Trouble

It had been months since that burnt dinner Ciara made for Ben. A lot had happened. Ben and Ciara are living together at the gatehouse. Ben saved Julie's life, and Victor tried to kill Ben. Ciara was now working for her grandfather, which is why Ben didn't tell her what happened.

Ben ran into the gatehouse, panting after a run. He threw his keys on the desk and took some deep breaths.

Ciara walked in carrying two smoothies.

"Hey, you."

" Hey."

" Hey, you didn't hear me calling your name across the lawn?"

" No, no, sorry, I was probably distracted."

" Uh, smoothie?" Ciara said as she handed one to Ben.

" Thank you. That's awesome."

" Yeah."

Ben took a sip before saying, " You were gone when I woke up this morning."

" Yes, I was. I went to go visit my grandma."

" How is Julie?"

" Nothing's changed."

" I'm sorry."

" Thank you."

" So you said you were distracted. Is there something on your mind?"

" Actually, there is."

Ben's phone beeped, so he picked it up.

" What's going on?"

" It's nothing for you to worry about, babe."

" Okay, you see when you say that, it only makes me worry more, so..."

" Well, I'm sorry, Ciara, but it's fine. Really."

" Ben. Ben, whatever it is you're dealing with, you know you can tell me, right?"

" It's my nephew, David."

" Is something wrong?"

" No, no, but today's the official court date for Rafe to find out if he can become his legal guardian."

" Okay, well, I mean, that is great news then, right? Because once the judge approves it, Jordan won't be able to keep him away from you, and you'll be able to see your nephew all you want."

" That's the thing. I''m not sure if that's a good idea."

Ben sat on the couch and drank his smoothie. Ciara watched Ben for a minute before setting her purse down and sitting next to him.

" Ben, I don't understand. I thought you wanted to be a part of David's life?"

" You kept telling me how important he was to you."

" He is important. It's just, what if I'm not a good influence on the kid?"

" Ben."

" I'm serious. I mean, maybe Jordan's right. I do have Clyde Weston's DNA. Maybe David should be kept as far away from my family as possible."

" Ben, that's crazy."

" Exactly. We're all crazy."

" No, no, no, that's not what I meant. You know that."

"Hey, Ben, look at me," Ciara said as she placed her hand on his cheek so he would look at her.

" You are not your father. Okay? You have worked so hard to get better and put your past behind you."

" The past is never really gone though, is it? There's still the stigma. There are people all over this town who will only see me as a murderer and as a danger to everyone, especially to you."

" Yeah, well, they don't know you. I know you."

" What happens one day when little David finds out about his Uncle Ben and all the awful things that he did? Ciara, I have to put my nephew first."

" Okay, and you will. You will. You are going to be there for him. And if the day comes when he hears about the kind of person that his Uncle Ben used to be, he will know that it has nothing to do with the man you are right now."

" You're so good at spinning things, aren't you?"

" I'm not spinning it. I'm not spinning anything, Ben. This is the truth, okay?"

" Look, there is a reason why I love you so damn much. You are a good person. I just hope that one day you can see yourself the same way that I do."

They sat together on the couch, and Ciara kissed Ben's forehead.

Ben's phone beeped on the desk, so he picked it up. It was a text from Rafe.

Headed to court. Meet me at my house at noon.

" It's happening. Rafe just invited me over to the house after the hearing."

" Yeah? Oh, my gosh, I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to see that little boy. Unless, of course, you want to go alone."

" What? Are you kidding me? Never."

" Good, because I was coming anyway."

" I'm so damn lucky to have you in my life. You understand that?"

" Yes."

" And David will be, too."

" Do you think Rafe will let us babysit him again?"

" I hope so. I wanna take him on a picnic."

" Yeah?"

" By the lake. Maybe the zoo."

" The zoo? Mmm. You like the zoo?"

" Mm, honestly, I haven't been very often. Didn't exactly have that kind of childhood, but I heard they got the monkeys."

" Yeah. I can confirm the monkeys. They definitely have monkeys, and they have this awesome hand-carved carousel. It's so cool."

" All I care about and am excited about is being able to spoil that kid with all the things that I didn't get to do."

" Oh, my gosh, listen to you. Oh, my God, that kid is going to love his Uncle Ben so damn much."

" You think?"

" Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know it. You wanna know how?"

" Because I feel the exact same way."

They shared a kiss before Ben pulled away.

" Before you, my whole life was just darkness. My past, my present, my future. All I could see was just pain, loss, and regret."

Ciara held Ben's hands between them and kissed them.

" And what about now?"

" Now it is like you came into my world and just flooded out all of the darkness with love and light. You are light, Ciara. Look at what I have now. Seriously, look what I have. I have a great job. I have a future. I have a beautiful woman that I love more than anything."

" Mm-hmm."

" And I'm about to be able to hang out with my little nephew."

" Yes, you are."

" The darkness is gone. What more could I ask for?"

They started kissing. Then Ben lifted Ciara. Ben slowly laid her on the bed before laying on top of her. They removed their clothes and made love.

" Did that put a little extra light in your day?"

" I could have used sunglasses at the end, there. Maybe two pairs."

Ciara laughed and hit his chest.

" What time do we have to be at Rafe's by?"

" Soon. I should probably hop in the shower."

" Yeah."

" I wanna stop by the toy store and grab something for David on the way."

" That is an excellent idea."

" Thank you."

" For what? For that?"

" Mm, that too."

" But no, for being you.

" Oh, well, I can't help it, you know?"

" I was in a pretty down mood this morning."

" Yeah, but why? What made you suddenly start doubting your influence on David?"

" I got a bit of a reminder recently about my past and how certain people still see me."

" Who?"

" Doesn't matter. But sometimes, I just wish Jordan could see the man I am when I'm with you."

" I love that man."

" He loves you."

They shared a few more kisses before Ben got out of bed.

They got dressed, went to the toy store, and headed to Rafe's.

" Is it weird that I'm nervous to see a baby?"

" You don't have anything to be nervous about, babe. You're gonna do fine."

" Okay, yeah."

" Do you think he's gonna like the duck, though?"

" He's gonna love the ducky, it's perfect."

" Alright."

" Yeah."

" Let's do this."

Ben knocked on the door, and Rafe answered.

" Hey, guys."

" Sorry, we got here a little bit earlier."

" Yeah, Ben's just really excited to see the baby."

" You're already back from court. Where's the little guy?"

" Yeah, about that. Listen. I'm really sorry, but I can't let you see David."

" What? You said..."

" I know, I know."

" I don't understand, Rafe."

" You said it was cool for me to spend some time with him. You texted me to come over."

" Yeah, Jordan doesn't want you to be a part of her son's life."

" Jordan? Who gives a damn what she thinks after what she did to me, Rafe? It's not up to her anymore."

Jordan walked out and said, " Actually, it is."

Ben and Ciara stood there in shock.