The next day after Anakin's accident was a market day for you, and your mooning about all week had led to a lot of extra work piling up. So you were out in the yard well before dawn. After taking a private moment with your vibrator, that was. Again.
Last night's call with Ben had left you all out of sorts. He'd done this thing with his voice that you couldn't quite describe except that it hit you right in the vagina when he did it. And it was like he knew what it did to you, because he did it again when you were signing off.
"Goodnight darling." Ben said, allowing a hint of that low growl back into his voice, simply for what he knew it would do to you.
As soon as you'd hung up, you'd run to your room to relieve the pressure in your lower belly, nearly shrieking in relief when your orgasm slammed through you. You barely knew which way was up when you stumbled into your living room to turn off the lights and grab your phone.
Before you fell asleep, you checked your phone one last time and noticed a text from Ben that made both the butterflies in your stomach and your libido do a few pirouettes.
I can't stop thinking about today. The text read. You didn't have a good response for it, so you left it on read. And then maybe had another round or two in bed by yourself. Your neighbor had you hornier than a cat in heat.
Back in the garden, you were taking advantage of the cool morning air and getting some weeding done. You'd just overhauled the bed underneath your butterfly bush, and were rooting around underneath it to get the drip line situated. Every time you moved, the stakes came up from the freshly turned soil.
"God damn it all. Fuck. FUCK!" You accidentally staked your hand, which didn't really hurt, but the surprise caused you to send your head right into the prickly underside of the bush.
"All right there?" A familiar voice asked. You swore again. This was probably the least attractive position Ben could have found you in. (On the contrary, he was actually enjoying looking down at you on your hands and knees, ass up, but you didn't know that.)
"One moment." You said. You sighed in defeat, punched the stake into the ground at random, and slowly shimmied your way out from under the butterfly bush. You were immensely grateful that you'd put on jeans and a gardening tee before heading out this morning, your bathrobe wouldn't have survived the trip out from under the bushes. As it was, your shirt and hair now had some festive adornments.
"Good morning." Ben said, smiling at you over his coffee cup as he sipped. His eyes twinkled, even in the early morning haze. You blew a stray bit of hair out of your eyes and accepted the other mug he was extending to you. Ben was already dressed for the day as well, baby monitor clipped onto his belt. You were surprised to see he was wearing shoes for once.
"If you can call it that." You grumped, slurping down the precious caffeinated liquid.
"Can I help with anything? Ben asked.
"No." You answered, too quickly. You realized he'd probably leave if you didn't invent something for him to do, so you backpedaled.
"Actually, will you help me cut flowers for today? I'll leave the problematic chores for later when there's better light."
"Anything for you." Ben said, winking over the rim of his mug as he finished his cup. You almost choked on your own last sips of coffee, but managed to stay composed.
You looked around for the flower clippers to give to Ben. You had just seen moments ago, but now couldn't find them anywhere.
"Damn it." You muttered, searching around and inside your gardening turtle.
"Are you looking for the clippers? Because I'm afraid they're in your back pocket, darling." Ben said, his eyes sparkling in amusement. You flushed redder than the poppies planted in your median strip and retrieved the clippers. You handed them to Ben, and he left you to stew in your embarrassment with the coffee mugs.
You covertly watched Ben clip flowers as as way of offloading your embarrassment. He moved through the beds, cutting long stems and humming to himself. You didn't want to look like you were spying on him, so you busied yourself picking your own armful of flowers. You'd take care of the rough stems later when you arranged bouquets and stocked everything else in the display buckets.
"Any plans for the day?" You asked casually as you traversed the rows.
"Once Anakin is fed, watered, medicated and put in front of the telly, I think I'll work until he interrupts me." Ben replied.
"Do you need someone to entertain him while you work?" You asked. "I could take him to market with me."
Ben frowned at the daisy bush he was culling from.
"I think I'd best keep him at home, but you could come after market so I could attend a firm meeting in person." He said.
"I can do that." You replied. You glanced up at Ben, who was looking at you with a peculiar expression on his face.
"What?" You asked. He didn't reply right away.
"I suppose it's nothing, flower. Just marveling at you."
You didn't have a good reply to that, so you stuck your head into a bush of flowers and busied yourself yanking on them. You didn't hear Obi-Wan come up behind you until he gently touched your arm.
"I've been thinking about yesterday..." Ben said. The air seemed to evaporate from your lungs. He was so close you could have reached out and touched him, except you were rooted to the ground like the rest of your garden.
"I wonder... if you'd permit me to kiss you again." Ben asked. You nodded, really more of dropped your chin, and that was all it took for him to claim your lips again.
This kiss, unlike the one from yesterday, felt like you'd been struck by lightning on a clear day. Because you weren't restrained by sitting in car seats, Ben could slot his hips against your belly and pull you flush against him. Every inch of his muscular body was warm, and the scent of his deodorant or cologne rolled over you, leaving you dizzy.
Truthfully, you wanted to throw him to the ground right then and there and have your way with him behind the geraniums. But last you checked, fucking outside on your front lawn was still a crime.
The way his body and mouth fit to yours couldn't be illegal if the government tried, though. Ben kissed like he was on death row, like you were both astronauts with a limited air supply in a breached cabin, like a... well, like the erotica promised the protagonist of the romance story should.
It took you a few seconds to come back to yourself when he pulled away.
"If you look that pleased every time I kiss you, I think I'll have to do it more often." Ben said. You gave him a smack with your bundle of flowers.
"Ben? Ben?" A little voice crackled from the baby monitor.
"I'm coming, Anakin. I was visiting Flower Lady." Ben said into it, using it like a walkie talkie.
"I wanna see Fwower Yady!" Anakin shrieked. "I coming too."
"I left the door unlocked." Ben immediately sprinted away, cursing as he did. You couldn't help but follow to the end of the driveway. The street was deserted this time of day, but trust Anakin to try and run across the street the moment a car went speeding by.
Ben made it to the door just in time for Anakin to swing it open. You both had to stifle a laugh, because the little boy was wearing a superhero cape. And nothing else.
"Anakin!" Ben scolded. "You are indecent. Get back inside, you little scamp."
"But..." Anakin's face fell. "I wanna see fwower yady."
"Trousers first, then visiting." Ben picked up the naked toddler and hurried him inside. You held your sides, shaking with laughter.
Moments later, after a scuffle and some toddler howls, Ben and Anakin re-emerged from their house. Anakin had been wrestled back into his pajamas, and his cape held pride of place over his closed.
"Yook! I not nakey." He said proudly. "I not in-dee-shit." Ben grimaced, but was clearly trying to hold in some laughter. He crossed the street with Anakin in his arms.
"All better. Even superheroes have to wear clothes under their capes." You said, ruffling Anakin's hair.
"Yook!" Anakin said, showing you his cast. "I bonk."
"You did. You're going to have to be careful." You said. Anakin reached out grabby hands to you, which froze both you and Ben in your tracks.
"Uh... I guess, may I?" You asked Ben. Anakin's grabby hands intensified. Ben held the toddler out to you.
"Hi." Anakin said, sitting quietly in your arms. "You has dirt." He wiped at your cheek with his sticky palm, undoubtedly smearing it around.
Once again, Ben was looking at you with a weird expression on his face. You blushed, which made him clear his throat.
"Who wants pancakes?" Ben asked. Anakin screamed directly in your ear and attempted to throw himself out of your arms. Luckily, you were holding onto him tightly, so all he managed to do was rebound and headbutt you in the chin, which made your fillings rattle in your skull.
"Hey. Gentle." Ben said, taking him back. You rubbed your jaw and tried not to look like you were seeing stars. Anakin looked at you, touched his head, and immediately burst into tears.
"This is going to be a long day." Ben sighed. "Are you all right?" He asked you over Anakin's howls. You nodded and gave him a thumbs up, even though your eyes were watering.
"Look, Anakin. Flower lady is fine. Can you say you're sorry?" Ben said gently, trying to calm the toddler.
"I-I-I-I SWOWWY!" Anakin screamed, making you and Ben wince.
"I think we will retire before the neighborhood watch decides we're a menace to this block." Ben sighed. "Goodbye, flower. Say bye-bye, Anakin."
"Bye..." Anakin sobbed into Ben's shoulder. You waved and watched them cross the road. And then you retreated to the kitchen for some ice. You had market day to finish getting ready for.
As it turned out, market day was just doomed for you that day. Your head throbbed, your jaw was bruising up, and the heat was absolutely oppressive. Within just a few minutes of setting up, you began to feel cranky. By halfway through the market, you felt absolutely sick. You did your best to hide under your canopy in the shade and ice your head, neck and chin with ice you begged from the soda stand nearby.
"Are you sure you don't want to go home early?" Adi asked, looking worriedly over at you.
"I'm sure. I need the money." You replied, gritting your teeth. Your head throbbed. Even though it had been weeks since Anakin caused your last concussive incident, you were fairly sure it just reagitated the old injury.
Your phone buzzed in your pocket, and you groaned as you pulled it out.
Flower, how is your head? Are you holding up in this heat? Ben's text read.
You responded that you were fine, and closed your eyes again. Only a couple more hours and then you could go home and languish in a cool bath.
"Excuse me, how much are these Gardenias?" A customer asked. You tried not to groan as you got out of your chair to help. You stood up, and were assailed by nausea.
"Five dollars for the small bunch, Eight for the larger." You told the customer. They nodded and selected a bouquet, then handed the cash over. You put away the money, and turned to go back to your chair, and then it suddenly felt like you were moving through jello. You were vaguely aware of Adi calling your name, and then nothing.
When you next returned to consciousness, you were looking up at your canopy, and Adi's face was swimming into view. Your head throbbed, which made you wince.
"Oh good, you're back with us. The paramedics and your boyfriend are on their way." Adi said, setting a cool rag on your forehead.
"My what?" You asked. Your brain felt like congealed oatmeal. You swore she had just said your boyfriend...
Sirens rang out in the distance, and you swore under your breath. You were fine, you just needed to get out of this heat and lay down somewhere dark.
"Your boyfriend was so concerned. He said that your son accidentally hit you today, and that's where you got that nasty bruise." Adi continued.
"He's not my boyfriend." You groaned.
"Oh, my mistake. I didn't realize you were married." Adi said. You moaned again.
"No, I-" You were interrupted by paramedics pushing through the crowd with their gear.
"What's the trouble here?" A young paramedic asked. "You don't look like you're feeling too well."
"I'm fine-" You tried to grouse, just as Adi interrupted.
"She suffered a bit of a knock to the head this morning, and paired with the heat, she just passed out. I think you should check her for serious side affects." Adi said.
"I used to be a nurse," You protested, "it's nothing more than a minor concussion and dehydration."
"We're going to get you checked out, don't worry. My name is Quinlan, I'm going to take care of you."
The EMT and his partner began to move around you, setting up triage. You tried not to let the shame and frustration overflow, because it wouldn't help anything. All the same, you could feel the crowd's eyes on you, and it made everything feel worse.
Sometime during the checkup, Ben materialized nearby. You couldn't see him, but you could hear him talking to Adi. You kept your eyes shut, not wanting to see him add to the fuss over you.
"Okay, so, I'm gonna recommend you come with us to get checked out. I think you could use some fluids and some tests to check up on that concussion." Quinlan said to you.
"No." You replied, trying and failing to shake your head. The motion made you feel nauseous all over again.
"Okay, I understand you might not feel comfortable. But you know the risks with concussions." Quinlan tried again.
"No, I'm sorry. I can't afford the ambulance ride right now. If I don't feel better after some triage at home, I'll go to Urgent Care." You persisted.
"Are you sure?" Ben was suddenly right next to you, resting a hand on your arm.
"Yes. I don't have insurance right now." You told him through gritted teeth.
"Blast." Ben swore under his breath.
"Okay, let's observe you for a few minutes and revisit the conversation. We can't in good faith let you drive yourself home, in case something else happens to you." Quinlan said.
"I'll make sure she gets home safe." Ben said, squeezing your arm.
"My van, my booth..." You protested. "We can't just leave it here, it'll get towed."
"Your health comes first." Ben said gently.
You felt a couple tears of frustration leak out from under your eyelids and made a mental note to be more understanding of Anakin's tantrums in the future, because boy, you felt like throwing one yourself right about now.
The next few harrowing minutes included some water, some maneuvering so your face was out of the sun, and a perplexing moment where Ben ended up selling half of your remaining flowers for you because the crowd felt bad for you as they were dispersing.
It was about then that you noticed some tension between Ben and the EMT, Quinlan. As your headache and nausea began to ease, you started to notice the way they were pointedly not looking at each other or conversing.
"May I have some water?" You asked. "My bottle is by the chair." The natural thing would have been for Ben to pass it to Quinlan to pass to you, but instead, the two men both went for the bottle, which led to an impasse when Quinlan reached it first. You thought there would be some sort of standoff, but then Quinlan passed the bottle to you.
"Do you know each other?" You blurted out.
"We were school buddies." Quinlan said at the same time as Ben said "Unacquainted."
"Oh." Was all you could say.
"Are you sure we can't persuade you to come down and get checked out at Emergency?" Quinlan asked, clearly eager to change the subject.
"Ben, help me out here?" Quinlan implored the other man. Ben looked to you.
"I think it would be best, but I understand your reservations." He said reluctantly.
"All right. I'm going to pack up then. Please head to urgent care if you develop any worse symptoms. Stay out of the heat, hydrate, and get some rest." Quinlan said. His partner, who had been repacking their gear, materialized and led the way out of your booth area.
"This is a disaster." You groaned. Ben squatted by your shoulder and looked down at you. You looked right back, squinting against the sun. And then it struck you, where was Anakin?
"Ben, where is Anakin!?" You asked, suddenly irrationally worried that the little tyke had been left in a hot car somewhere. Ben looked at you like you'd lost your mind.
"Relax, Flower. I left him with our katty corner neighbor. Her and her husband are back from their summer travels and were happy to watch over him for a few minutes while I looked after you.
"You're always taking care of others..." You suddenly felt horribly guilty that he was here, with you, instead of working or looking after his brother.
"Darling, please don't cry. You're feeling overwhelmed because of the events of today. Let me take you home, and we can talk about this later." Ben said gently. You squeezed your eyes shut, willing yourself not to cry.
"You should get out of the heat." Adi said, coming over from her booth. "You'll feel better."
"Can you watch everything until I can get back here to close up?" You asked, accepting Ben's hand to bring you to your feet. Adi looked skeptically at you as you swayed on your feet.
"I'll come back with our neighbor and get the van home." Ben said to her. You scowled, since it was your van, and you really should be taking care of things, but then a wave of dizziness almost took you down again.
"Come on, let's go nice and slow to the car." Ben said, rushing to your side as you wobbled. You sighed, acquiesced, and let him walk you to the Prius.