Chapter 21

Meg's room at Surf Central was in organised chaos – packing boxes everywhere and the shelves nearly empty. She was packing her things, she huffed, Ben had managed his earlier then got called away to The Deep, and time was passing, the men would be here early evening, and she still had these books to pack. She picked up a couple of the offending articles and looked at the nearly full box, then back at the books to see if she could leave them, and got lost in the memories of the past two months. The books were new and from the magical time as she and Ben got to know each other again, so she couldn't leave them. Though she was more relaxed when Ben was away from her as he was back to his old confident self, and thankfully the flashbacks and nightmares were less frequent and less frightening. And saw again the small family service they'd held at the Mission for Tess and Tim, and had laid a bouquet of flowers by niche for the captain, those experiences felt like a dream as well. Unconsciously she gave a gentle sigh of pleasure, with a hint of sadness as tonight she was leaving more memories to move to their new house on the edge of town, and then begin new ones. She smiled remembering Ben's insistence that they'd take this bed instead of buying a new one, as she hesitated saying yes, knowing it wasn't the best even if comfortable, he'd given the slow smile that she loved and said it had good memories, and that had lead to…..

She jumped dropping the books as the doorbell broke through her daydream. She let the books lie as she ran to down the stairs to open the door, hoping he was back to help her finish and wondering why he hadn't used his key. Then felt a wave of disappointment on opening the door, and finding a very embarrassed looking Casey on the door step.

As realisation struck her she exclaimed with a laugh. "Casey! Oh really!"

Casey smiled saying hastily passing the buck. "Blame it on your sister. She made me rush this morning so I forgot my keys. Didn't even think to look for them otherwise I would have stopped at the shop and got hers."

Meg cut in cheekily remembering the rush. "Strange, she claimed you were the culprit as she flew out the door." Then added seriously. "Have you forgotten something else?"

Casey knew he deserved that and said "No, but I've a message from Ben, could you see him at The Deep immediately."

Anxiety flashed through her as she asked. "Is he all right?"

Still smiling Casey replied "He's fine, he wants to show you something and being lazy asked me to come over. I'll drive, you're okay as you are, but make sure you have the key or we will both be locked out!"

She giggled and made a point of showing him the keys as she dropped them in her bag, which she'd left on the chair so she wouldn't pack it, and followed him everything else forgotten.

After a silent drive he dropped her off at The Deep, and as he drove away wished he could be a fly on the wall, but knew he had a job to finish and knew the old Ben Evans was well and truly back.

Meg stood at the top of the main stairs and looked across the bar and dance floor of The Deep. Her heart was racing with a mixture of anxiety and excitement, she'd had a feeling he was up to something when he left her to finish her packing alone. Now, with the lights shining making a pool of light in the middle of the floor, she knew he was. For a split second she thought he stood in the spot light, but the man turned and she recognised Roger who smiled saying. "Meg, Ben is in the cellar at the moment, could you go into the office there's something he wants you to try on. I'm trying out the new lighting out for tonight's private dance."

Meg smiled and nodded, so this was what he was thinking about and went into the office and stopped. Lying on the sofa was a sleeveless, full length deep blue gown with very small blue glass beads sew into a delicate pattern on the bodice, so it shimmered in the light. It took her breath away. Her heart was beating wildly in anticipation knowing what his surprises used to be like. Carefully she slipped it on, along with a pair of high heeled dark blue shoes - everything fitted perfectly. She thanked the stars she'd had her hair done first thing, and using the ribbon on the table tied it round the small ponytail that kept her hair from falling over her face, and let the rest hang free around her shoulders. She smiled as she used her 'make up' bag, she hadn't missed earlier, and realised Casey must have known what was going on.

She stood in front of the mirror feeling amazed and on top of the world, knowing that her Ben was back, and there was a funny feeling that she knew the dress. It felt so right and fitted so well and yet she'd never seen it before she was sure.

Music drifted up from the dance floor and stopped her thoughts, so she went over to the door and opened it. Standing for a moment in the door way looking down she saw Ben standing looking back at her. As she started walking down the steps she smiled, she couldn't help it, she could feel the warmth of that slow smile of his as he watched her, and felt transported to that magical place that only he could send her.

Even so, she recognised the music and knew the lighting was beautiful and unlike the usual spotlight. The light seemed to go through jewels of different colours and then tumble into the spotlight in the middle of the room. She watched him walk through the colours towards her, so they met as she reached the last step where he gently took her hand and helped her down.

Ben's heart had flipped as he watched her walk down the stairs, and taking her hand he knew everything had been more than worthwhile, her eyes were sparkling with love no anxiety showed at all. And was lost as his eyes met hers - he hardly knew he gently reached out with his free hand and gently tilted her head so they could kiss, till he felt the warmth of her lips on his.

The tingle of their connection mingled with the kiss said everything that was needed.

Gently she felt him break away and then smiling he gently spun her round so he could look at her. She loved the feeling and when she came to face him again, she curtsied slightly and he gave a slight bow then took her hand and led her to a table nearby.

Ben feeling the ripple of excitement run through both of them teased her gently. "I wanted the perfect model to dance with while we try out these new lights, so we don't have any complaints from our precious customers."

Meg gave a gently laugh accepting the tease, knowing there was more as the music changed to their song, and she'd seen glasses with chilled wine and two velvet boxes on the table that had not been there earlier.

Ben knew she knew and picked the smallest one up and opened it, and with all the love he was feeling said gently. "I know we've been through this before. But my feelings though hidden some times have never changed Meg. I love you with all my heart and soul forever and a day. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

He watched as she looked at him and then the ring then back at him, and saw the answer in her eyes and smile, and heard it in her gentle loving voice. "Yes with all my heart and soul." She held out her hand and he slipped the ring on, and looked at her and knew there was only one thing to do now and kissed her.

As they broke away Meg felt herself being gently guided so she faced away from him, but felt his body close behind her while his gentle voice said. "There is present I gave you the day we married and I would like to put them on you again. I have always considered myself your husband since that day, although I might not have been beside you all the time. I will never leave you in that way again."

She felt a ripple of emotion run through her as she listened, and nodded knowing her voice would let her down. She felt his body move as he got those peals, and his gentle touch as he put them round her neck, then clipped them together. For a second she wondered if history would repeat itself and they would break and go flying. They didn't, and she felt him gently spin her round so she faced him. As she stopped she took a step back and smiled, she could see the love and admiration in his smile, and knew they looked as perfect as they felt on her.

Ben gently leant forward and kissed her on her forehead and heard her gentle laugh, then he said softly. "Let's drink to our engagement and our future."

With her beside him he poured their favourite chilled wine, and handed her her glass then as they raised their glasses they both said "To us."

They really didn't need words, the brightness of their eyes and smiles to each other said so much more as they drank to each other.

When the music changed they put down their empty glasses and she let him lead, then dance her through the tumbling pastel colours and into the spotlight. With his arms around her she let the music and emotions take hold, and wanting to stay here forever she said wistfully knowing it wasn't possible. "The perfect ending would be to marry you now. … today ….."

Ben smiled, though she couldn't see it and said gently "Your wish is my command." just as the music changed again, and felt a slight shiver go down his spine. For the first time he realised why he'd had loved the dress she wore. This was his dream in the basement before he'd been rudely kicked awake after he'd spoken to her, so never knew the rest. And wondered if she'd had it too and realised she'd never heard his words so listened to hers.

She'd heard his voice, but not the words as she was so far back in her own memories "…as in my dream. I was here dancing with you, friends and family around us. I could feel you so strongly. It was our wedding and my dress was unusual and beautiful, it was white satin with a dark blue under skirt that showed as I danced with you. As this music played we danced and you told me you loved me, but then we got split up amongst family and friends and I could not find you again. Where did you go?"

He gave a gentle laugh knowing their dreams had linked, only hers had continued and said gently hoping it wouldn't spoil things. "I went back to Seattle and Tim came by, but now we can continue the dream and make it true."

Realising his words she said "No, we've nothing arranged family and friends" then smiled adding "Though it would be nice."

He smiled and said, wondering if she would remember and realise. "We have always broken rules, are you willing to break another..."

She looked puzzled for a moment wondering what he was talking about, and heard him continue. "By turning round and accepting your mother's gift, and being here with me before we are married again."

Meg turned round so her back was to him, but kept his arms around her and gasping with delight at his words, saw her mother followed by Sara and her father walk down the main stairs onto the dance floor, all three looked proud and happy.

She saw her mother was carrying a white soft silk satin full-length coatdress. It had a white lace collar, with pearls along the edges of the cuffs and where the bodice met, and it cut so the blue of her dress would show when she walked or danced, only she didn't know that yet.

Silently not wanting to break the spell Sara came to her side. She was dressed in a simple fitted light blue silk satin dress, which made her looked beautiful and carried two bouquets of white and gold roses for herself and Meg.

Meg found her voice, and exclaimed as her mother was in front of her. "That's the dress! I thought it was one dress not two. Oh Ben!"

In an excited daze and with her mother's help she put it on, while Ben knowing they'd never really left each even in the worst of times said gently. "I saw the dress in a magazine and immediately thought of you and a dream I had, only I saw you in the blue dress and we danced alone here in the Deep to the music, and you looked so beautiful. Now we can join the two halves of the dream together, permanently."

Meg turned back to Ben, looking stunning but puzzled.

His voice cracked with emotion as he explained. "I thought we could be different, and the Judge agreed we can have a civil wedding here, and Antonio will say a pray and bless it. Or we can wait and have it at the Mission tomorrow morning. You remember the hotel in Santa Barbara we loved so much." She nodded her head too full for words. "I've booked their honeymoon suite from tonight onwards for a week."

She could hardly breathe and was surprised as she heard her voice softly say what her heart felt. "Here now, in the place we both love and belong, and with the people we love. Thank you."

She stood on tiptoe to kiss him properly only stopping the kiss when she felt a hand on her arm.

She broke away to find her father smiling at her and his gentle firm voice say. "You need the service first Meg. Can I lead you in?"

She smiled and nodded and took her flowers from Sara, her mind in heaven but wondering where it was going to be, there was no one here but her family. She saw Casey come over from the bar area, now smartly dress, he bowed and kissed her then took his place in front of her and beside Ben, then led the group over to the restaurant area.

As she walked, she realised as he opened the doors ahead of them, the tables were decorated with flowers with a main table at the top of the room ready for the service, and all their friends and Antonio were waiting. Somehow they must have crept in the back way as Ben had asked her.

She felt her father gently hold her back to let Casey, Ben and her mother take their places. Letting things settle Hank looked at his daughter, filled with pride and love said "I know how much you love him and you will be happy with him."

She smiled and nodded, and they walked slowly in past their friends with Sara following ready to take her flowers. Hank came to the table and stopped, he took Meg's hand and stepped across to Ben and took his then said. "I am proud to hand my daughter over to you as I know you will give her all your love."

He released them both and found his seat beside Joan and feeling her hand on his arm he turned and smiled at her. This time there were no reservations, he knew whatever the future held they would be there for everyone. He listened as Ben and Meg exchange rings and smiled remembering his own wedding to his soulmate and friend, and hoped they would be as happy as they were.

With clapping and cheers Meg and Ben carried on kissing as they were introduced as Mr and Mrs Evans, then reluctantly broke a part to walk with their friends into the dance area. They danced in the spotlight as their song played, not caring that everyone was watching, as the music changed everyone gradually took their partners and joined them.

Meg happy and contented in his arms said quietly so no one else would hear. "You took a risk. I might have said no."

His laugh was gentle and answered. "No risk. I knew you'd do anything to get out of finishing the packing and unpacking."

She laughed "Ben!"

He carried on. "Sara and Casey's wedding present to us is to finish and then unpack everything, including setting up our favourite bed from Surf Central for when we get back... How about Venice next year with the whole family."

Through her giggles she managed to say. "Sounds good." Anything else was silenced by a kiss.