that stuck up hording twin would give Benjy what was rightly his. He never once gave me the respect ...

With angry disbelief Meg immediately butted in. "Respect! Tess. You lied the second you walked into Ocean Drive and kept on and still doing it Now!"

All you had to do was to say Benjy was Ben's nephew and you had lost Derek. We would have helped you. We thought Derek was dead having seen him fall down a cliff. Ben would have given you a million or more Yes some would have been tied the Benjy's future but the rest would have been yours. Think of it no strings, no hard question asked and an immediate return journey back to Seattle. You could have gone back crowed to Derek or even gone off with Benjy leaving Derek none the wiser and alone in Seattle.

But you didn't do that did you. Instead you lied through your teeth and carried on doing it for months and all the time Ben was in Seattle and Derek was sleeping with Maria on Ocean Drive. Why Tess! Why!"

Boiling with anger Tess waved her arms to make her point as she snapped back. "I didn't know Derek was here!"

Meg spat back. "BULL!" and remembering everything so clearly cooled down slightly and added. "Someone tipped Derek off and Ricardo has got Seattle phone records so we'll know who later today.

My guess is you, and you knew Derek was here. I've remembered the look on yours and Derek's face when Maria and I walked in on you two at Ocean Drive on the first full day the twin came back from Seattle. You were both very edgy. What did we do catch you two in or just starting a lovers tryst. So what was it a quick get dressed and silent prays we wouldn't connect the edginess with hoped for sex? Of course I don't when he told Maria the truth but he would have just as he would have had to tell you. He needed to protect his back from both of you and he knew it."

Tess gasped suddenly flashing back to that day and the terror Derek had put her through as well as that hot rush she'd felt afterwards.

Knowing she'd hit a mark and though they were only her assumptions, and she could caught up in a backlash, Meg couldn't resist carrying on; she so wanted to hurt this woman. "Yeah I worked it out Tess. We both know the twins can play each other, and apparently when Derek pinched Ben's memories he ran though his plans with Ben and Ben remembered them."

As Tess stood totally still while looking daggers at her, Meg added softly. "Yeah, I know Ben played Derek to you on the phone so you would leave Ocean Drive with the evidence and get Maria out the house and you fell for it. And we all know Derek can play Ben, and I know Derek likes to tease, so I'm guessing when you first saw him in Ocean Drive that day he played Ben with an edge, and went through your grubby little schemes so you'd think your game was up … you were toast. … What did he do threaten to ring the police and spill the beans, holding the phone watched you try and talk your way out of it. Bet he wasn't happy about his son being kidnapped and nearly killed for a few messily dollars."

Seeing Tess's wide eyed expression and hearing her short sharp gasp Meg knew her assumptions were right and hit out again. "Yeah, you were the only one who saw two men, and now I know what a scheming bitch you are, it's got your grubby fingerprints all over it. And it proves you don't care a cent about Benjy. Bet Derek took you to the wire till you thought you would die, angry words and hands round your neck and then what. Suddenly laughed and kissed you so through the shock you'd realise who it was … that it wasn't really an angry Ben, it was your husband.

Guess that was a heart stopping moment … then he would have told you Ben was tucked safely away and could be brought back at a moment's notice but not where he was … cold storage so as to speak. Derek's not that daft. Bet you were cross he turned up like that, you just wanted Ben gone … dead and Derek safe in Seattle so you could scheme and grab the money."

Feeling flattened by the onslaught and the fact Meg was soo close to the truth it was unnerving Tess couldn't stop a whimpered. "No"

Still on a roll Meg carried on coldly. "I'm betting you had something to do with Tim's death as well. He wasn't much I grant you but he'd started to love and trust you and you used him! Used a promise of a million dollars and then Derek came back and Tim was murdered! To keep his mouth shut or jealousy I don't know but I do know it was your fault Tess!"

Muttering "No, I didn't …. I didn't" Tess turned away from Meg trying to get the nightmare of Tim's murder out of her mind and then spun round and hoping to stop the onslaught yelled. "I tried to stop this from happening in the first place! Derek was running off with Maria and leaving us with nothing. She came round to talk and gloat so I drugged her but she escaped before I could finish her off and ran to him. He came crawling back with nothing but twisted daydreams. I couldn't let him mess up again or go to her or you. So I came to claim what was rightfully ours, he's my son…"

The timing of it all clicked into place and not willing to give anything to the woman Meg hit back cutting her off. "Yeah pity you failed to kill her. But if you hated her so much why play your dirty game and push your son onto her. All you had to do was to tell the Damn truth but you can't can you!

You and Maria are two of kind and you both failed in killing your mates and your schemes. Don't even think Derek will want you near him ever again. He knows the pills were for him and Benjy!

At Tess's even wider eyed expression Meg carried on. "Yeah you wanted the money and nothing else but you would have been chief suspect no matter what you did and Ricardo would have been after you. If not him then every other cop in the State they are like a big family who take care of their own. Even if you left with Benjy alive that guardianship paper was worthless. Did you really think the Torres family would let Benjy go to a penniless homeless Nanny who wanted to take him away from them? Especially as the fortune went with the boy and you couldn't then yell he was your son at them could you. So, you would have been left with nothing no son or money right where you are now. See you were down the drain the moment you twisted Nanny Tess and mummy Maria into the story. You should have stayed as family in Seattle."

Taking a breath and suppressing a shiver knowing Derek's plan was to have kidnapped her if Tess hadn't jumped the gun Meg changed tack asking quietly. "I know he won't want them but I should ask. Any Christmas presents for Benjy?"

Shaken by it all Tess knew it would look bad and tried to hit back saying "No. As I've said I didn't know Derek was here, so I was buying them today when Benjy would have been with Maria and Ben. But I can't get them can I! You wouldn't understand anything I try to tell you…"

Meg cut in wanting to wind things up. "No I would not believe anything you tell me Tess. But let me tell you what is going to happen from now on.

There will be a closed adoption regarding you and Benjy, and that will only be broken when Benjy is an adult and on his request. Not Yours. All those lies you've told and the fact you took Benjy from Seattle in first place will count against you. I doubt you care, but I will give Benjy the love and stability he needs throughout his childhood and he will get a father's love from Derek and Ben.

I really doubt Derek will stay married to you for long now you've shown your true colours, and he'll have guessed that baby bump was a ploy to keep him around after he'd no doubt muttered about Ben's fortune. Can't help wondering if you'd already started playing away from home and that DNA coming up with the twins' and not someone else's saved your bacon. You were edgy around that test; but really it didn't matter whether it showed a family's DNA rather than father's for Ben as Benjy would just become a child of rape and Maria more of a victim. Just another set of lies to go of on top of the ones you had already spun. Another blot against your name … was the other boyfriend Benjy's kidnapper or was it Ben's the jailer Tess."

Tess could only stare at her and gasp with horror.

With the bitterness of that idea in her mind Meg ignored Tess and carried on softly. "The twin you despise so much and helped to kidnap is setting up an account so you'll have a roof over your dirty lying head when you come out of prison. And if Derek divorces you, you can consider that your settlement, so don't ever think of crawling to Benjy with a sob story. It will not work he will know the truth. And I hope the Judge will put restrictions on either it or your movements so you never come near us again.

So consider yourself done with all the Evans family and Sunset Beach possibly this side of the States or even the country as a whole and start a new life elsewhere preferable an honest one for a change!"

As soon as she finished Meg turned away from the silent stunned woman and started to walk back to the entrance, but then it struck her so she stopped and turned back and added. "Don't even think of trying to claim you're pregnant it won't wash. The stakes were too high for another baby bump. Think of it Tess all your lies brought you to this." And turned back and started walking again.

Realising the whole truth Tess screamed at the retreating figure. "Bitch!! They are as bad as each other. You wait till he's tired of you …..

The rest of her triad was cut off by the woman officer shutting the door behind Meg and keeping her promise she stayed with the angry woman, knowing exactly which woman won that battle.

Walking back along the corridors Meg had to admit she felt a little better and knew what she'd felt in her anger. A mother's love for Benjy and she would work it out with boy and her soulmate. She also knew Derek was just as guilty as Tess, more so he'd murder friends because of his obsession, but he hadn't brought Benjy into this mess and she could never forgive Tess for doing that. She knew Derek hadn't taken Benjy out the mess either, had his own agenda and quickened her pace worrying what might have happened between the trio since she'd left them.

oxoxo

Relieved to see the guard was still outside so there'd been no call for help Meg opened the door and step inside the outer room. Taking a couple of seconds the readjust her thoughts and senses she couldn't help smiling at the scene. Thought Antonio looked rather cute standing there hugging Bear as he looked through the two-way mirror and realising the significance of it concentrated her gaze on where he was looking and walking to his side and said quietly. "I was expecting rubble, how long have they been like that?" The twins and nephew peacefully together, dad hugging son, uncle watching and talking a thing she never thought possible.

Antonio gave a gentle laugh and hugged Bear tighter and said. "Awhile, I think Ben's been doing most of the talking, Benjy ran in with the piece of paper. He wanted to take Bear but I reminded him no. They look so good …

Meg felt rush of love and lump in her throat and hearing the raw emotion in Antonio's words managed to asked softly. "How are you holding up this can't be easy for you."

Taking time to swallow or try to Antonio answered honestly. "I was till Benjy went in. This reminds me of our family before we lost Dad and my feelings after."

Putting a hand on Antonio's arm hoping it would help she let him carry on as they watched Derek hand over Benjy to Ben. "I know it's not the same I lost Dad when I was older and Derek's not dead … but I can't help it. The boy's family is being torn apart and was … is ours. I don't blame either Ben or Benjy it's just the pain and fact my sister betrayed us all and seeing this its all suddenly hit me again. …"

Knowing the emotional rollercoaster they were all riding Meg said gently. "I don't know what we would have done without you, but if you want to leave now before they come out you can. Ben and I will cope and understand you need time to yourself or with Carmen last night and especially this morning has been so hard on all of us."

Antonio shook his head, he felt raw emotionally but he knew he needed to see this through for Benjy, Ben's and his own sake and said softly. "I want to see Benjy adopted and somewhere safe before I leave you and Ben. Everyone is going to feel it after what they've been through in there and Benjy's still tending to bolt of in a matter of seconds." The he glanced at Meg and asked. "Is Tess in one piece?"

Meg smiled nodded and added. "Yes and I feel better for the rant at her and it's made me see I can be a mother to Benjy." Glancing back at the interviewing room she added. "They will be out in second or two. I know Derek's guilty of an awful lot but this is hitting him hard and I hope he'll see sense now."

Antonio sighed said softly "Don't bank on it Meg …." and stopped because the door from the interviewing room opened.

oxoxo

Ben and Benjy came into the room, brining the door closed behind him Ben took another couple of steps into the room then stopped and closed his eyes and swayed slightly. He was totally drained feeling his own emotions and his twins…

Feeling his hand released and his emotions swing in all directions Benjy was off like a rocket towards the only thing that would give him any kind of comfort now he knew couldn't have his Daddy.

Antonio just managed to sit in the chair to the side of him before the boy launched himself into Bear and onto his lap. Though slightly breathless by the thump of the boy Antonio silently enveloped him and Bear in a hug knowing with his own emotional turmoil the boy didn't need words. He needed silence to settle his feelings of finding his father and now losing him.

Seeing Ben's reaction Meg was at his side immediately, unable to think what to say she put her hand on his arm knowing full well if he collapsed she couldn't stop him, only could call for help and hoped knowing she was there would be enough.

Knowing the risks he'd run when opening their childhood connection Ben could feel Derek's pain mix with his own sadness of leaving his twin behind in jail and expected a thunderbolt of a headache as a kick back. Part of him knew the game wasn't over that Derek would have his say next time, but he hoped that his twin would leave a fine thread of a link between them. The one that always used to tell them they were not alone, the one Derek had gradually severed and he'd let it go all those years ago. And feeling a hand on his arm knew it was Meg, coming back from the space he'd drifted off to Ben looked at his soulmate and tucked her into a hug. Breathed in her scent and presences and gaining strength so he could carry on and said softly. "We need to move, Benjy doesn't to see the next stage. Did you see Tess?"

Meg could hear the raw emotion and tiredness in his voice and wondering how much more he could take and answered very quietly. "Yes, she understands it all, and I'll be all right Benjy I know that now. You don't want Benjy to see his father taken away?"

Hearing added strength in Meg's voice knowing doubts had been resolved Ben said softly. "No, I don't want him to see Derek eat two detectives alive."

Meg step back out of her hug as Ben had released her and looked at him with a smile he amazed her and saw a flicker of deeper sadness cross his face as he looked at Antonio.

Knowing Derek had just severed the link completely and feeling suddenly all alone again inside Ben realised that everything this morning had really taken a hard toll on Antonio and said. "I'm sorry for all this pain." then added. "Benjy we need to see the Judge so we can do what your father wanted and when you can see him next. Then we'll have some peace and quiet together."

Sorting out Bear and Benjy Antonio said. "It's not your fault; I'll go back to the Mission or stay with Carmen for awhile. But I would like to be there when you and Meg officially adopt Benjy."

As Benjy moved he said softly. "She won't want me, I told her bad stories."

Meg looked aghast and heard Ben's gentle. "He needs you."

She nodded and went straight over to Benjy who was now standing besides Antonio and still hugging a bit of Bear. Crouching down so she was on the same level as Benjy and getting his reluctant eye contact she immediately said gently. "I know about the bad stories, they are not your fault. And I want to look after you if you think we can be friends."

Benjy looked at her and said softly. "I liked you."

"Good, so we can work on that. And I want you to know you can talk to me about anything … bad stories or happy memories or any normal questions anytime."

Benjy nodded and let Antonio get up and with one last look at his Daddy which was difficult as adult bodies were getting in the way asked. "Will we still eat at the Shock Wave?"

Ben sighed that had slipped his mind, but he knew Benjy needed to know one thing in his life was a constant … and he knew that was eating as treat at the Shock Wave. Slipping his arm round Meg's shoulders and opening the door into the corridor with his free hand he said. "Yes we can and then we'll have some peace."

Antonio gave a quiet snort and added. "This is Sunset Beach Ben."

Ben glanced back at him and said softly with a hint of a tired chuckle. "Yeah forgot that." Then to the guard standing expectantly added seriously. "We are ready to see the Judge."

The guard flicked his radio and passed the message on and then said back to Ben. "He'll be ready for you when we get there. If you'll follow me please." And started off in the right direction glad they were still stand and talking.

As the corridor was empty and just about wide enough for them to walk and talk Ben with Meg on his far side walked beside Antonio and asked. "Antonio, would you be willing to act as Benjy's adopted Godparent rather than just an uncle?"

Never expecting anything like that and hearing a quiet "that's a brilliant idea" from Meg, Antonio felt a rush of strength overcoming his sad memories and feelings and immediately said. "I would be honoured, if Benjy would like it."

Grasping they were talking about him Benjy asked. "What's a godparent."

Not wanting to go into the deeper meaning of word Ben said. "Someone you can go to or talk to when you don't think you can talk or be with Meg and myself. He'll listen to you and help you, like he has this morning and you'll see him in happy times as well. Just means he's a bit closer than a friend and you've got the Mission to go and stay in if you feel you need to. Is that all right?"

Benjy didn't need to think about that and said. "Yes please." And sighed suddenly feeling very tired.

Hearing the sigh Antonio stopped and said gently. "You need a pick up."

Benjy nodded, Antonio smiled and added. "Guess my first duty as a godparent will be to carry you. Shall I give Bear to Ben?"

Benjy nodded but said. "Auntie Meg carry Bear." And accepted the offer of a lift and hugged Antonio tightly, needing that body warmth and feeling …

Ben couldn't help smiling at Meg as she started to walk beside him carrying Bear in a hug, they looked good together. And hoped this was the start of a link between the boy and her, also hoped it wasn't too far to the Judge's office or he would need a pick up as well….

oxoxox

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