Chapter 26

Meg woke early and chatted happily with her family over breakfast and then when Robert came to pick her up there were hugs and kisses with promises to email as soon as she got back. She felt as though the drive to the airport was taking forever, though perhaps that was good as along with Robert's comfortable silence beside her it allowed her to regain her composure. She wiped another tear from her eyes relieved they had not started before she left the apartment, her family would have been worried.

She could not place the reason for the tears or the feeling she had that she was breaking ties and closing a chapter. The apartment was still hers and would be in good hands … be loved and give love. She had not found that elusive home feeling here again so the going away was harder and the town had lost the sinister feeling she had on arrival. It now felt more like a pleasant place to come and visit, a place with mixed memories … a part of her growing up into the woman she was now ... a bit like if she visited her old farm and town. She chided herself because she knew she would be coming back again for visits and they need not be short ones of a day either. It was still her family's home and she would cope better the next time and he had kept his distance was not a threat so this was not a final farewell. So there should not be tears.

Eventually the car stopped and fully settled Meg got her overnight bag then walked beside Robert through the airport lounge to the door out on to the runway for private flights. She stopped short when she saw Ben standing by the VIP lounge and Robert whispered. "I'll be close by." and walked over to the reception desk.

She watched Ben walk over to her with a concerned smile, stop in front of her and heard his gently. "Tears Meg, you're not leaving for good are you? Not because of me surely."

She gave a soft broken laugh and said gently but firmly. "No I'm not leaving because of you Ben. We were over a long time before I left Sunset Beach. I'm leaving because I want to, my choice and tears … well why not. Now go back to Maria and your beautiful children they need you and love you."

His smile did not flicker, not visibly to anyone passing by - they would have thought he was the same caring Ben Evans chatting to a friend. But it had changed in the eyes, which were the entrance to his soul just as they were the entrance to his twin's soul. She had not recognised it in the warehouse where he had seduced her while her soulmate powerlessly looked on, knowing that one warning sound would have been the death of her. This time she was wiser and knew the difference could even feel the longing in him; see him mentally laughing at her because he knew something she did not.

Well they both could play at that game, and she had Robert close by, whom she had no doubt could play nasty if needed. She breathed carefully, schooled her face and her heart ready to listen to his words. Noticing as he said her name he became her soulmate because he called her in the same loving way his twin did. But any rush of emotion didn't come because she remembered the strands of white hair founded in shock. The twins could never look the same again just sound it. The flicker of thought never touched her eyes, which showed that she was listening with care to a friend who speaking.

"Meg, … I know what you said about the deal but when you passed me you looked disturbed and I was worried that our memories might set you running again. I could not say anything then too many people around but I always valued our love and those precious times together, especially at the Casita and Santa Barbara, I cannot forget them. I valued your love as much as you value mine … all I ever wanted was for you to be happy." His voice was softer more caring as he carried on. "Meg, I need to know you are happy that it's not just a put up job … a front for your family and friends. … After all I know what you gave up for your family's love Meg."

She felt sick at the mention of her memories and love, tried to smile hoping it looked right it certainly did not feel it. To her surprise her voice was steady and tender not harsh at all as she answered him straight away. "I value my memories and family, and I am happy. Of course the memories were all around me last night so much happened at The Deep and Sunset Beach it's all part of the person I am now." She glanced around her as she carried on. "I didn't see my parents hovering anxiously last night nor now so why should you … we are casual friends nothing more Ben. I left The Deep last night because Robert needed my help and I see Vanessa got her scoop that must have given the Editor a very late night. Now I really must go Robert has a meeting to go to."

Instead of moving away from her Ben moved in towards her and raised his hand so it nearly brushed her face, she stepped back keeping her eyes on him and her voice soft but firm. "No! Not a good idea Ben. You decided the rules with the letter you sent me. You said you wanted me to be happy and I shall be, lots of families live apart because they want to. You have a loving wife, a beautiful baby daughter and son who is growing up to be a fine lad so go back to them and forget me. Don't pester my family with questions it would be very unfair, and you were never that Ben."

For a moment longer his eyes seemed to bore into her soul then she heard a gentle cough from Robert and suddenly there was gentleness in the eyes and he was back to Ben as she knew him. It sent a shiver down her spine, which she hoped was hidden by her turn towards Robert as if checking he was all right.

Ben also turned towards Robert and said easily. "Take care of her Robert."

In a quick easy movement Robert was by her side with a hand on her arm as he said "Ben" with a nod of his head as a friendly dismissal.

Meg felt Robert guide her silently to the plane and only half heard his greeting to the pilot as they entered the plane. "Morning. We need to cover our tracks so we'll stop at Seattle then plan which is best, unscheduled stops or different planes, either way I must in Boston on time.

The pilot's smile turned serious as he nodded and went to the cockpit.

As she found her seat and settled in Robert sat beside her and said gently "It will be all right you did well. … He does not know the truth … he still thinks he's got one over you." Robert sighed as he relaxed. "I've never seen anyone change so quickly and so easily if I hadn't known the signs I would have missed it. … I have no doubt he's done it most of his life … to friends and family, it's no wonder his brother was worried."

Meg ran her fingers though her hair and let the shiver run through her, feeling her nerves start to steady down. She looked out the window as the plane taxied out to the runway wanting to get as far away from Sunset Beach as quickly as possible. Also really realising for the first time that she could not come back for visits as she hoped, he had unknowingly shown her she was a target and she said almost to herself. "John was right all along. …I … I can't stay here anymore can I."

Robert nodded his agreement knowing she needed to hear the truth confirmed. "No you can't … nor can you stay away for the birth of the twins."

Meg looked at him in surprise and he carried on gently. "You are still too close a family to have you stay away at such a special occasion. He would wonder and come after you he has money and time in spite of his love for Maria and children. Your staying away from Sunset Beach must be natural and have good grounds. We can work on that as well as introduce your friendship to John. As for the birth of the twins Mat and I will be nearby just like this time. You will have good reason to stay close to your family then after that it will have to be flying visits perhaps 24 hours either Mat or I will be available each time Meg."

"It's not fair on you or Mat." She sighed realising the truth and accepting it.

He smiled and said gently "I'm in and out of Sunset Beach anyway and who said life was fair Meg … interesting and different maybe." She gave a slight smile and a shake of her head; he could always lift her spirits and carried on listening. "Think of the fact he has not really won … you have your soulmate and life. … Didn't he just say he wanted you to be happy? And you will be."

She gave a chuckle "Yes he did. But what about Bette and the others who don't know the truth."

He became serious but still gentle. "They see a caring man, hopefully he will stay that way he loves Maria and his family and you love John. You never know with Samantha growing up the obsession for you might wan but we cannot bank on it. Just wait and see what happens at the birth of the twins at least we will know what to expect and work our way around it."

As Meg sighed and started to relax the engines came onto full power, she was going home to be with her soulmate and that was good enough.

oxoxo

They were in the air and Robert was sorting out the tea when his phone rang he answered and listened "Yes showed his true colours though they were well disguised and Meg's okay" He listened again then chuckled. "Thanks Mat. I'll be in touch you take care now." He put the phone down and collected the cups and put one in front of Meg then sat down.

"Well" Meg said slightly crossly as his grin was ear to ear and his eyes sparkled.

Robert shook his head then took pity on her. "Mat rang to say Ben's car trouble last night was a fake but he's got car trouble now. ... Sorry … back to last night. His entrance at The Deep was a set up. I don't mean Samantha's crying was deliberate, that was the icing on the cake. All he needed was her in his arms as he walked down the stairs to that music ... both done to unsettle you. …How do we know about the car bit … well Mat spotted him driving it and it was healthy. Timing …Umm perhaps Maria had a two-way or one way, you know they can be disguised as brooches; she might not have know anything about it he listened in and knew the order of the music. Or she could have given the word but that might have been difficult with people around. As for why … well to give him that extra kick when he spoke to you and a reason to see you in the privacy of the airport and play the concerned friend."

Meg shivered remembering her first reaction to Maria in the Shock Wave and said gently. "The kids."

Robert smiled "They should be fine; funnily enough they have two very loving parents. Of course we don't know how much Ben actually told Maria in September. … We do know he's capable of saying one thing and doing another. As far as anybody knows she still has a blank memory regarding Seattle and Tess has never spoken of it for that reason. So she could still believe he is Ben. Sorry Meg we still have to call him Ben no double thinking not even now."

Meg gave a nod accepting his words and he gave a gentle laugh and carried on. "Okay …at the airport this morning. … Mat was watching." Seeing the flicker reassured her. "It's okay he was very careful … just after we walked out to our plane Ben started over to private flight desk no doubt to find out where we were going but was stopped by one of the car parking staff. After a couple of heated words from both parties Ben rushed off. Mat followed got there in time to see Ben's car up on a flatbed truck and one very frustrated owner looking at piece of paper.

Apparently in his hast to beat us to the airport he parked just off the parking zone, you know front part in and the rear out of it, got clamped and towed away. Bet that will mess up his morning after all it's a long walk or taxi ride to the car pound … and then there's the paper work and the steep fine. Perhaps that will make him think twice about coming on to you."

Meg laughed then looked at Robert and asked. "Mat wouldn't would he?"

Robert grinned. "They are pretty hot about parking … he does know the car. But no I don't think he would, … nice thought though. Drink your tea before it gets cold."

She nodded smiling sighed "Yes Mum " and drank her tea; Robert shook his head and drank his glad to know she was over the shock of the meeting and knew he'd have to do some rethinking.