My Lovely Family
Chapter 12 - Relapse - Part 1
- FLASHBACK: 12 YEARS AGO -
It was a weekend. Gwen was going to Bellwood to visit her parents. She had arranged that she would bring Ben along. Although Natalie agreed, she didn't like the idea. Before her daughter's arrival, she was on the phone talking to her sister.
"What a pain, Ly! Are you going to be making food for him? Why won't Ben have dinner at his mother's house?" asked Gwen's aunt.
"It's because Gwen asked him to come. Would I say no? Would I slam the door in his face? No, right?"
"You don't have to slam the door in his face, but can say you have little food or just the basics. Then he gives up."
"I don't mind receiving Ben here. And my daughter is coming from the trip, I want to receive her. Then Ben goes to Sandra's house". The doorbell rang. "Ah, Gwen has arrived, I'll talk to you later."
Natalie opened the door and hugged her daughter. She greeted Ben with just a hello. Frank, on the other hand, hugged Gwen and shook his nephew's hand. When the four were having dinner, Natalie noticed that her son-in-law had not lost the British etiquette he had learned for his cousin's graduation.
"He'll still make a mistake. It won't be long," she thought. "And look what a simpler outfit. Is this costume to visit the mother-in-law's house? How come!"
Frank asked his nephew about his plans for the future. Ben answered that he wanted to improve his superhero performance. However, he was embarrassed when he had to tell his in-laws that he wouldn't go to college. For Gwen's father, the right man for his daughter was an educated, knowledgeable scholar, but he accepted his nephew as a son-in-law anyway. Although her mother didn't care much about that part, any "blemish" from Ben was enough for her to disapprove of him even more.
- END OF FLASHBACK -
(Opening theme)
Benwolf (or, as it was later renamed, Blitzwolfer) fought a Florauna that attacked the F-gamma-6 sector. The alien werewolf hit him with his subsonic howl as his opponent tossed his explosive seeds. With a leap, Benwolf came close enough to bite him. He then moved into the shape of Benmummy (or Snare-oh, as he was later called) and tied him with his bandages, defeating him.
After Rook led the Florauna to the Plumber ship, Ben returned to his normal form and received a call from Gwen on his cell phone.
"Love," she said. "Is the fight over yet?"
"Yes, I just defeated one more. Is everything ok, Gwen? "
"Yeah, it's ok. It's just that my mom is coming soon and we need you here."
As XLR8, he rushed back to headquarters. Once there, he found Cassandra on the computer playing a racing game. Kenny was sitting next to his sister. He was too small to play but had fun watching her controlling the car.
"Look how we do it, Kenny" her car skirted a San Marino circuit chicane and passed two cars.
"You passed! You passed!" shouted Kenny excitedly.
"Yes, I passed two cars!" said Cassandra proudly.
But in the middle of the game, Ben pressed the pause key. She turned to her father in surprise as Kenny whined.
"Ooohhh, Dad!" protested the two.
"You play later, kids. Grandma's coming. "
"Oh, but I want to play… "said Cassandra.
"I know, Cassandra Senna*," Ben replied, taking his daughter in his lap. "But you can play later. Just go there to kiss Grandma, then go back to the game."
"Okay," she agreed before Ben set her down. Cassie was now six-years-old and heavier than before. Ben was very strong, but he didn't want to force his back too much.
(*Note: this is a reference to Ayrton Senna, legendary Formula One driver)
In the Null Void, Julie talked with the man in charge of the penitentiary administration.
"Look, I know my husband was wrong. But he has a small son and we need him."
"I understand, Mrs. Levin But if we were to release every detainee who has family, we would have to release many. Then they go back to committing crimes."
"That's not the case of Kevin!" she said a little nervously. "He worked to keep our home and now we have to be supported by my father."
"When he escaped from prison he didn't return to work immediately. On the contrary, he returned to the world of crime. If you're in financial trouble, I suggest you get a job."
"I can't work outside. It's a cultural matter…" Although not a gypsy, Julie adopted her husband's family lifestyle. Traditionally, the jobs she could accept were restricted.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Levin. We can analyze the case. Maybe even if Kevin works in prison, he can earn a salary and send it to you. Anyway, we'll find a way without having to get him out of jail."
Julie thanked him and returned to her dimension.
Natalie and Frank arrived at headquarters. He greeted his daughter and the son-in-law then hugged each grandson. She did the same to the kids and went to hug Gwen.
"Oh, honey! I missed you so much! At least, I can see you again."
"Welcome, Mom! It's always a pleasure to welcome you."
Ben approached to greet his mother-in-law, to which she replied.
"Oh, hi Ben!" she said with a smile on his face. "Could you put my coat away? Thank you very much!"
Natalie handed Ben the coat, surprised that his mother-in-law treated him like an employee. Even so, he answered her request and tried to ignore the fact.
Frank took Talitha in his lap and went to play with his grandchildren. Ben and Gwen, who held Karina in their lap, escorted Natalie to the living room, where they sat down to talk.
"Oh, your house is beautiful! I just think the neighborhood is too noisy for me. "
"Great! So she doesn't come to live nearby," Ben thought.
"You know, Gwen," she continued. "I always knew you would live in a beautiful mansion. And even though this is a headquarters, it has the whole structure of a mansion. I was talking to your aunt today and she's very proud of you. You have a beautiful house, six beautiful children, a great career... of course that …" - Natalie looked at her son-in-law - "... if there were two degrees in the house it would be better than just one, but otherwise, it's fine."
Long moments passed. Natalie alternated between complaining about something and dropping hints at Ben. He grew more and more tired, mentally begging for some alien to come and fight him. But no alarm sounded. Discreetly, he excused himself to retire.
"Excuse me, love. I arranged to check some Null Void data with Grandpa."
"Fine, Ben. Go," answered Gwen.
"Sure, Ben," Natalie said. "You can do your job."
"Thank you, Aunt Natalie," he replied respectfully, trying to hide his tiredness.
Gwen continued talking with her mother, who took advantage of Ben's absence to throw shade at him.
"Honey… how do you feel?"
"Well, Mom. Why?"
"Because… my love, I know you like Ben. But I think that his superhero life overwhelms you.
"I don't get overloaded, mom…"
"Oh, dear... with this superhero life he can't work. And you have to afford your home alone. Remember what I always told you? 'Spend your husband's money and save yours'? Well, with Ben out of work you end up supporting him and the kids."
Ben listened to the conversation hidden, shocked by his mother-in-law's levity.
"Mom, he's not a bum."
"I'm not saying he's a bum, I'm just saying he has not a salary."
"I've said a thousand times that he earns a salary from the Plumbers."
"That can't pay even the electricity bill of this house."
"That's more than earns a lot of people out there."
"Gwen, there's a lot of handsome and hardworking men out there… that guy, Cooper, is interested in you. He would be a so much better match than Ben."
Ben couldn't bear to hear another word. Immediately, as XLR8, he left headquarters and went to a bar.
"Give me a beer, please."
He was very tired and his eyes downcast. He didn't realize that Rook was at the counter beside him, peering at something. The Revonnahgander turned as he recognized the hero's voice.
"Ben! What are you doing here? "
"Hi, Rook. I ... I needed to come here. I can't take Aunt Natalie anymore" the drink came and he took a sip.
"Ben, it is risky. You are a public figure, if you get caught in a bar the tabloids will use it against you."
"Let them say whatever they want." Ben emptied his mug and ordered another. "Any tabloid is less dark than Aunt Natalie's tongue," he drank as soon as the clerk served him. "Do you believe it, Rook? She was telling Gwen to drop me and stay with Cooper."
"Jeez! I knew she was nasty, but not to the point of asking for such a thing. But Gwen loves you, she will not be with Cooper just because your mother-in-law wants it. "
"The problem…" - Ben asked for another beer - "...is that witch won't give up... she'll torment me until I go crazy". He drank again. "Ever since I started dating Gwen she picks on me."
"For a woman who once had Kevin Levin as son-in-law she should be grateful," Rook noted.
"Tell her that..." Ben's voice was already softer. "She's a snake of the species Motherinlawnis venomous: she has the most poisonous mouth in the whole universe."*
(*Note: In the original version in Portuguese, Ben calls Natalie a "Sogronis peçonhentus", playing with the words "sogra" ("mother-in-law") and "peçonhenta" ("venomous")).
Lucy had been released from prison that afternoon. She was willing to take revenge on the Tennysons. But the Lenopan couldn't simply do another trap attack. She needed a better plan. To do this, she met with another Lenopan, with whom she was arranging an ambush.
"So, you know what to do?"
"Yes, Lucy. I must attack and you enter as heroin."
"Exactly! Let's see how dear Gwen's reaction will be."
Ben had taken six mugs. He was no longer in his normal state. Barely able to stand upright, he received the help of Rook, who did his best to mislead the people who were filming the scene with their cell phones.
(Note: Drunk Ben's quotes are misspelled on purpose)
"Rook, ur an anjel…" said the hero. "But, louk... I hav an eye on yuuuuu..." he pointed his wobbly finger at his friend. "I knou uat u hav in mind, u naugty…" Ben started to laugh. Rook was ashamed of him.
"Yes, what I have in mind is that I have to take you home."
"Oooooh, Gwen'll kill mee... she and her mom, dat poisonus snake" he laughed again. "Oh, if I get dat witch, I swear dat..." the Omnitrix turned him into Four Arms, throwing all his weight on poor Rook.
"Ben... go back... to normal..." he used all the strength he could. Ben went back to his human form. "Do not play with the Omnitrix while you are drunk."
"Oh, I'm not drunk... I didn't eevin drink dat mutch..."
"Nooo..." Rook said wryly. "You just nearly bankrupted the bar's owner."
"So now I'll adjust his biusinezz with de bank" Ben was going to meet the clerk when Rook grabbed him by the shirt.
"Come on, you still have to explain yourself to your wife!" his friend was already annoyed.
"My wife iz a saint… de best one… but she iz onlee mine, see? Onlee mine... Iz just her mom who's not good. Dat uoman iz de devil."
People were laughing at the situation. Some kept recording and others put the footage on the Internet. Rook found it risky to use Ben's hoverboard to carry him, so he took him on foot to headquarters.
Max was at headquarters, talking to Frank, Natalie, and Gwen while everyone watched the children playing. When Rook arrived with Ben, they were shocked.
"Guys... help me here..." Rook said as he carried his friend.
"BEN!" shouted Gwen after putting Karina in the stroller. "Explain it to me now!"
"Gwen, my beeuty…" Ben threw himself at his wife, hanging around her neck. "Ur the uoman I lov... so mutch... gimme a kiss..."
Gwen's first idea was to push him away with her magic, but she feared that it would hurt her husband. She simply turned her face and tried to unglue him from her body.
"Ben… stop with this! You're stinking to alcohol…"
The children laughed a lot at the situation. Cassandra had the most fun.
"Oh, look at him!" Natalie started. "Besides a bum, he's an alcoholic!"
Ben immediately dropped Gwen and headed for his mother-in-law. Rook held him, straining to keep him upright as his body was slowly falling.
"Heer, Aunt Natalie ... I hav somthing tu tell u..."
"That's right... say it!" she gave him a disapproving look.
"Yuuuuuu..." he pointed a finger at her, though his arm was falling. "AR DE DEVIL!"
"WHAT?"
"Datz it... Ur de devil in skirtz!... De demon! … De Beelzebub!" Ben started to laugh.
"Oh, I'll get this abused one!" Natalie tried to attack him but was restrained by her husband. "Is that manners to talk with your mother-in-law?"
"Not with mai mother-in-law but with de demon is… I knou dat u uant mai wife left mee so u kan f(censored) mai a(censored)..."
She tried to punch him, but Frank stopped her again.
"Natalie, are you going to argue with a drunk? It's not worth it…"
"Yeah, datz it, Uncle Frank…" Ben almost fell, but Max helped Rook to hold him. "Kill dat uoman… she's evil, dat bastard…"
"Ben! That's enough!" shouted Max. "You're going to the bathroom to take a shower and finish this clownery. "
"Clown?" Ben was startled. "Uerez de clowns?" he nearly stumbled as his children laughed.
"There's one in front... hahahahahahahaha" Cassandra replied, making her siblings laugh even more.
Frank took the stroller where Karina was and went to his grandchildren, suggesting they go for a walk. They ran into it.
"Thank you, Dad!"
"You're welcome, daughter… I'm here for this!"
"Thank u, Uncle Frank…" Ben pointed a finger at him. "Ur da man, sir! Quite diff'rent from dis one" he pointed to Natalie, who had to be restrained by Rook.
"Calm down, Mrs. Tennyson! We will fix it."
Max and Gwen carried Ben into the bedroom and led him into the shower. Natalie and Rook followed.
"AAAAAAHHH, ur loukin at my p(censored), uh, Rook, u (censored)... I knou u aaaaaarrrr..." said Ben while Max and Gwen showered him.
"Imagine..." Rook looked seriously at his friend as if to say 'What a shame!'
"Oh, but wi dat snake iz heer? U kame to bring Rook so he kan f(censored) mai a(censored), uh naugty?"
"No... I came here to laugh at your face, clown!" said the mother-in-law in a serious tone.
"Clown? Uere?"
"IT'S IN YOUR…"
"Mom!" shouted Gwen.
"Look at him, daughter!" Natalie shouted. "Look at the disgrace you married! I'm sure Cooper doesn't drink like that. "
"Heer, tell Cooper tu go f-"
"BEN! THAT'S ENOUGH!" yelled Gwen. "Either you stop now, or I swear I drown you right here! For God's sake!"
After a long time, Gwen and Max finally got Ben dressed and put him to sleep. Frank returned with the children and helped to prepare them. Gwen was very tired.
"I'm here if you need to, my little granddaughter," said Max.
"Thank you, Grandpa! Oh, I don't think this week is going to be easy... my parents are staying here because my mother wanted to have the same thing as Aunt Sandra. I don't know what to do…" she was dejected. Max hugged her.
"Calm down, my beauty! We'll fix it! For now, worry only about sleeping and getting a good night's sleep. Let's help her take care of the kids while Ben is sick."
The next day, the sun dawned very brightly. Gwen had already got up, given breakfast to the children, and other activities. Ben only woke up at 11 am, annoyed by the sunlight on his face. His head hurt a lot and every noise bothered him. After getting ready, he went downstairs to find Gwen with his hands on his hips.
"So... my prince is finally out of bed!"
Ben put his hand on his forehead, moaning in pain.
"Open your eyes!" she continued. "The day is half gone! Well, what happened last night, besides you drinking like a peasant?"
"Ohhhh, my Gwen..." he kissed her cheek. "I'll explain everything to you later… Oh, my head hurts…"
"You shouldn't have done that, Ben! Do you know the whole country is talking about you?" Gwen turned on the television.
"Yesterday the hero Ben 10,000 was seen completely drunk," the reporter said. "In this video, he is seen being helped by Plumber Rook Blonko to return to his headquarters. We don't have information about his health status yet." Gwen turned it off.
"Happy?"
"No…" he replied as he massaged his temples. "Gwen... look ... I didn't do that for bad..."
The red alert sounded, bothering Ben with the noise. The heroine prepared to go.
"I'm going along, Gwen."
"No, Ben. You're sick. You have to stay here and rest."
"I already fought with a cold…" he remembered when he was 10 years old. "Fighting with a hangover is not a problem… "
"You'll be here and end of story!" decreed Gwen. "Your children need you. At home!"
She rushed to the rescue while Ben took medicine. Arriving at the place, she had a big surprise. It was the largest Lenopan she had ever seen, and she felt that something was not right.
.
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Notes
1) Drink Responsibly
2) If you drink, not fight
There's a fanart I commissioned from Jettmanas at Deviantart to depict this chapter. You can see it accessing my profile there (BeckyGwen10).