Families
Chapter 18
Ben and Meg spend most of the morning in bed. They ordered room service for breakfast. When Ben was up opening for the waiter he brought his present for Meg over.
"I was wondering what that was last night, but someone distracted me from asking" Meg kissed her husband before opening it up.
The wooden figure inside looked like a man and woman hugging.
"You have made this yourself, haven't you?" Meg asked.
"Yes, many years ago. I had mom bring it here for you" Ben looked her deeply in the eyes.
"I have something for you too" Meg got out of bed and started rumbling in her suitcase "Here it is" she handed him a square gift.
Ben opened it and took out a golden chain, he looked at Meg.
"Sometimes your, our job isn't suitable for hand jewelery so I bought you that chain so you could keep the ring around your neck" Meg sat on her knees.
"Thank you" Ben smiled and pulled her down for a kiss. Meg laughed when he rolled her over on her back.
"We'll be late for the luncheon" Meg said.
"Don't you think they count on that, we are after all newly weds" Ben said all manners thrown out of his head only thinking of one thing. He kissed his way down her neck, lingered a bit at her breasts before he went on.
"Ben, oh yeah" Meg moaned satisfied when his tongue found her sensitive spot.
She was already wet and ready for him but Ben took his time. Much as she had when he had woken up by her touches and kisses around four in the morning.
The luncheon was set for two in the afternoon as some of the invited guests had to fly back home in the early evening. Ray was the first one who spotted Ben and Meg and clanged the glass he had in his hand and got up to the top of the stairs leading out into the Thatcher's garden.
"Everyone, let me introduce to you Mr and Mrs Benton Fraser" Ray lent towards Meg "You are a Fraser or?"
Meg smiled "Yes I am" she held Ben's hand tightly.
Both Ben and Meg chose a glass of orange juice instead of the champagne. The food was a buffet and there were tables and chairs placed a bit all over the garden. Ben and Meg mingled around a bit, ending up at Mark's table.
"I never thought I'd see this day" Mark said "Ben Fraser getting married, but again I never thought you leave the north either"
"That was not my own choice" Ben said "But marrying Meg was, and who knows we might get back home for the next post" Ben had heard some rumors that they needed someone younger in a few years.
Mark looked at Meg "Would you accept that?"
"Actually I think I would, I truly hope they won't post us at different places and the north is home for Ben and where he is is home for me" Meg put her hand on Ben's arm "Besides I remember my years there as a child fondly, especially when I got to play with you all"
"It was great then but I wouldn't want to go back" Mark said.
"Are you sure?" Ben asked "I mean you can't have many years left playing"
Mark shook his head "True, bur I've been offered an assistant coach position so I'm staying a while more in Toronto"
"Congratulations my friend" Ben said.
"Thanks" Mark took a sip of his beer.
It was strange, they had been best friends for over thirty years, keeping in touch now and then but now it seemed that the only thing they had in common was growing up. Ben hoped he and Meg would get a chance to go back home but Mark seemed happy being in the big city. Well Julie was a city person now too, luckily for Lillian and Buck Stu had returned after university.
Ben looked around and saw his sister with the girls. He excused himself and walked over to them. Quickly he swept Sarah up in his arms "Hi there kiddo" he said and tickled her.
"Hi uncle Ben" Sarah squirmed in his arms and Ben stopped tickling her.
"Do you like the dress?" Ben asked as she had on the same dress as yesterday.
She nodded intensively "Yes I do. Aunt Meg paid it even if mommy said no" Sarah said.
Ben got all warm inside when he heard his niece call Meg her aunt. He hugged the child tightly.
"I think you should let go a bit Ben" his sister came up to his side.
"She called Meg her aunt" Ben said looking at Becky.
"Well isn't she her aunt, I mean even for real now" Becky wondered what was wrong with her always sharp minded brother. "I've heard of pregnant women getting a mushy brain, not that I think Meg will but never expecting fathers" she laughed.
"Of course Meg is but I just got happy hearing her say it" Ben answered his sister.
Meg had been talking to some relatives when Frannie came up to her "I hate to say it but it's time for us to return to Chicago" she said.
"Already? Well it can't be helped can it?" Meg hugged her friend "I'm so grateful for all the help you've provided these last months. You've been a great friend although we don't know each other that well"
"Thank you" Frannie said "It's been my pleasure. I hope you and Ben get a great honey moon and when you're back we'll catch up on everything. I'll be dying to see all photos" she added.
Meg felt happy, she had a friend who wanted to share things with her.
Ray and Turnbull also said their good byes. Then a few more people started to drop off. The families from North were staying one more night and they were all meeting for dinner. Ben and Meg returned to the hotel to rest and pack. Tomorrow morning they were first dropping by the Depot before they were to drive towards Quebec and finally end up in Newfoundland.
Meg was happy they hadn't gotten a lot of stuff as gifts but money or gift certificates so they could buy what they needed when they needed, it also made the packing easily.
Ben felt totally relax laying on his back on the bed reading a book when he felt the bed move. Meg's head showed up between his arms under the book.
"Hi husband" Meg smiled at him "Interesting reading?" she asked.
"As a matter of fact it is, I'm reading about" that's when Meg cut him off with a kiss.
"You're supposed to say 'Hi wife, no it's not' " Meg instructed him.
"But that would be lying" Ben said and put the book mark into the book.
"I wouldn't mind, you are suppose to drop everything when your new wife wants something" Meg said and nuzzled his neck.
"Oh I am, aren't I?" Ben rolled her over on her back and kissed her softly "So, what's this something you wanted this time" he said teasingly as he knew exactly what she wanted.
Meg's hands started working on the button of Ben's trousers "I want you. All of you" she whispered in his ear.
"I love you so much Meg Fraser" Ben said before he drifted off to sleep when they had made love.
"I love you too" Meg whispered in his ear as she laid her head on his shoulder.
Ben and Meg drove around the Canadian landscape for about two weeks before they returned to Chicago and the everyday life as they knew it. It was back to normal at once with reports, sentry duty and Ben working with Ray on some police case. Meg spent some time with Frannie.
Ben woke up later than Meg one morning in the middle of September, he had been out with Ray until late or if you prefer early hours. Meg slammed the bathroom door shut. Ben got out of bed and carefully walked into the kitchen. He knew there were people coming from the head office in Ottawa today.
"Good morning" Ben lent on the door frame.
"Is it?" Meg turned towards him. She had on her uniform trousers but she hadn't been able to button them.
Ben knew exactly why she was in a bad mood. He took a rubber band hanging on a hook in the kitchen, secured it in the buttonhole and the pulled it around the button. He kissed her softly on the cheek. "Better?" he asked.
Meg nodded fighting to hold back her tears, Ben always had these little tricks up his sleeve. "Thank you" she said and sat down with her cup of tea and slice of toast "Did you and Ray have a productive night?"
"Yes we did, I'm sorry I got in so late" Ben said.
"No apology necessary. I managed to catch up on a few things" Meg said. She hated taking work with her home but some days she needed to take a nap in the afternoon. "You do remember the people from Ottawa coming today" she said.
"Yes, Sir" sometimes Ben forgot they were at home when they talked about work things and when Meg laughed he looked at her "Did I just call you Sir?" Meg nodded "Well I guess the baby's first word will be just that since I seem to call you it all the time"
"No way, we better start calling each other mother and father" Meg said.
"Or mum and dad" Ben said not knowing what it would lead to.
"No it will be mother and father it's more respectful" Meg said and looked at Ben with what he had heard Ray call the "Ice-queen look".
"You know what, we don't have to discuss that now" Ben out on his diplomatic mood, he hated fighting, especially with Meg.
Meg sighed, Ben always caved in, he never put up a fight.
"Let me just shower and dress and then we can leave" Ben said. Most mornings they walked to the Consulate together. Ben had never been one for driving when not necessary and Meg wanted to keep as fit as possible during the pregnancy.
"That sounds like a good idea, I want to be there in good time for the meeting at ten" Meg agreed and as she heard the shower start she shouted through the door "Did you change sentry duty with Turnbull so he's doing the morning shift today?"
"Yes" Ben called back "I know we need to discuss what will happen when the baby's born" he really hoped Ottawa was sending his father's old friend Charlie this time. When the officials had been down to discuss things around the wedding it had been one really grouchy desk clerk. He quickly rinsed shampoo and soap off his body and stepped out. After drying off he swept a towel around his waist and walked over to the bedroom. Meg was just buttoning her tunic.
"At least this till fist" she said and looked in the mirror "I think I need to take Frannie up on that shopping spree after all"
Ben smiled at her in the mirror "You and Frannie have really gotten close lately, I'm happy for you" he couldn't resist lifting the hair that fell in the back and kiss her at the nape of her neck.
"Mmm" Meg moaned feeling his soft lips on her skin.
Five minutes later Ben was dressed to perfection, not even the lanyard hung crocked. He picked up the keys and called for Diefenbaker to come along. Meg picked up her purse and briefcase.
"Do you want me to carry it?" Ben asked politely.
"No" Meg smiled at him "I can do it myself, it's not heavy today" she had only brought papers back last night not the laptop.
"OK, let's leave" Ben said and locked the door behind them.
It was a sight, two Mounties walking along the streets of Chicago both wearing red serge. It wasn't that often Meg wore hers but today was one of those days that required it.
Ben sat down to do his reports at the front desk since Turnbull was a sentry duty. He had just two words left to write when he heard the door handle move. He finished as he stood up "Welcome to the Canadian Consulate" he said and first the looked up. He stood to attention and saluted the higher officer "Superintendent Underhill it's a pleasure to welcome you to our little bit of Chicago"
"As you were" Charlie Underhill said "It's nice to see you constable Fraser, or can I call you Benton?"
"Any will do" Ben said "Let me tell the Inspector that you have arrived" Ben picked the phone up and pushed the intercom for Meg's office, she said she'd be right out "Thank you, Sir" Ben held to the protocol at work.
"I hope you don't call her Sir at home" Charlie said.
"It happens" Ben made a face "As a matter of fact as late as this morning"
Charlie laughed "You are so alike your father Benton. How is he by the way, I understand that he and Buck still patrol the north"
"Yes, Sir they do. I believe they will until they drop dead on the spot so to say" Ben filled in.
Meg came out of her office buttoning her bottom button of her tunic, she had loosened them when she sat down.
"Good morning Superintendent Underhill" Meg held out her hand.
"Good morning Inspector Fraser" Charlie said and Meg smiled, she loved hearing her new name.
"Let's step inside my office, can I offer you anything, coffee or tea perhaps?" Meg asked.
"Some coffee would be nice" Charlie said and looked at Ben "I hope you will be in on this meeting too"
"Yes, Sir I just need to fix with that coffee" He looked at Meg "Tea for you, Sir?"
"Yes please Ben...Constable Fraser" Meg corrected herself.
"It can't be easy separating work and private life?" Charlie sat down in one of the visitor's chairs.
"No not always but I believe we are managing well, so far it's only been a few slip ups and only here in the consulate with maybe constable Turnbull overhearing" Meg said.
"So Meg, may I call you Meg?" Charlie asked and Meg nodded her approval "Have you yet considered how long time you want off after your baby is born and what you want to do when the time's up"
"I take it I'm under the normal Canadian system that allows me, or Ben if he wants to,
take a leave up to 52 weeks" Charlie nodded "Good, and for after my leave I would much like to get back to duty. It's not like I'm out on the field so I believe it would work out" Meg said just as Ben arrived with coffee, tea and some fresh scones.
"I believe constable Turnbull was in early to bake today" Ben put the tray down.
"I got the impression from Meg that you might want to take some of the parental leave" Charlie smeared some butter and jam on his piece of scone.
"Yes I would, that is if it's possible. Officially I'm in active duty and maybe it won't be possible then" Ben said.
"That's true Benton, but unfortunately it doesn't look very promising for a return to Canada for you at the moment" Charlie looked at his friend's son and saw the disappointment "I hate it as much as you Benton, you're a great officer to have in the north well trained by your own father and Buck Frobisher"
"Thank you, Sir" Ben accepted the approval.
"So it's my belief that if you send in the proper paperwork we can approve your leave" Charlie said "I would like for you to send it in as soon as possible so we can send a temporary Inspector down. It would be preferable that he or she worked by your side for a short while" he looked at Meg "Then we would very much like to have you back Meg, there have never been a late report since you arrived to Chicago"
"Thank you, Sir" Meg said.
"Oh please both of you call me Charlie, I've known Benton here since he was a little boy" Charlie said.
"Very well then..Charlie" Meg had to pause as she was about to call him Sir "Are you staying in Chicago?" she asked.
"Yes I am for a few days. I brought the Mrs this time" Charlie said.
Meg looked at Ben "How would you and Mrs Underhill say about coming home to us for dinner, let's say the day after tomorrow" Meg knew she had a late doctors appointment the next day. "We could invite constable Turnbull too and maybe Ray"
"Ray is the detective I do the liaison work with" Ben added.
"That sounds nice. Let me check with my wife, I know we have theater tickets for tomorrow but the next day would be good" Charlie said and stood up whereas Ben and Meg did too.
"As you were please" Charlie said "I will call you back this afternoon with my answer" he said.
Ben followed him out to the front door. As the heavy door closed he felt Meg's arms around his waist
"That went well, so much better than the last time" Meg referred to the clerk who had been down before the wedding.
"Yes, Superintendent Underhill is a great man" Ben said.
"I better get back to my reports and then I would see if I can get hold of Frannie too" Meg said.
The doctor's appointment went well, Ben had rushed to join her just in time for the ultrasound. He had been out with Ray, who actually was waiting for him down by the road in his car. Meg reassured Ben that she could do the shopping herself for dinner the next day, they had added Frannie and Lt. Welsh and his wife to the list of invited guests. Meg was planning on taking a half day as she and Frannie was going shopping. Frannie always had half days on Fridays.
The dinner was a success, the two older women had a lot in common being married to men in high positions, Frannie helped Meg in the kitchen, well Ben did help out too, and all the men talked easily among each other. It turned out Turnbull was really great at conversations at a dinner table. He had short stories to tell. Meg realized she had underestimated her junior officer. When the guests had left soon after midnight and the dishwasher was running for the second time that evening Ben and Meg went into the bedroom.
Meg stood in front of the mirror reaching for the hem of her dress when Ben walked up and put his arms around her.
"You should go out shopping with Frannie more often, you look stunning in that dress" he nibbled on her neck.
"Thank you kindly" Meg smiled at him through the mirror "She was a great help" the dress was in an elastic material but it still looked fancy "I actually bought three different colors, I think it will be suitable for work with a jacket added to it"
"You will wear dresses like this to work?" Ben said with acted fear "No one will get anything done when they see you"
Meg turned around and slapped him on the shoulder "You teaser" she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Then took a step back and took the dress off "Make love to me Ben" she said softly.
She didn't have to ask him twice.
Disclaimer/Copyright 2014 and forward: I don't own the characters from Due South, but I've written the story and therefore feel I own that. I also want to say I don't know about how the Academy for RCMP or something alike works so I've made it up a nice way to fit my story. I'm also not familiar with names for different kind of people in a village such as the Inuits live in.