**** "she wants me to attend counselling," Ben told his brother in law up on his loft. "is that a bad thing," Ricardo voiced. "It gets better, she wants you, Annie and your brother attending," Ben added as he watched Ricardo mouth drop. "Good luck with my bossy, stubborn sister because it's not happening," Ricardo informed him. "how on earth did she manage to convince you," Ricardo lets out. "said one of her goddess speeches," Ben stated making Ricardo laugh. "she used to drive me crazy with those," Ricardo added. "she still will. I thought she changed so much, but she hasn't not a bit," Ben observed. "The change is within me." "But she has changed Ben, she's all grown up man, what was a youth no longer remains one," Ricardo mentioned as Ben eyed him in interest. "That's one of your sister's phrases," Ben sensed it. "those were her words to me, she has grown to becoming the woman that you worshipped And she isn't aware of this. The change we see in Maria is the same change that we see in each other. You forget that Maria is behind in our time scale," Ricardo made him aware.
"I don't think she is anymore Ricardo, she's caught up and she has done it so much more quicker than one would have thought." "what are you going to do?" Ricardo wanted to know. "play it by ear I guess," Ben stated. "what are you going to do about Gabi?" Ben asked wondering if what Maria had in mind was even worth going through the effort. "I don't know yet, I'm in two minds," Ricardo revealed. "a part of me wants to make it another go but – there's another part of you that can't forgive her for sleeping with your brother," Ben interrupted him. "I guess you have been there and hated my sister for a long time," Ricardo tells him. "I never stopped loving her Ricardo even when I thought the worst of her. But when she came back..." Ben paused thinking back to the emotions he felt when he saw her and called her his wife. "It was easier to deny her because you made a commitment to Meg," Ricardo finished of his sentence. "I'd probably would have done the same thing." "do what you think is best," Ben implied. "see we're talking who said we need counselling?" Ricardo declared. "according to the bitterness of the sea we do." "so you attending to Casey's engagement?" Ricardo asked. "as your apprentice lord Sith I shall," Ben stated making Ricardo burst into laughter. "you should play married forever game with my sister," Ricardo suggested. "You do such a great job that you both give the best adult entertainment." "I can't do that unless your sister decides to turn up," Ben stated. "oh she'll turn up alright just have to set the scene for her," Ricardo says amused. "there is no way she will let T stand on his own. You mark my word."
**** "We have got to get rid of Mama," Maria tries to convince her younger brother. "and how you going to do that?" Antonio asked finding is too humorous. "Her cards will reveal all to her what you are up to," Antonio let's out making him and Maria both laugh. "look I'm serious," Maria expressed. "well so am I. Maria I only moved in with Mama because of you, thinking I'm going to have you around," Antonio mentioned. "mama is driving me insane already," Antonio commented. "I'm so sorry, Ben needs me and I need to show him the way into the light again," Maria went on while Antonio burst into laughter. "It's not funny will you stop laughing," Maria declared hitting her brother hard on the hand.
"It sounded just like the verse from the Gospel," Antonio remembers while both siblings continued laughing vividly. "Look we have to somehow get her out of town for a little bit so we can finally have the thorn removed from the centre of Ricardo's marriage and strip this place apart giving it the best makeover of the 21st century. I won't be able to do this if Mama's around," Maria went on.
"You won't be able to do what exactly Maria with me around," Carmen questioned walking through. A smirk appeared on Antonio's face thinking his sister was so doomed while she smiles innocently at her mother. "yeah Maria what were you planning on doing by not having mama around?" Antonio repeated wanting to see what she comes up with and wishing others could watch this. She wanted to kill Antonio now. "well?" Carmen asked. "Mama you know we love you and we want the best for you just as you love us and only want the best for us. You have made so many sacrifices for your children, nurturing and guiding us because you know the truth that is held in your heart," Maria spoke while Antonio could actually see his mother was falling for it.
"Maria you have been doing the same thing for your own child as have done for all my children, putting you lot first," Carmen described. "I know and we are ever so grateful for you teaching us the values and the importance of principles. We would not be here if it wasn't for you, well certainly not me," Maria carried on as she held her mother by hand. "but just as children do not remain one forever, nor does a youth. We have grown to become strong, indestructible adults because of the experiences of the past that we hold making us bounded to it forever," Maria continued while Antonio wished he could record this to show for Ben and his brother. "Mama you need to now start putting yourself first for a change," Maria expressed. "Maria a mother can not stop being one," Carmen explained. " I know and we are not telling you to stop Mama, but you can not stop your children from growing up and you can not guard and protect them as much as you did when they were infants," Maria responded. "mama your children will make choices as adults and make mistakes whether you approve of them or not. It's all part of learning curve for them and if they do not make mistakes they won't grow into the person that they should become," Maria explained.
"I want you mama to start putting yourself first for a change and I want you to live. You have been through so much and we as your children will need to start looking after you," Maria went on. Antonio couldn't believe how easily his mother looked convinced. " So Antonio and I were thinking you should visit families in Mexico for few weeks. Be around those that love you and will appreciate you. You can spend Lent and Easter up there and Antonio can head up there later in few weeks and deliver the Easter sermon which will be a honourable thing he could do with you in present," Maria suggested. "and I'll be here when you get back with Ricardo just like the Sun rises from east and sets in the west with complete certainty," she concluded.
Carmen only hugged her while Antonio was left a little speechless. "you are right my beautiful, precious wishful daughter," Carmen agreed. "I can not stop you from growing up, you had to slip away from Ben's hand to grow into the woman that you are described to be. You have a good heart Maria and you always had one. When would you like me to leave?" Carmen asked as Antonio was surprised how his mother gave in so easily. "today if you want to. We already got you a one way ticket up to Costa Rica and I promise you this is the best decision you have made for yourself and our family," Maria assured. Carmen nodded her head. "I might as well pack a few things if I am going to leave tonight. Maria just remember whatever you are planning to do, the outcome may not be as you think. You will only realise when you have walked through the door," Carmen stated and walked through the beaded door veil.
Both siblings exchanged glances at each other. "what did she mean by that?" Maria asked her brother. "things are not what they may seem with people," Antonio mentioned as she realised Ben said something on those words to her too. "I need to see Ricardo and Annie," Maria states.
Ricardo and Ben glanced around Surf Central to see who have attended Casey and Sarah's engagement party. Hank Cummings didn't look very impressed while Ricardo kept his distance from Gabi. "this was a bad idea," Ricardo whispers to Ben who watched how Meg kept glancing at him and keeping her distance. "Maybe we should let our old friend know that we plan to leave," Ben suggested who can see Hank having words with Casey. "you should talk to Gabi," Ben implied while Ricardo shook his head. "no way. I need my stubborn, bossy sister to make her grand appearance," Ricardo implied as they watched Casey come up. "hey you guys I think with situation maybe you should leave this party," Casey informed them. " Why is that Casey your in laws worried that we will bring ciaos," Ricardo questioned. "look Ricardo I feel stuck in the middle of all this but the situation isn't exactly great is it," Casey says. "the situation is the way it is because people have set it up this way," Ben mentioned. "and you are partly responsible Ben for not divorcing Maria," Casey reminds him.
"I forgot to," Ben let's out while Ricardo spat his drink out laughing hysterically with Casey. "ah man Evans you are jokes," Ricardo lets out. "It's all your sister's fault," Ben stated. "yeah course it was," Ricardo agreed. It's not her fault that she haunts you still." "she is just as much haunted by my present," Ben observed. "Making you the match made in heaven. Ah the beauty of true love," Ricardo lets out. "Speaking of her where is she?" "no idea," Ben stated. "Where is both her and Antonio," Ricardo questioned while he heard his cell phone ringing. Casey and Ben watched him answer it. "Mama calm down you are not making sense," Ricardo says while a deep frown appeared on Ben's face. "what do you mean you are leaving town," Ricardo asked her trying to make sense while Ben realised Maria must have had something to do with it. "mama you are breaking up, mama, mama!' Ricardo called out to her but she hung up as everyone kept looking at him including Gabi. She walked up to him as he has a confused expression on his face.
"Ricardo is everything okay," Gabi asked him while Michael walked up to him too. "is your mum okay," Michael asked. "she's fine," Ricardo let's out getting frustrated. "What was that all about?" Ben asked him. "she's flying out to Mexico, said she will be back in few weeks," Ricardo informed him. "I guess that's why Maria isn't here nor T," Ricardo realised. "Well I guess it's a good thing right," Michael implied. "no it's not a good thing. I want to know why?" Ricardo says. "you know anything about this?" Ricardo asked Ben. "I think I know who played part in your mother's decision," ben rephrased it while everyone were looking intrigued how Ben and Ricardo spoke. "the question is why," Ben repeated. Ricardo shook his head. "like Michael said its probably good thing for Carmen," Gabi implied as she watched Antonio walking in. "Antonio, hi," Gabi greeted him. He only smiled. "I need to talk you," Antonio says. "where were you," Ricardo asked. "at the airport dropping our mother off," Antonio explained. "she called just now what is going on," Ricardo questioned him. " I had nothing to do with this," Antonio defends himself. "so who did then?" "some we refer to as the bitterness," Antonio expressed as both his brother and Ben knew it was Maria.
"Why?" Ricardo was getting really angry hoping it wasn't because of him making another go with Gabi. "Because she was driving me insane," Antonio confessed as Ricardo and Ben burst into hysterical laughter including Antonio. "Oh my god Evans," Ricardo cried out. "this is all your fault Ben," Antonio blamed him. "how is it my fault?" Ben questioned. "look I only moved in with Mama thinking I'm going to have my stubborn, bossy sister around to keep me sane. Instead now, no thanks to you she has moved back in because she has to show you the way into the light from the darkness," Antonio repeated while Ricardo and Antonio kept laughing at Ben. "Let me guess she must have said that," Ricardo added laughing more with his brother. "Sounds like the phrase from the bible," Antonio added laughing more making Ben more irritated. "bet you both had great giggle about it," Ben predicted not liking he was being laughed at. "oh we did alright, but what she said to mama and the grand speech..." Antonio paused. "that good huh," Ricardo asked. "She had mama convinced in minutes. I wish I recorded it for you," Antonio mentioned. "Well T it seems like she has been putting her spell on a certain brother law of ours," Ricardo laughed.
"What do you mean?" Antonio was interested. "I'll tell you about it later."
"besides she wants to renovate Mama's house," Antonio mentioned. "what do you mean?" Ben was confused while everyone were listening into them. "you mean you don't know?" Antonio says glancing at Ricardo with an amused smirk. "course he doesn't know, Maria is only his wife on paper remember," Ricardo declared as Ben glanced back at Meg. He remained quiet. "where is my beloved wife," Ben wanted to know as he felt left out. "at home with Annie and Benji. She wants Annie to start helping her so she could keep her on her toes. "Helping her u what exactly?" Ben questioned not liking the sound of that. "Ben, she's going back into interior designing again," Ricardo tells him and put him out of his misery. "I'm surprised she hasn't told you yet." He didn't look impressed. "when did she decide this," Ben had to know. "before she moved in with you man," Ricardo revealed. "there is no way she will be going back into interior designing without me," Ben made it clear while everyone glanced at Meg. He made his way to the front door. "hey where are you going brother in law?" Ricardo asked him. "home to my darling wife," Ben answered. "look just don't pounce on her," Ricardo reminded him. "Your sister knows very well not to keep anything from me," Ben added and walked out, as everyone realised how controlling Ben was as a husband.
"I pray to god there isn't world war 3 with them," Antonio hoped. "Let's get out of here," Ricardo responded as they both walked out from surf central too.
**** Ben walked into his home from the front door shutting it. He placed his keys on top of the side table near the front door and leaned his head on the door. He walked down to find Maria asleep on the sofa dressed in a white night gown with a lace chemise underneath it. He couldn't help but brood down at her analysing and observing how she slept making him ponder she slept the same. Instinctively a smile appeared on his face, before he went up to the drinks and pouring himself a glass. The sound of it woke her up. "Hi," Maria greeted him while he stared back her. "What are you doing sleeping here?" Ben asked her. "I was watching a movie," Maria informed him. "let me guess you didn't make it to the end," Ben realised as she remained quiet. "how was the party," Maria asked. "you didn't come." "I couldn't leave Benji on his own," Maria revealed. "anyways it was best that I didn't show up. I hope it gave you all the chance to put your differences aside," Maria says as she realised Ben was staring at her brooding. "Anyways I'm going to bed." She tried to excuse herself. "Maria wait," Ben held her back. "what Ben," she asked him. "when were you going to tell me that you have decided to go into interior designing again?" Ben asked.
"Are you angry that I haven't," Maria questioned. "I want to know when you made that decision?" "I was going to tell you?" "When," Ben questioned her again in a serious and stern tone. "tonight, but clearly someone else has already informed you," Maria says and could tell he wasn't happy. " I guess that's why you wanted your mother out of town," Ben says. "partly, but also because to keep my brother a little sane," Maria mentioned. "Antonio only moved in because of me to mamas thinking he will have me around," Maria explained as he realised Antonio spoke the truth. "But due to the circumstances I made the decision to move in here." "No one told you to," Ben reminds her as she watched him drink his strong drink. She hated seeing him like that. "yeah your right, no one did tell me to move back in here. I moved in here because I needed to not because I wanted to," Maria threw back at Ben making him feel powerless and ticking some emotions within him.
I moved back in here because of you, because I needed to have your back and because I have worked too damn hard for half a decade trying to keep you alive," Maria threw back at him as he watched the anger of tears build quickly. "and if your insecure, comfort blanket didn't always walk out on you when things got a little complicated for her liking, maybe I would have fought for you," Maria went on. "instead you keep running away from this and burying your head in the sand when you and I are standing face to face yet oceans apart," Maria cried. "So keep walking to a distance because one brother was good at hiding while another is just good at running," Maria concluded ticking more emotions within her husband.
"And if you are going to feel sorry for yourself by drinking your self drunk because you are letting self pity and subconscious guilt overwhelm you, then you truly are weak and your brother observation was probably correct about you," Maria finalised while she turned around ready to make her way up the stairs. Instead Ben quickly place his drink down and grabbed her by the arm hard. "let go of me," Maria shouted as Ben threw her hard into the long, brown sofa. "you don't control me," Ben tells her firmly. "I control you." He watched the fear sparkle in her eyes. "what do you want from me?" Maria whispered. "I'm sick and tired of carrying the responsibility of the situation and everyone blaming me for it," Ben exploded. "I don't blame you," Maria says. "well you brothers do, the Cummins do, Casey," Ben went on. "but I don't blame you, I just wished you handled things a lot differently then let people destroy you and let them use me the ghost and living, breathing me to hurt you and manipulate the situation because their heart craved for passion and romance," Maria voiced. "You have made it incredibly easy for people to." "I know I disappointed you – no Ben you have disappointed yourself," Maria interrupted.
"Half of this town don't even know how to make a marriage or a relationship work," Maria added. "you are surrounded by ignorant, shallow souls who are not your circle of friends but only circle of employees that you have but become fond of," Maria observed. "you are more than what you have become. I know you lost the will to leave I get that but I want you to chase your dreams and make the impossible but possible," Maria declared. "I want you to have architectural implication in this town, I want you to have you own race track. Rather I have come back and found everything in a stand still almost like you have been waiting for my return and the woman you claim to have gave you back your life hasn't been able to even get you to forefeel half of your dreams," Maria carried on.
"So young worrier what are you going to do about it," Maria asked him. "Are you going run yourself into the distance or are you going to stand by me and a child that we vowed to raise together in spite of whatever calamities we are faced with. And together build a kingdom like no other making us indestructible," Maria concluded. He leaned his forehead onto hers making the tip of his nose touch hers. "I'm tired of fighting this battle of the heart and mind," Ben says. "you and I both," Maria tells him as she remembers what her mother said about why she slipped out of Ben's hand. She watched Ben slip his head under her neck as she held him. "god what am I doing to myself," Maria thought to herself.