Chapter 42

I was sitting in a chair shirtless with a hospital gown pulled down to my stomach. Jesse laid flat, pressed against my chest. Hope was still asleep, and Justice wasn't doing too good. He had fever and seemed to be having trouble breathing. I didn't want to tell Hope that. I actually didn't want to say anything more until I knew for sure they were both going to be alright.

Kevin picked up Harmione from school and was bringing her to the hospital. I was expecting her any minute now. Jesse cooed as he lay sleeping. I sighed and my chest moved Jesse up with it. I stroked his small bottom with my thumb and kissed the top of his head. I could see out the window from where I was sitting. The sun was still out, but despite how warm it looked, it was freezing cold out there. I studied cars as they drove by.

The door squeaked open and Harmione burst through the door with Kevin, Gwen, and Genesis behind her.

"Daddy!"

"Ssh...Har."

She quietly walked over to me.

"How was school?"

"Good, is this him, is this my baby brother?!"

"This is Jesse."

She squealed.

"Harmione." I scolded softly.

"Sorry..." She then made a soft squee sound.

"He's so little, and I like his name it's better than what I said, awww look at him Daddy!"

"I know."

Harmione stroked his head.

"He's soooo cute!"

I slowly stood up. The hospital gown fell futher down my body.

"Here Gwen...Harmione, I'll take you to see Justice."

"Yay!" She screamed. "You did name him Justice!"

"Ssh!"

"Sorry again."

Gwen took off her jacket and moved her tank top and bra strap down. Gently, she took Jesse from me and placed his head on her chest. The moment I handed him off to her, he started up a small motorboat of cries.

"Don't cry Jesse!" Harmione told him. "Me and Daddy will be right back!"

I smiled as I stood there shirtless in my jeans. I pulled the gown completely off and put on my shirt that had be draped on the back of the chair. Gwen calmed Jesse and took a seat where I was sitting.

"Oh Ben, you have to see this, put Gen down Kevin."

Kevin who had been holding Genesis placed her down on the floor, she was standing and he held her hands.

"Let her go honey." Gwen instructed him. "Gen, look at Ben...okay Ben get on your knees act like you want a hug."

I kneeled down and put my hands out.

"Genesis, come here sweetie, can I have a hug?"

Her smile grew. Her tongue stuck out and she had a bit of drool at the base of her lip.

"Go see Cousin Ben, Genesis." Gwen told her.

"Come here baby." I spoke out.

She giggled a little and began to toddle her way over to me. She went from a slow walk into a run and gave me the biggest hug in the world. I picked her up and tickled her stomach. She laughed and squealed.

"You can walk now, can't you baby girl, huh?" I teased her. She giggled more. I kissed her neck and nibbled her ear. She put her hand on my chin and pushed me away. I just nibbled her fingers and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

"You're getting so big." I put her down and she walked back over to Kevin. Harmione pulled at my hand.

"Can we go see Justice now please!?"

"Yeah...come on."

Upon taking her we weren't allowed in due to a fear of spreading an infection making Justice even worse, but we did see him through a window. By nightfall after everyone had gone; I heard that as Justice got better, Jesse got sicker. It was something about not being close to the other one. See, they moved Jesse from the room to keep him from catching anything from Justice, but doing so only increased his anxiety and his loneliness. It caused a strange reaction in Jesse. As he could no longer feel his brother there next to him, it made him feel emotionally sick; and threw him into physical sickness. He caught a fever. A high one. The doctors were doing all they could to help him.

In the meantime Hope was able to walk around again. She had two large scars from two very different operations on her abdomen. One was fairly new and she had to be careful and not lift anything for a while. So that included the babies. When she was finally discharged from the hospital it was Valentines Day.

The boys were being closely monitored at all times. We were expected to take them home a few weeks after Valentine's Day. Only if they were well enough and weighed enough.

Harmione and her friend Deanna were having a Valentine's Day party at school. They each made special card boxes to hold their Valentine's cards in. The thought of my little Harmione and boys really irritated my nerves. Seeing as it was on a Friday this year, Mom was going to pick them up to have a slumber party. This gave me the opportunity to do something special for Hope.

I didn't want to do just flowers or just chocolates. I didn't want to do a just some fancy dinner or go to a movie. We've had it pretty rough, but while it was all worth it, she deserves every happiness I can give her; for being the best wife, mother, and person on the face of the planet.

She was home on maternity and sick leave while she healed but I wanted to get her out of the house. She was sitting up in bed typing on her laptop when I entered.

"Hope?"

"Hm?"

I wore a black t-shirt with a white button up dress shirt over it and my white hoodie along with a pair of brown cargo pants and my green converse. I stood in the doorway leaning on the frame with a bouquet of white roses and purple lilacs and in my hand.

"Ben!" She breathed with a smile. "You look hot babe."

I walked over to her and gave her the flowers.

"Not as hot as you."

She looked at me as she gave the flowers a sniff.

"Seriously, I'm in pajamas and I haven't washed my hair in two days."

"Still look hot to me."

I pecked her cheek.

"But...it would be nice if you actually got up and showered...I want to take you somewhere."

She placed the flowers on the bed beside her, and removed the laptop from her lap.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise I can't tell you."

I stroked her arm.

"I'll wait downstairs beautiful."

She got ready as quickly as she could and came into the living room. She had on a black sweater, blue jeans, and black ankle boots. A pair of diamond studs gleamed on her ears, and a helix hoop piercing added a touch of flare. Her beautiful silver hair was curled, and was half up and half down.

"What?" She said with a smile. "It's to casual isn't it?"

"No it's great."

"I mean I don't know where we're going... And you didn't dress up too much...Maybe I should go change and I-"

"Hope...its perfect."

She smiled back at me.

"So...let's go for a drive."

It was still a bit cold out so I had previously warmed up the car for us. We drove for miles all over Bellwood, and then some. We listened to the radio and sang out loud like idiots at times. I pulled up and parked in front of the library.

"The library?" She questioned.

I just smiled. She was so confused. Good.

I opened her door and took her by the hand. She grinned as I helped her out of the car.

"The library is the surprise?"

"No."

I took a cloth out of my jacket pocket and blindfolded her.

"Ben..."

"It's okay...can you see anything?"

"No...what are you doing?!"

I waved my hand in front of her face.

"Did you see that?"

"No Ben, I can't see a thing!"

I smirked and laughed a bit.

"Why are you laughing?!"

"It's nothing." I spat out through my stifled cackle. I cleared my throat and stood behind her. I then grabbed her around the waist. She screamed and we both laughed.

"It's me you weirdo!" I shouted.

She laughed even more. It warmed my soul to hear.

"I'm not the one who blindfolded my wife!" She shouted back.

"Okay...okay...but you have to walk forward and once we're there I'll take the blindfold off."

I slowly took her hands.

"You're gonna make me run into a tree or something!"

"No."

She began to walk forward and let out a whimper as she touched the handicap sign in the parking lot.

"You're gonna push me into something!"

I choked out another laugh.

"No. Angel I swear I'm not...Hope walk forward."

She took a few more steps toward the library. Really my surprise was behind the library in the park. We made our way around the library. It was a vast open space. Therefore there was no longer anything in arm's reach to grab onto.

"Are you ready for your surprise?" I whispered.

"Yes!" She shouted. "Take this stupid blindfold off me!"

"Okay..."

I slowly took off her blindfold and pulled it away from her face. She inhaled deeply and stood completely still. I put the blindfold in my pocket.

"Oh...Ben." She exhaled softly. I saw a lining of tears in her eyes.

"Do you love it?"

She placed her hand to her mouth and only nodded. I hugged her from behind and kissed the side of her head.

In front of us was one of the park's pavilions decorated with twinkling lights and candles. Underneath on the picnic table was a picnic dinner and wine glasses. Close to the pavilion an assortment of extension cords and cables running to the library for music. A selection of songs that reminds me of her, and of course ours.

Not only did I set this up for tonight's date night, it's the same setup I had for our very first official date night almost 10 years ago. Back when we were both 16, I did this for her. It was also one of the pavilions we used at our wedding.

"It's beautiful." She said at last.

"Hungry?"

"Mm-hm."

I took her by the hand and lead her to the table. We ate and talked about Harmione and the boys more than anything.

"You know it's funny Ben...when we had our first date here; it was all about us, and now it's all about the kids."

I just stared deeply at her.

"You're amazing you know?"

She blushed and sipped her drink.

"Back then I couldn't get you out of the house, you were afraid of your own shadow...and now look at you...2 jobs, 3 kids, a new house, and not to mention all the struggles you deal with that normal wives and mom's don't...I feel like you do too much and I never tell you just how much I appreciate it."

"Oh come on Ben...you tell me all the time...Angel you're beautiful...you're sooo smart... Angel I'm proud of you...Angel don't give up...Angel."

I smirked.

"You sell yourself short all the time..."

I looked up at her.

"You know...we've known each other for years now...and ever since you saved me...things have changed so much for me."

"For me they have-"

"I know...but they've changed a lot more for me Ben...all of this praise...all of the love and support you give me...I have never had that before...you had your family...and even if you didn't know it...your friends...you grew up with a mother and father that loves you...you have always had a charming life Ben...Charmcaster didn't give you that-"

"But you-"

"You gave this spell caster charm."

She smiled shyly.

"I am fortunate to have you...and you don't see any mistakes in me...but the one mistake you're missing...is that if anyone doesn't get apprieacted enough...its you Ben."

I turned away.

"You say you had it rough...and there's no doubts that you did...but look at all you overcame...I mean you went against all that you knew to be with me...you almost gave up your entire life just so I could be happy...you've given me everything I've ever wanted...I may have given you love and support in return, but that fails in comparison to what you've given me."

She began to cry.

"Family...a real one...a home...when I look at you Ben...oh sweetie...its like the first time I saw you...in that alley...you pulled me a side and gave me a choice...you gave me a chance...an opportunity."

I reached across the table and strokes her hand.

"Magic can't create what you've done...You're such a beautiful person and I just love you so much!"

She leaned forward and kissed my hand and sobbed. I sprang to my feet. She did the same, we met half way around the table and embraced each other.

"I live because of you..." She whispered in tears. Her tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. I placed my hand on the back of her head and stroked her back. She cried into my chest.

"I love you..." She mumbled.

"I always did and I always will." I told her into her ear. I took her face in my hands and we began to make-out.

"Want to see if it's still there?"

She only nodded and wiped her face. Near the pavilion on the concrete path leading up to it was something very special written in permanent marker. We smiled at it and called it a night. I took her home and came back later to clean up the park. There in the stone it was still there and it read:

Ben+Hope 2015.

Before I left the park to go back up to the hospital to check on the twins; I wrote out underneath it with another permanent marker:

Forever. 2025

Forever was how long I planned on giving her the charmed life she's always given me.