6:00 AM
December 25, 2024
Christmas Day
Boykevich Manor.

Ben get's up early and begins preparing breakfast for the entire family. He wasn't lying to Chloe when he said he could cook, his best meals wore pancakes and omlette's which was Sarah's favorite. She loved the blue berry pancakes the best because she could pick them herself since they had several blue berry bushes surrounded their ranch. Ben found a small bag of blueberry's in the fridge, and used the blueberry pancake mix in the pantry to begin. He made sure to clean as he worked as he did back home to save time. One of the lesson's a single father has to learn is you have to do three things at once or nothing get's done. He then took an entire box of eggs and began making the omlette's with goat cheese he found in the fridge. He realized that Camille had bought this to make Leo eat healthy. When he chopped peppers, onions, and added a few olives to one because that was what Karen loved. He then put the food on a platter on the oven to stay warm. He then went back to his old room, and quietly looked at Sarah, who was still sleeping thanks to the long journey she had, and the big night of seeing him after so long, and meeting her Aunt Chloe, and also her ...grandparents.

Ben stood and thought wondering what meeting Leo last night could change for Sarah, but he hoped it would not be much. He meant what he told Leo he had no intention of letting Leo into his life after all that happened, he wouldn't let what happened to him repeat with her. But that was something he would have to save for later, today was Christmas, and today was about giving Sarah a good Christmas even if it were here in California. He knew Sarah would be disappointed not having the ability to build a snowman like they did in Montana, but he decided last night he would do something else. He went into his old closet and opened a small box that he had hoped no one had disturbed and found an item he hadn't seen in years.

Ben: Hello, old friend. (pulled Mr. Bear from the thick plastic bag he placed it in ten years ago, to never be seen or used again. He never imagined after Mercey he would have children again, now this item was needed again.)

Sarah: Daddy ... (groggy from sleep)

Ben: Morning Baby...

Sarah: It's Christmas!

Ben: I know, and have you been a good girl?

Sarah: Yes,...(Eager hoping to have something, worried Santa had left all of her presents in Montana)

Ben: Well then, I guess this must be for you. (gives her Mr. Bear)

Sarah: He's perfect Daddy.

Ben: Now, this is a special friend.

Sara: Really?

Ben: Yes, really. His name is Mr. Bear and he is very old, and back when daddy was your age, even younger he used to be mine. My mother gave him to me and said he would be my friend until I didn't need him. But Daddy got older, and one day Mr. Bear told me that I was too old to play with him. So he told me that he wanted to sleep, but he would always be there to listen when I needed him. He also said that one day when I had my own kids he would be ready to play again. I was going to give him to your sister, but... I never got to. Now, I'm giving him to you. He is a gift from me, your grandmother, and your sister.

Sara: Thank you Daddy...(hugs her father tightly for the lovely gift)

Ben: Now let's go down stairs, I'm sure Santa left you some presents as well. (having went to the rental car, and his suite and gotten the gifts he, and his family had for her earlier)

Sara: Okay. (finds her Pony Slippers jumps into Ben's arms and they both go down stairs as everyone else is waking and leaving their rooms)

Karen: Morning you two, I can smell breakfast already. You did remember my omlette Ben?

Ben: I didn't forget you're the only one who loves black olives. I didn't know what anyone else liked, so I just left some mixing if that's okay.

Chloe: Sure, I'm so hungry I can eat anything. Even this little thing right here. (tickles Sarah and pretends to bite her tummy, who laughs as Chloe takes her in her arms and takes her down to the tree.)

Camille: Merry Christmas Ben. Did you sleep well.

Ben: Merry Christmas Camille, I slept fine how about you?

Camille: I almost thought everything that happened last night was a dream, and now I'm awake and here you and your family are. I still think I'm dreaming

Ben: You're not dreaming Camille, it's real. I've made breakfast you should go down before Chloe, and Sarah get to it. Also to the presents, I have a feeling Sarah will go after them first.

Camille: I'll do that. (heads downstairs)

Leo: Good morning. (has a sad expression still reeling from what Ben told him last night)

Ben: Morning, and if it's good, I would hope you'd act like it, and pretend to look happy. It is Christmas.

Leo: (takes on a serious look) How can I look happy after what you said to me last night.

Ben: I don't know, and I don't care. What I do care about is it's Christmas, and I'm spending it with my daughter. This isn't our home, and I want it to still be a happy memory for her even if it isn't real. So even if you aren't happy, fake it. You're good at it. You faked loving my mother for more than twenty years, and faked giving a damn about me.

Leo: Ben, I'm going to say this and that will be the end of it. I loved your mother. She was and in some ways still is the love of my life. You may not believe me, but she meant more to me than you will ever know. You may not hate me, or love me, or even think I didn't want you as a son, but never ever for even a second think that I didn't love you and your mom. Being with the two of you was the happiest I have ever been, since Camille and Chloe came into our lives. Losing her was the greatest pain I ever suffered next to the day Mercey died, and the day I had to report you to the police as a missing person, and every day after that. I never used her, or her family for money. We were family, yes we had our problems. But we did love each other deeply, you may not want to accept that. But once upon a time we were a happy loving family. So you can continue to have this animosity toward me, and think that it was a lie. but don't have it toward my relationship with her. That is something I will not tolerate, no matter what is going on between us.

Ben: Fine, I'll respect that. Now, can you put on a show and make merry for Sarah.

Leo: I am merry Ben. Despite what's happening if this is the first and ... last Christmas I have with her, I will make the best of it. I just wish I could have a gift for her.

Ben: (begins to feel remorse) Fine. One gift. Just one, and nothing expensive. I don't want her to think that she has an entitlement.

Leo: Is that what you thought when I would buy expensive gifts for you.

Ben: Growing up did I ever act as if I didn't appreciate everything I was given. No, I didn't but that is what my so called friends and everyone else thought. It's why they are like the way they are. Its why they and their children spend so much time around you because they want the expensive gifts, trips, and money you give them. Don't pretend like you never noticed it, you gave them apartments, cars, money, an entitlements all the time. Tell me did you ever even wonder why I really stopped being friends with them, but they never stopped being around you after I left. They didn't care about whether or not I was here or not, or even if I was alive or dead. What they cared about was what else they could get from you.

Leo: (looked at Ben, and for once he began to realize Ben's point of view from the situation after he left he still doted money and gifts to all of Ben's former friends) I did. I just never thought that they were like that.

Ben: Really because I did, and they were supposed to be my friends not yours. Or is it you really wanted them to be yours. I guess that's it. You wanted to relive your life vicariously through me, only I disappointed you. But, I guess Ricky was the perfect candidate. He was better looking, and did what ever you said.

Leo: Ben, I never tried to do that. I just wanted you to enjoy your life, and break out of your shell.

Ben: Well I did, now you see the shell was safer. We should get down stairs. (heads downstairs leaving Leo's feelings toward Amy, Adrian, Ricky, Omar, Henry, and Alice doubtful).

AT THE UNDERWOOD HOME

When Amy and Ricky got home he went into the spare bedroom, and tried to get to sleep but Amy had deliberately put the itchy sheets on the bed to make him uncomfortable. He tossed and turned and was itchy all night. She tried to sleep peacefully smiling knowing she had caused Ricky such discomfort it was the least he deserved for sleeping with Tamara. But, the knowledge of learning about Ben's new life, and the beautiful wife, and daughter he had disrupted her dreams. She never thought Ben would ever get over her, and even though she knew it was wrong she was happy about believing he was miserable without her.

After sleeping with Adrian, and trying to make a life with her angered her more than she ever thought. He made a promise to make his life with her, and when he broke that promise she had to admit deep down she wanted him to suffer for it. She knew it was wrong to think like that, but the day Ben's daughter died she thought it was what they deserved for hurting she and Ricky. When their marriage fell apart and she and Ricky were together she was happy, but then reality set in and she realized she wasn't ready to get married. When she went to New York and slept with Ben, she was happy, but guilty. She thought she also didn't deserve this happiness when she had a child at home that Ricky was caring for. So she went back, and left Ben distraught and broken. She knew she did a very bad thing by doing that, and when Ben disappeared she hoped he was dead, for fear it would come back to bite her in the ass for what she had done to him.

But now that he was back it was worse than anything Karma could ever do. He could easily destroy their family, and everyone else's, including Adrian and Omar. She knew without a doubt that Adrian still had feelings for Ben. She also knew that Omar and Adrian were not as happy as some would think from the way Adrian would talk, and look. She actually felt bad for Adrian when she saw the look on her face when she saw Ben walk into the church with his family. It was if all hope was wiped from her. At the same time she wondered why? It wasn't as if she and Ben still had a chance, especially with Omar and she now having another child. She had her chance with Ben, and just like her she had thrown it away. So Adrian should be happy, at least Omar was faithful to her, unlike Ricky was to her. Besides Ben was not the man he was back then, and even if he was more attractive he'd become a jerk.

Ricky: Morning everyone, I see you two couldn't wait until we got up, huh. (walking into the living room, and seeing John, and Jaime tearing away at the gifts under the tree.

John: Sorry Dad mom, said we could.

Amy: I wanted to stop them but Jaime had already gotten started. But, I took a video of everything.

Ricky: That's alright I needed the extra few minutes.

Amy: Rough Night?

Ricky: Yeah, next time I think we should be a little less thrifty with the mattress (stretching his back, then looked at Amy wondering if there would be a next time)

Amy: Hey you're the one who bought it. (not wanting to bring up the state of their marriage in front of the boys)

John: THANKS MOM & DAD (lifting a box with the word Z-SYSTEM by APPLE)

Ricky: You're welcome buddy, now hopefully you won't be bothering your friends about their game systems from now on.

Amy: Remember only 3 hours of game-play a day after homework. (sipping a cup of coffee)

John: 3 Hours, Mom come on.

Ricky: You heard her bud. After what you've been up too, you're lucky it's not one hour.

John: Okay, are we still going to Granpa Leo's. (eager to find out if Leo got him something else like a new hover board)

Ricky: I don't know bud. I think he might not do it, considering his own family is here for Christmas.

John: It's not fair why does Ben Boy is a bitch have to ruin everything

Ricky: JOHN! What did you just say.

John: Dad, I...

Amy: John go to your room.

John: But...

Ricky: Now... (looking angrily at him)

John: Fine.. (gets up taking his game with him)

Ricky: Leave the game.

John: Fine. (drops the game console and heads upstairs angrily)

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Amy: That must be my parents.

George: Merry Christmas everyone. (comes in followed by Kathleen, Anne, Shakur, Margaret, and Ethan)

Ethan: Where's John I got him ULTIMATE DEATH MATCH V for his Z console, and I'm looking to kick his butt.

Ricky: He's upstairs on time out for his rude behavior.

George: Punished on Christmas, what did the kid do?

Ricky: He said a very rude comment about Ben.

Anne: Why would John do that, I don't think Ben has even spoken to him once since he's been back has he.

Amy: No, John just seems to think that Ben is to blame for the problems Ricky and I are having. Since they seemed to coincide in the same time line of him returning.

Ashley: Well maybe he wouldn't be so rude if he had actually known about Ben instead of being in the dark about him.

Ricky: We didn't mean to blank Ben out Ashley, what we did was for our family.

Anne: Still Ricky it was wrong to keep what really happened from John for so long. For him to have animosity toward Ben after all he did is just wrong.

George: Hold on Anne, I think you're being too hard on them. I mean if they had told John everything it would have made things harder on them than things already are.

Kathleen: Still George it is was wrong for them to just erase Ben from John's life especially since he was such an intricate part of it.

Ricky: Will you all stop acting like that Ben Boykevich is John's biological father. Sure he helped Amy, but I'm his real father. I'm the reason why John is here, not Ben.

Ashley: Actually you're the reason why John was conceived, but John existing, and being alive instead of in a tube labelled medical waste is because of Ben. Right Amy.

Amy: (is torn about what to say) Whether you're right or not Ashley in the end it was my decision to keep John that day, not Ben's. He may have supported me in making the decision, but Ricky just wasn't ready.

Ashley: Yeah, funny how everyone continues to pussy foot around your husband, and his wishy-washy way of being a man.

Ricky: I am a man Ashley, more of a man than Ben.

Ashley: Really, so him being fifteen and being there for Amy while she was pregnant and helping bring your son into the world didn't make him a man. Or being with Adrian and his own child, and still being there for Adrian after they lost their child didn't make him a man. But I guess that's why he left with nothing not even his own last name, made a life for himself, and started his own family, all without any help from his family, or it's money, because he wasn't a man like you. While you have had the help of your family, our family, and his with their money, and years later he still has to come back here and clean up your mess. So what is it that makes you more of a man than him?

Ricky: I'm going to go get showered and let you guys open your gifts. (leaves angry at Ashley for making him look so pathetic)

Ashley: Oh don't leave on my account I have to get ready for the party tonight.

George: We're still having that? I thought Leo would have cancelled in order to be with his own family this year.

Ethan: No, it's still on Chloe just texted me and Ash to let us know it's still on.

Anne: Well maybe we shouldn't go, I mean I don't want to cause any hostility between Leo and Ben with us being there.

Amy: How would we cause a scene mom? We've been going to Leo's house for Christmas for years. If Ben doesn't like us being there then tough. It's Leo's house not his.

Kathleen: Still Amy it was Ben's home too, and we should still be respectful.

Amy: If you guys don't want to go then fine, but my family and I are. We are not gonna let Ben Boy... Helen, bully us out of our family tradition. Right Jamie. (picks up her little boy)

Jaime: Right.

Ashley: Funny I don't think Ben is the one who's the bully. I'll just leave my gifts and go, by everyone see you at the party. See you there too Ethan...

Ethan: See ya Ash. (hoping she just didn't give away his surprise)

Margaret: Is something going on.

Ethan: No, why do you ask.

Margaret: Just the way Ashley spoke to you as if she knows something we don't.

Ethan: I have no idea...(secretly smiling that he was going to make all their families one, but worried would that be a good thing)

HOME OF OMAR & ADRIAN SHERMAN

Omar was a bit angry at Adrian for the way she looked at Ben at church, and for wanting to speak with him when he left. She assured him that all she was, was curious and wanted to meet the new Mrs. Boykevich or Helen. She didn't mean to make him upset, so she slept with him that night to make it up to him, and even performed oral. However she had long since lost her own sexual excitement with Omar a while ago. They had good sex, but in recent years it had become predictable and boring to her. She once thought that Omar was the whole package even if Ben was an inch larger, and a centimeter wider in diameter. But unlike Ben, Omar knew what to do with his equipment. However after four years of being together, and two years of being married Adrian learned that Omar didn't know as much as she thought he did, and soon she was the one keeping their sex life active. She was usually the one to engage it, and he just followed suit, he also seemed to be too dominating, and seldom allowed her to be on top. But, since he was her husband, and she always did have a submissive side she allowed it. But for some reason it was no longer enough.

Adrian: Merry Christmas Baby. (wakes up her son who is happy to be up)

Toni: Mommy it's Christmas.

Adrian: Yeah, let's go get Daddy and we can start opening gifts.

Toni: Okay.

Omar: (snoring) HEY guys. Is it time for gifts.

Adrian: Yes it is. (takes his hand and guides him downstairs to the living room where her family and his have been waiting)

All of Omar's family came to California that night and arrived with their gifts as tradition to open them in his home. The kids would go first and then the rest of the family would exchange gifts with one another. Cindy and Reuben were happy to be spending these days with Omar and his family since it was one of the rare times that they all could spend together.

Mrs. Sherman: So how was the Christmas pageant last night you two.

Omar: It was an eye opener.

Mrs. Sherman: Was the choir that good?

Omar: I don't know about the choir, but Adrian's ex-husbands wife can sure sing.

Mrs. Sherman: (in shock) Wife! He re-married.

Omar: Yeah, to a hot looking red head. They even have a kid that looks like her.

Adrian: Well, maybe the hair, but she looks more like his mom if you ask me.

Mr. Sherman: Really, I thought his mom died years ago.

Adrian: She did, but Ben kept a picture of her.

Reuben: Really, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of her in the mansion.

Adrian: Well, Ben said Leo took all of them and put them in storage, but Ben kept one of her on his desk. It was taken on her and Leo's 10'th wedding anniversary in Hawaii before Ben was born.

Cindy: She was able to go to Hawaii while pregnant?

Adrian: According to Ben that was the trip he was conceived.

Omar: Wait, you mean Ben was born 10 years after his parents were married?

Adrian: Yeah, Ben said his parents called him their miracle.

Mr. Sherman: Well let's stop talking about your ex-husband and get down to family are you guys going to stay or are you going to that Sausage Party...(laughing)

Adrian: I don't know with Ben and his family here I think we'll be staying.

Omar: I don't know why it's tradition, and I'm sure Toni wants to get his presents from Uncle Leo.

Adrian: I don't know Omar, I think its a little rude.

Omar: Adrian, we're going. I'm not going to let your ex-husband keep me from our family tradition, and that's final. (looks intently at her acknowledging to her he wanted no further argument)

Adrian: Fine, Omar. (giving in to him since that is what she usually did. This got an odd look between Cindy, and Reuben who both didn't like the way Omar sometimes seems to dominate or bully Adrian, but his own family saw nothing wrong since he had been this way with women for years.)

END OF PART I

Author's note: I know some will think that Omar is not that domineering over Adrian, but he was. You all just didn't pay attention to it, because you either didn't see it, didn't care, or were just happy she and Ben were threw and wanted them to be apart. Or to my benefactor's beliefs to naive to care. His character broke up with Adrian repeatedly in order to establish dominance by using Adrian's main weakness against her. Her dis-like of being alone. Something that you all knew and saw. He would break up with her and then get back with her, when ever he didn't get his way. It's how he was able to fast track their relationship before Ben and She were even divorced. But all you RAMY FANS cared about was Ben being alone and Ricky getting his life. Proof of that is in how none of you even cared about his last name. But to you it looked cute.