Okay! So I know I wasn't going to post on this story for a while, but I also said that about neighbors! This or my other three won't be updated as often as my others, but I'll try to update them here and there.
Please let me know what you think! I really love reading you reviews and PMs!
Again I don't own anything other than my OCs
Enjoy!!
"So, he asked you one question. You guys talked about your kids. He offered you the job. Then that was it?" Evie asked as Mal walked into the apartment she shared with her dad.
"Yeah," Mal said. "I think we both got caught up in talking about the kids and about what we both went through in our past that we both forgot about the other questions. Plus, Melody and Jackson got along great. That's probably another reason why too."
"Well, that's good. But, it's a live-in nanny position. Where would Melody go? I would love to have her, but I'm always traveling for work…"
"That's another thing," Mal said as she plotted onto the bed Melody and her shared. "She's coming with me. Ben said that he wouldn't want me to be away from her, and that he would even give her her own room," she said.
"Okay. First, he sounds like a dream. And second, he sounds rich," she said. "You said his name was Ben Anderson?"
"Yeah," Mal said. "He's a lawyer."
"He wouldn't happen to be Adam Anderson's son? Mr. Shark Lawyer?"
Mal didn't even put two and two together when they were talking, and Ben was talking about his dad and what they did for work.
"Oh, crap! Yeah…" Mal said. "I am literally going to be working for millionaires."
"Yeah, you are," Evie said with a chuckle. "Oh," she said, and the sudden change of tone made Mal sit up on the bed.
"What's wrong, E?" Mal asked.
"You'll never believe who I ran into at the airport," she said and her tone sounded annoyed.
"Who?"
"Mr. Sperm Donor," Evie said.
Harry? Mal thought. What is he doing in New York?
"He's moving back here," Evie said, breaking Mal out of her thoughts. "He finally finished school and just got a job somewhere in the city. I didn't even ask. He was gloating about it, and I was ignoring him until he brought out you and Melody." Evie said, making Mal freeze.
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to know where you worked, how Melody was, if I could talk to you for him, blah blah blah," she said. "Obviously, I told him to fuck off, because he wasn't going anywhere near you or Melody."
"Thanks, E. I don't know why all of a sudden he wants to meet her, when he was the one to sign all his rights over to me before she was even born."
"Yeah I know. He's awful! I'm actually glad that he hasn't met her, because she deserves so much better than him."
Mal was about to say something but her phone started beeping, letting her know that someone was calling her. She pulled the phone away from her ear to see that Ben was calling her.
"Hey, E. Ben is calling me. Can I call you back?"
"Yeah!" Evie said. "Both of you are coming over. Just call me when you two are on your way," she stated.
"Okay, bye. Tell Doug I said hi," Mal said.
"Okay. Give my niece a big kids from me," Evie said.
"She's napping, but you can give her one later," Mal said with a chuckle before hanging up with Evie and answering Ben's call. "Hello?" Mal said.
"Hi! Mal?" Ben said as if he was shocked that she answered.
"Hi, Mr. Anderson," Mal said. "What can I do for you?"
"Please, Mal," Ben said. "You're going to be living in my house, you can call me Ben," he said with a chuckle and making her laugh.
"Okay. What can I do for you, Ben?" She asked again.
"Actually, I was calling because I completely forgot to tell you what I am going to be paying you," he said, making Mal's eyes pop open because they never brought it up.
"Oh," Mal said. "Yeah, I guess we both got up talking about our kids that we didn't even get through all of your questions too,' she said.
"Yeah, I realized that, but it's fine," he said with a chuckle.
"Well, what if I turned out to be a crazy kidnapper?" she asked in a jokeful tone.
Ben laughed. "Well, if you plan to kidnap Jackson, just make sure you take his epipen with you," she said, making Mal laugh out loud. "But, like I was saying," he said. "The pay is rather… large…" he said with some hesitation.
"How large?" Mal asked.
"Well, because it is a live-in position. The part of the city we live in, and other things," he went on. "I do pay more than the average."
"How much more?" Mal questioned with an uneasy tone.
"350 a day…" he said in a hushed tone.
Mal froze when she heard that. That was more than she would have ever thought of. She expected to be paid the average or maybe a little more with knowing that Ben was more well off than the other families she nannied for, but she didn't expect to be making that much.
"Mal?" Ben said, making Mal concentrate back on him.
"I… I'm sorry… that's… that's…" she stuttered.
"Yes," he said. "I know it's a lot…"
"Ben. That is more than a lot," she said. "That's 91,000 a year," she said.
"Yes, well I have never kept a nanny for more than six months," he said, "I am hoping that you will be staying for longer, or for as long as you would like," he finished, making Mal smile.
"Well, I think that it is way too much and unnecessary, but I doubt I would be able to get you to negotiate a different, Mr. Hot Shot Lawyer," she said, making Ben chuckle.
"Well, it is my job to negotiate, so you would probably lose," he said with a chuckle.
"Maybe I'll put you under my spell and charm my way into renegotiating," she said, not noticing that she had started flirting now.
"Well, you would have no problem doing that, but I would like to keep the pay at that amount," he said with a cheeky tone.
Mal flushed at his playful tone. "Fine, but it doesn't mean I'll be happy about it," she said. "I would even settle for 250 a day because you are going to be paying for Melody's school."
"Please, Mal. Don't think too much of it," Ben said. "Melody is the sweetest little girl I have ever met, and I want the best for her since she is moving to a different side of town."
Mal thought about when she left the cafe and called her dad to tell him. To say her dad was shocked would be an understatement. He was completely flabbergasted. He even asked Mal if she wanted a background check on the guy because he seemed too good to be true, but Mal had told him that she had a good feeling about him, and when she had a good feeling about someone no one questioned it.
"Speaking of Melody," Ben said, making Mal break out of her thoughts again. "What is she interested in?"
"What do you mean?" Mal asked.
"Like what is her favorite color? Her favorite animal? Does she like any princesses?"
"Oh, she likes baby blue and gold, she loves dragons, and she doesn't have a favorite princess. She is more of a fairy lover. She loves the enchanted forest topic and their creatures."
"So, she likes mythical creatures," Ben said with a little curiosity in his voice. "So was I at her age, and if I'm honest I kind of got Jackson into it too," he said with a chuckle.
The two went on for an hour talking about their kids, before Melody woke up and Mal had to hang up the phone, but she couldn't help but smile everytime she thought about her conversation with Ben.
"Mally? You ready?" Haden asked as he walked out of Mal's and Melody's room with their last box.
Mal looked at her dad and smiled.
Yeah," she said as she walked over to Melody who was sitting on the couch. "Are you ready, birthday girl?" she asked, making Melody nod her head in excitement.
Mal laughed as Melody jumped into her mother's arms. Mother and daughter followed Haden out of the apartment, locking the door behind them. Mal drove her car and Haden drove his with the rest of Mal's boxes. Mal sent Ben's address to her dad and they made their way over.
When they had gotten there, and parked in the private parking garage, Haden whistled.
"Some service," he said as he grabbed the first box.
"Well, he lives on the top floor in the penthouse," Mal said as she unbuckled Melody out of her carseat, and placed her on her hip.
"Mr. Money Bags," Haden said, making Mal roll her eyes and laugh.
"Please don't call him that," Mal said.
"Mally, do you even know who I am?" Haden asked as he and Mal walked over to the private elevator. "Would I ever try to, purposely, embarrass you in front of your boss?" he asked as the elevator door opened and they stepped inside.
Mal looked up at her dad, and gave him an are-you-serious look. "Yes, yes you would," she said, making her dad laugh.
They traveled up the elevator and when it came to a stop, the doors opened and they were greeted with a giant open living area. A giant wall of glass with a beautiful view, a glass door leading to a terrace that was furnished with outdoor furniture, a large black soft leather sectional in one corner of the room, a half wall with a breakfast bar counter, a huge kitchen on the other side of the counter, and a beautiful dining table.
"Wow," Haden said as he placed the box down on the floor.
"Dad! Papa! Gammy!" Jackson yelled as he ran down the hall and saw Mal standing there with Melody in her arms. "Mally and Melody are here!" He yelled as he ran up to Mal and wrapped his arms around her legs.
"Jackson!" Melody yelled as she squirmed out of Mal's arms.
Mal set Melody on the ground as Jackson let go of Mal's legs to give Melody a big hug.
"Happy birthday, Melody," Jackson said as he tried to pick her up and spin her around, making Mal and Haden laugh.
"Thank you," Melody giggled.
"Hello," a woman said as she walked into the living area with a tall older man walking behind her.
She was petite like Mal. She had short brown hair, rosey cheeks, and beautiful hazel green eyes. The man was tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes, and was dressed in a suit.
"Hello," Mal said as she smiled at the woman. "You must be Ben's mother," she said as she reached her hand out to shake her hand.
"Yes," she said with a bright smile. "I'm Belle, and this is my husband Adam," Belle said as she gestured to Adam.
"Hello, Mr. Anderson," Mal said as she reached her hand out to Adam.
"Please, Mal. Just call me Adam," he said as he shook Mal's hand.
Mal gave him a smile as she pulled her hand away. "Adam. Belle, this is my father Haden, and the little girl Jackson is bear hugging is my daughter, Melody," she said with a chuckle.
Jackson let go of Melody, who looked up at Belle and Adam with a shy look.
"Hello, Melody," Belle said as she walked over to Melody and knelt down in front of her. "I heard it's your birthday," she said, making Melody nod her head. "You are very pretty," Belle added, before she looked back up at Mal. "Just like your mommy."
"Ben did mention, on multiple…" Adam started, but was cut off by Ben who cleared his throat louder than normal as he walked out of the hallway.
"Sorry," he said as he gave his dad a small glare. "I have a small tickle in my throat," he said. "Hello again, Mal," he said as he gave her a smile. He looked down at Melody and smiled at her. "Happy birthday, Melody," he said.
"Thank you," she said as she gave him a big cheesy smile.
Ben looked back at Mal and then saw her dad standing behind her.
"Mr. Drakos," Ben said as he held his hand out to him. "It's very nice to meet you."
Haden took Ben's hand and gave Ben a shirdy hand shake.
"Quite a grip you got there," Haden said to Ben as they pulled away.
"I could say the same to you too," Ben said, making Haden chuckle. Ben turned to Melody and smiled. "Jackson and I actually have something to show you Melody, if that's okay?" Ben asked as he looked back at Mal, who nodded her head.
"Come on, Melody!" Jackson said as he took Melody's hand and pulled her down the hallway from where Ben and his parents came from.
Ben held his arm out for Mal to follow the kids.
"I'll go get the rest of your things, Mally," Haden said.
"I'll help you," Adam said as he followed Haden to the private elevator.
Mal, Ben, and Belle followed Jackson and Melody down the hallway, while Haden and Adam went to the cars to get the rest of Mal's and Melody's stuff.
"Me and Dad worked on this all week," Jackson said as he stopped in front of a door.
Melody looked up at Ben who smiled down at her and then looked at her mom who raised her eyebrows at her. Melody started to get nervous and started to chew on her bottom lip.
"Hey," Ben said as he crouched down next to her. "I know that this is a big change for you, but I want you to know that Jackson and I are very happy to have you and your mom here. We don't want you to be nervous. Plus, your mommy told me that you can be a little shy, but you don't have to be around me, Jackson, my mom, or my dad."
Melody looked up at him through her long eyelashes, making Ben's heart melt from how beautiful they were. Just like her mother's, he thought.
"Deal?" he asked with a smile.
Melody's cheeks flushed pink and she smiled. "Deal, Benny," she said.
Ben smiled at the nickname. He was called many nicknames and he hated them all, but when Mal and Melody started calling him that a couple of days ago he didn't mind it.
"Good. Now, why don't you go on inside," he said as he nudged his head to the closed door.
He stood back up as Melody opened the door and gasped when she saw the room. The three adults followed the two kids into the room and Mal gasped when she saw the room. It was painted baby blue with gold bordered trimmings. There was a full sized bed with baby blue bedding, and golden accent pillows. The bed frame was a forest gold canopy bed with a white canopy over the top of the frame, and it had golf glitter flecks on the canopy. There was a beanbag chair in the corner of the room with a throw blanket and a stuffed dragon sitting on top of it. There was a small bookcase, and then above that was a small flat screen tv mantled to the wall.
Mal looked at the room and couldn't believe that Ben had done this for her daughter. He didn't even know her that well, and only knew of her for as long as she knew of him. She didn't know how she felt at first, moving her daughter from her home and into a stranger's home, but seeing how Ben was trying to make Melody feel comfortable made her feel better.
"This is a very pretty room," Melody said as she looked around.
"I'm glad you like it," Ben said. "Because it's yours."
Melody's eyes widened as she turned to Ben. "Really?" she asked.
Ben nodded his head, making Melody smile and run to him, wrapping her arms around his legs. The three adults laughed at her reaction, and it warmed Mal's heart to see her daughter getting along with her new boss.
"Wow," Haden said as he walked into the room with two boxes that said 'Melody' on them.
"Papa! This is my room! Benny and Jackson gave it to me!" she exclaimed.
"Come on Melody," Jackson said as he pulled Melody out of the room. "Let's go color outside."
"Wait," Mal said in a panic, but Ben grabbed her hand before she ran out of the room.
"They're going to the terrace," Ben said with a chuckle.
"Oh, okay," Mal said in relief.
"Come on," Ben said as he held his hand out to the door. "I'll show you where your room is."
"You could have put Melody and I in the same room," Mal said as she walked out of the room, leaving Adam and Haden to unload all of Melody's stuff from the boxes.
"That's not what I promised,' he said with a grin and he walked across the hall.
Mal shook her head and laughed as she looked at Belle and saw she was shaking her head and laughing too.
"You'll get used to his stubbornness," Belle whispered to Mal, making her chuckle.
The hallway was wide and had multiple doors that more than likely lead to other rooms, Mal had to assume.
He led them to a door that was 3 doors down from Melody's.
"This is your room," Ben said pointing at the door. "The door to the left is the kids bathroom, the door a little further down to the right is my room, and Jackson's room is the one next to Melody's. I hope that is okay?"
Mal nodded her head and gave Ben a small smile before they heard Jackson.
"Gammy! Can you come draw with us?"
"Duty calls," Belle said as she left Ben and Mal to go and draw with the kids.
"My mom already adores Melody," Ben said once his mom was out of ear shot.
Mal chuckled and shook her head, before turning her attention back to Ben.
"I feel that Melody is going to love your mom too," she said. "She seems great with kids."
"She is," Ben said as he leaned against the door. "I owe a lot to my parents for helping me with Jackson, especially while I was finishing school."
"It must have been hard on you," Mal said as she looked up at Ben.
"Yeah, it was. Especially during actual law school," he said.
"How did you do it?" Mal asked.
She never asked him how he did it during the conversations they had, but she had wondered.
Ben smirked at her before pushing himself off the door and opening the door to the room and nudging his head inside.
"Why don't I show you the room, and tell you exactly how I did it?" he said.
Mal smirked and then walked into the room with Ben following behind her. When she saw the room she was shocked to see what it looked like. The walls were painted a light shade of gray, with white painted boarderes, there was a king sized bed with lilac bedding, and the bed frame was a darker gray. There was a bigger flat screen mantled to the wall, and it was sitting above a dresser. The window was from floor to ceiling, and Mal couldn't help but look at the view.
The apartment was facing Central Park, and it looked like nothing but beautiful green trees.
"I know," Ben said as he walked up next to her. "It's a different world with this view. No traffic. No swarms of people trying to push their way through the crowds, but it's even more beautiful during the fall when the colors change. Maybe you can draw it," he said, making Mal turn to him.
"That's why you gave me this room? So, I could have a beautiful view to draw?" She asked, making Ben's cheek turn a little pink. "Thank you. You didn't have to do all of this, but I do really appreciate it."
"It was no problem at all. I want you two to feel comfortable," he said.
"So," Mal said. "How did you do all of this?" Mal asked as she held her hand out to the room and view.
"Like I said it wasn't easy," he said. "I always planned on getting done early so I could work at my dad's firm, but when Jackson came into the picture I had to work ten times harder. I finished all of my prerequisites and took my LSAT before he was born."
"That's a lot. How did you manage work?"
"I told my parents that I wanted to get done with school as fast as possible, they supported my decision so I didn't have a job. I doubled up on units and finished my BA. I was studying for finals when Katherine came and found me," he said.
"And Jackson was born in September," Mal noted, making Ben nod his head.
"I applied to take my LSAT in the summer, then all that was left was 3 years of law school and then the bar," he said with a smile. "My parents helped with Jackson. My mom would watch him when I was at school, my dad paid for sitters, but it also helped that he wasn't a fussy baby so he was with me when I was home and when I was studying. I wanted Jackson to have a good life, and that is why my parents helped me as much as they could," he finished.
"That's really great," Mal said. "You deserve the life you built."
"What about you?" He asked. "How did you raise that cutie?"
Mal chuckled and looked down at the ground. "Well, my experience wasn't as great as yours," she said. "I know I told you part of what happened during my 'interview'," she said, throwing air quotes up in the air, and making Ben laugh. "But like I said Harry and I were high school sweethearts, and during my senior year of college I got pregnant. When I graduated I told him that same day that I was pregnant, and he didn't react the way I was hoping he would have."
"What was his reaction?"
"He stared at me in shock and then started to laugh," Mal said. "He asked me if I was joking and when I said I wasn't he got pissed. He started screaming at me, telling me how stupid I was for getting pregnant, that I did it on purpose, that he wasn't even done with school because he kept changing his major, and that I needed to get rid of her."
"Well, obviously you didn't, and I'm glad because she is a wonderful girl."
"Thank you," Mal said with a smile as she thought of Melody. "He told me that needed to get rid of her, because there was no way he was ready for a kid. I told him that I wasn't going to get rid of her, and that's when he told me that he didn't want any part of her. He said that he would sign all his rights over to me and he would never be in contact. I was heartbroken at first because I thought he loved me, but apparently he didn't if he could make a decision like that so fast."
"I'm sorry," Ben said as he pulled Mal into a hug without thinking.
She stiffened at first, but then wrapped her arms loosely around his waist. She didn't know why, but she felt like she could trust Ben. Not just because he was her boss, or because he had a good reputation, but there was just something about him, and everytime Mal looked into his eyes she kind of melted.
"It's okay," Mal said as she pulled away to look up at him. "Melody is the best thing to happen to me. She was the thing to make me whole," she said with a smile. "I worked in a daycare for about two years. I was having a conversation with one of the parents, and was telling her how I used to be a nanny while I was in school. She asked me if I would consider nannying her kids and she and her husband offered me more than I was being paid at the school, but not as much as you are. Which is still ridiculous," she said with a chuckle, making Ben laugh too. "But after I nannied for them it was harder to find other nanny positions, until I found a position with the last family I worked for, and now there is you."
"Well, Jackson and I are very happy to have you both here," Ben said with a smile. "But again, I am sorry for what Harry did to you."
Mal shook her head. "It's in the past. He may want to see her now, but he has no right to. Melody doesn't want to see him, and if that's what she wants then I am going to respect her wishes. I just hope he doesn't try something."
"What do you mean?"
"He… he was abusive like I said before. He is very manipulative, hot tempered, and when he gets that way he doesn't control what he does," Mal said. "I'm afraid, because he moved back into the city. I'm afraid he might try to find Melody at school, the park, or anywhere and take her," she said.
"Hey," he said. "You don't have to worry about that at all. No one can pick her up from school other than you, me, your dad, my parents, and your friend Evie. Jackson is the same. No one can pick either of them up unless they are on the pickup list."
"I didn't know you did that," she said. "Thank you."
"I hope you don't mind that I added my parents on Melody's pickup list," he said. "I thought that it might just be a little easier if you wanted a day off or something," he said.
"No, no," Mal said, shaking her head. "That is perfectly fine."
"Mommy!" Melody yelled as she ran into Mal's room. "Papa and Benny's daddy need your keys," she said.
"Okay," Mal said as she reached into her pocket, pulled her keys out, and gave them to Melody.
Melody skipped out of the room, making the two adults laugh.
"We're having a birthday dinner for Melody later today if you four would like to join us," Mal said as she turned her attention back to Ben. "It's just going to be my dad, my sister Evie, her boyfriend, Melody, and I," she said.
"We would love to go."
"Auntie Evie!" Melody yelled as she ran to a woman in red heels, a blue dress, she had black hair with tints of blue, and red ruby lips.
She was standing next to a taller guy with brown hair, glasses, and his hair was pulled back into a low ponytail.
"There's my birthday girl!" Evie said as she crouched down to let Melody run into her open arms. "How was your day?" she asked as the remaining five adults and Jackson walked over to them.
"It was great! Benny gave me and mommy rooms, and mine is blue and gold!" she said in excitement.
"Really?" Evie asked as she squeezed Melody's hands. "How exciting."
Melody smiled at Evie before looking up at Doug.
"Hi, Dougy," Melody said as she wrapped her arms around his legs.
"Hello, Melody," Doug said as he picked Melody up and tossed her in the air. "Happy birthday! How old are you now? 4?" he asked.
"I'm 6," Melody said with a laugh.
"No you're not," Doug said as he tickled Melody, making her squirm.
"E," Mal said as she took Evie's hand. "This is Ben, his parents Adam and Belle, and then the little cutie is Jackson," Mal said as she introduced Evie to Ben and the others. "Ben, Adam, Belle, and Jackson. This is my friend and sister Evie," she said.
Evie smiled and then when she saw Ben she couldn't help but smirk at him and she looked him up and down, before looking back at Mal. when Mal looked at Evie she couldn't help but shake her head at her best friend, knowing what she was thinking.
"Ben," Evie said as she held her hand out to him. "It is very nice to meet you. Mal has…"
"Doug!" Mal exclaimed as interrupted Evie. "Ben, this is Evie's boyfriend Doug," she said as Ben and Doug shook hands.
Evie and Mal walked over to Haden and Mal couldn't help but nudge Evie with her shoulder.
"Evie," Haden said in a not so scolding tone. "That's not very nice."
"She did the same to me with Doug, and look where Doug and I are now," she said with a smirk.
"He's my boss," Mal whispered so no one but the three of them could hear.
"Yesh, your very hot boss," she said, making Haden and Mal laugh out loud.
"That was a nice evening," Ben said as he and Mal carried their sleeping children into the apartment.
"It was. I just wish Evie didn't buy Melody so much, because now I have to lug all of that in," she said as they walked down the hallway, toward the kids' rooms.
"Don't worry. I'll put Jackson down and then I'll go and get all of it while you put Melody in bed."
"I'll help you once I'm done," Mal said as she stopped in front of Melody's door.
"Okay," Ben said as they both walked into the other kids' rooms.
Ben laid Jackson down on the bed and Jackson curled up into a ball, making Ben laugh. Whenever Jackson did that, that was his way of saying he was too tired to change. Ben rubbed Jackson's back before walking out of his room and slightly closing the door. When he turned he heard singing coming from Melody's room.
Baby mine,
Don't you cry,
Baby mine,
Close your eyes,
Rest your head,
Close to my heart,
Never to part,
Baby of mine,
Your so precious to me,
Sweet as can be,
Baby of mine.
He saw Mal brushing Melody's hair out of her face as she sat on the edge of the bed, and singing softly to the little girl. Ben smiled softly before he turned to get all of the gifts from the car. He didn't know where Mal wanted them so when he brought the first load in he placed them on the dining table. Mal didn't come back to help, but he didn't mind. When he brought the last load in he placed them on the table, and walked toward the hallway. When he was halfway down Jackson and Melody's bathroom door opened and Mal came out, not noticing Ben was behind her, and she was carrying a sleeping Jackson in her arms. He was changed in his pajamas and hugging Mal like she was going to leave him. She walked into his room and Ben peeked in just as Mal pulled his covers over him. Jackson held on to Mal's hand, making her smile and run her fingers through his hair.
Tale as old as time,
True as it can be,
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends,
Unexpectedly.
Just a little change,
Small to say the least,
Both a little scared,
Neither one prepared,
Beauty and the Beast.
Ben saw Jackson's hand loosen on Mal's, and then she leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. Before she saw Ben lurking on them he quietly made his way to his room to get ready for bed. When he jumped into bed he smiled, looking up at his ceiling. He made a good decision in picking Mal. He was happy with how comfortable Jackson was with her and Melody, and he hoped that they would be around for longer than the other nannies. A guy can dream right, he thought before he drifted off to sleep.
Again please let me know what you think!
Until next time my lovies! xoxo GM
