Chapter 1

 

It was December 22nd and Meg Cummings was on the way from Chicago to the farm of her parents in Ludlow, Kansas. Half a year ago, she moved from Ludlow to Chicago, after she broke up with her fiancé Tim. Now for Christmas she returned for the first time back to Ludlow.

The journey had been very pleasant, until she had reached the mountains. An hour ago, it had started to snow and it didn’t seem that it would be better soon. "Why it must snow so intensely now?” Meg thought and tried to concentrate on the snow-covered road here in the mountains. In an easy right-hand bend she got with the left rear wheel on a frozen place and lost the control over the car. Without that Meg could do anything, the car slipped into the road ditch and was stuck. After Meg has recovered from the shock, she got out. Luckily she wasn’t driving so fast, so that she wasn’t hurt, but immediately she saw that she couldn’t get the car out herself, it was stuck.

"Damned, why must this happen here, where nobody is around. I don’t think, that someone will come by here today.” Meg sat down back into the car "Hopefully my cell will work at last." She fetched it out of her bag, but as soon as she looked at it, she noticed, that she didn’t get any connection out here in the mountains. "Great, what shall I do now? It gets slowly dark and I can’t spend the night here anyway. The snowstorm becomes more and more intense." She got out again and looked around. She discovered a small light in the distance “Okay Meg Cummings, if you don’t want to spend the night here in the cold, you must walk over there.” She took her leather backpack from the passenger seat and packed her papers and cell into it. She also found a flashlight in the car and took it along with her. She locked the car and started to walk in direction of the light across country.

Ben Evans had cooked a stew for his four years old daughter Mary Ann and himself for dinner. It was the first Christmas, he would spend alone with his daughter and he tried to make it as wonderful as he could for her. They have spent the whole afternoon outside in the snow today. With red cheeks Mary Ann was sitting at the table now and ate her stew. “And tomorrow we will get our Christmas tree, daddy?” the little girl asked excited. "Of course Mary Ann, I have promised that to you, haven’t I? Tomorrow we will go into the woods and choose a wonderful Christmas tree for us.” Ben smiled at his little daughter. She looked like her mother, just in this moment more than ever. "And you are also sure, that Santa Claus will find us here?" this had been Mary Ann’s biggest worry the last few days. "Of course, Mary Ann. Why shouldn't he find you here? Santa Claus always knows quite exactly, where he can find all the children.” Ben started take the dishes over to the sink "If you like, you can already go over into the living room and sit down in front of the fire place. I will just fix us each a cup of hot chocolate and then I will come over and read you another Christmas story.” Mary Ann got up “Great, with cream?” “Of course with cream, otherwise the hot chocolate wouldn’t taste right." Ben blinked. Mary Ann left the kitchen and went over into the living room. She sat down at the sofa and took the thick book with the Christmas stories and scrolled around till she found a story, which she wanted to hear. A short time later, Ben entered the living room with two big cups of steaming chocolate. He still put a little bit wood on the fire and then he sat down besides Mary Ann “So, which story have you chosen for today?” Ben took the book and looked at the side which Mary Ann had chosen. "Oh, ‘About what the Jesus baby had to smile’. This is my favourite story.” Mary Ann cuddled up to Ben and he started to read. “When Josef with Maria from Nazareth..." At this moment, they were interrupted by a loud knock at the front door. “I wonder who will be that in this weather. Nobody should drive around here then.” Ben got up “Do you think, this will be Santa Claus, Dad?" Ben smiled at his daughter “No, I don't think so, honey. He would be two days to early then.” Ben went to the front door and opened it.

For his astonishment, a young woman stood in front of him. "Good evening, I am sorry, if I disturb you, but I slipped with my car into the road ditch and can’t get it out from there myself.” Meg tried to shake the snowflakes out from the dark long hair. Ben stepped aside “My God, you must completely soaked and cold. Please come in, I don’t think, that we can take care of your car tonight.” Hesitant Meg entered the house. She didn’t feel very well, to enter the house of a stranger in the middle of the nowhere. “However, he looks actually quite pleasant and has a nice smile." Meg thought herself. Meg noticed a little girl, which curiously looked around the corner. The girl looked at Meg and asked “Are you an angel from Santa Claus?” Meg smiled "No, I am sorry. My name is Meg Cummings and I had a small accident with my car.”  “Have you seen Santa Claus during your journey?” the little girl wanted to know now. Meg shook her head “I am sorry, I haven't seen the Santa Claus either.” “Mary Ann" Ben stepped in now "please let Miss Cummings take off her wet jacket and the wet boots.” Then he turned around to Meg again and shook her hand "I have to apologize for my daughter. I am Ben Evans and the young lady is Mary Ann. The best would be, if you take off the boots and jacket and sit down in front of the fireplace to warm yourself up. You must be completely cold." Meg took off the boots and jacket and then she followed Ben into the living room. In the light in front of the fireplace, Ben noticed, that Meg’s jeans was soaked also. "You should get out of these wet clothes. The best would be a hot bath so that you don't catch a cold. I will fix a hot bath for you at once. I guess, your baggage is still in the car, isn’t it?" Meg nodded. “Okay, then I will look for something from me for you for now. I think we can’t go back to your car tonight. Gently he pushed Meg into the recliner in front of the fireplace and handed her his cup with the hot chocolate "Drink this here. I haven’t taken a sip of it yet. I will go to get a bath ready for you in the meantime." he smiled at Meg and left the room. Carefully Meg took a sip of the hot chocolate "It tastes good, doesn't it? Nowadays Dad almost makes as great hot chocolate as mommy did." Mary Ann had sat down at the sofa again and looked at Meg with big eyes. “Where is your mother?” Meg, hasn’t discovered a woman until now. "She died, but daddy said, she is an angel and is watching at me now.” Frightened Meg looked at the little girl “I ...I think this also." Meg didn't know, what to say. Mary Ann got up from the sofa and took the book, which was laying there into her hand and went over to Meg “Can you read this story for me?" Meg took the book away from the girl and nodded "Of course, I would like it.” Mary Ann sat down on the carpet in front of the fireplace and Meg started to read. Ben came back a few minutes later, with a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans in his hand. " I hope the jeans will fit you, for me they’re to small. He handed Meg the clothes "The bath is ready. You will find the bathroom upstairs, the second door on the left." Meg got up "Thank you Mr. Evans.” She went over into the bathroom and a few minutes later, she was soaked into the hot water.

Meg returned to the living room half an hour later. Since the jeans was a little bit too long, she had rolled up the legs, just like the sleeves of the flannel shirt. Ben smiled when he saw Meg "Well, I hope you feel better now?" Meg nodded "Yes, thank you, Mr. Evans.” Ben got up “Please call me Ben. If you call me Mr. Evans, I always have the feeling, my father would stand behind me.” He turned around to Mary Ann "And for you, young lady, it’s bedtime now. Say good night to Miss Cummings.” Mary Ann got up and smiled at Meg “Good night, Miss Cummings.” “Good night, Mary Ann, but please call me Meg.” The little girl nodded and left the room. "I will just bring Mary Ann to her bed and then I will fix something to eat for you.” Ben disappeared behind his daughter. Meg looked a little bit around in the living room. Ben was back few minutes later. "There is still some left over from the stew, we had for dinner, I will just heat it for you.” Before Meg could reply anything, he disappeared into the kitchen. Meg followed him. "Mmm, this smells exquisite. Until now, I haven’t noticed, how hungry I am.” Ben put a filled plate in front of Meg "Bon Appetite.” Meg tried a little bit. “Mmm, it taste like it smells." Soon Meg has emptied the plate. “Would you like some more?” Meg shook the head and started to yawn. Ben noticed that “Come on Miss Cummings, I will show you the guest room.” He got up. “This would be nice, I am really very tired." Meg followed Ben into the guest room "Oh, this is very beautifully." Meg entered the room and sat down on the bed. "Have a good night, Miss Cummings.” Ben turned around and wanted to leave the room. “Thanks and Ben?” He turned around to Meg again “Please call me Meg.” Ben smiled “Okay, then sleep well, Meg.” Before she could say anything else, he had already left the room and closed the door behind himself.

 

Chapter 2

 

Meg woke up the next morning, she didn't know where she was in the first moment, but then she remembered. The snowstorm, that she slipped with the car into the road ditch and finally Ben and his little daughter Mary Ann. Meg looked at her watch and noticed, that it was only half past five, to early to get up. She cuddled up again into the cover closed her eyes again. It didn't need long time and Meg was fallen asleep again.

Ben hadn't slept so good for a long time. Well rested he woke up around half past seven. In a good mood, he got up, took a shower, got dressed and went down into the kitchen to prepare the breakfast. He set up the coffee machine and put the pan on the stove. Then he went over to the refrigerator and got the eggs and the bacon out. The whole time he buzzed for himself and when he noticed it, he smiled. When the eggs bacon was frying in the pan he suddenly heard a voice behind himself. "Good morning, Ben. It smells exquisitely here." Meg stood in the kitchen door and smiled at Ben. Ben looked a moment deeply into her eyes and had trouble to look away again. "Good morning Meg. Thank you, please sit down, the breakfast will be just ready." Meg sat down at the kitchen table and Ben filled each a plate for Meg and himself with eggs, bacon and fresh toasted bread. "Coffee?" Ben asked, when he placed a plate in front of Meg. "I would like that, thank you.”  Ben poured Meg and himself coffee and then he sat down at the table, too “Have you slept well?” Meg smiled at Ben “Yes, very well, thank you.” Meg started to eat "Is Mary Ann still sleeping?” Ben nodded "Yes, she played yesterday outside in the snow the whole afternoon yesterday and was very tired last night.” “How old is she?" Meg asked. "In October she turned into four.” Ben answered. "She is really very charming." Meg wondered, what happened to Mary Ann’s mother, but she was afraid to ask this Ben. “Yes she is and she becomes more and more like her mother.” Ben looked at his plate. Mary Ann entered the kitchen like a small whirlwind. "Good morning daddy, good morning Meg.” She sat down at the table “I am hungry.” Ben got up “Would you rather like bacon and eggs or cereals for breakfast?” “I would like cereals, dad." Ben prepared a bowl with cereals for his daughter and placed it in front of her. Then he sat down again and continued to eat. “Do you think, we can get my car free today?” Ben shook his head “I don’t think so. It has snowed the whole night and it will last two or three days, before the snow blower will come up here." Frightened Meg looked at Ben "You mean, I can’t get out of here for the time being?” Ben nodded " I am afraid, you are trapped with us during this time.” Meg pushed her empty plate aside “Maybe I can make a phone call then? My parents expect me today and they will be very worried, if I don't arrive today.” Ben put the plates together “I am afraid, the phone is already dead since yesterday. But I have a radio equipment here. We can contact the closest police station. I am sure, they will pass a message on to your parents.” “This would be great.” Ben got up "Okay, then come on.”

He led Meg into a little office. The radio equipment was in a corner. Ben went over and switched it on "Kirksville police station come on for bravo delta 340” A voice answered a moment later "Bravo delta 340, here is the Kirksville police station. Hello Mr Evans, Officer Spencer is speaking. What can I do for you?" “Hello Spencer, since yesterday a Miss Meg Cummings is with me here. Her car slipped into the road ditch. Do you know, when the snow blower will be up here?” “I am sorry Mr. Evans, but I am afraid this still can last two or three days. We have the purest chaos here.” Meg looked frightened at Ben "Can you forward a message from Miss Cummings to her parents? They expect her at home today?” “Of course, just give me the phone number and I will call them.” Ben handed the microphone to Meg “Hello Officer Spencer, this is Meg Cummings speaking. Here is the phone number of my parents 0975-423365. Please tell them, that I am well and I wish I could come home.” “Roger Miss Cummings. I try to send the snow blower up to you as fast as possible, but it still can last two to three days. Is there still something else, I can do for you?” "Thank you, but this was everything." Okay. I wish you Merry Christmas, over and out." "Thanks, for you also. Over and out.” Meg handed the microphone back to Ben "It seems, that I am stuck here over Christmas.” Ben smiled at Meg "Well, let’s make the best out of it. I have promised Mary Ann yesterday, that we would get a Christmas tree today. Would you like to come with us?” “If I don't disturb you at this? At home I always did it with my father." Ben shook his head "You don't disturb at all." Meg looked at Ben a little bit embarrassment "Ben, do you think, it would be possible to go to my car, so that I can fetch my baggage?” “This won’t be a problem. We will take a sledge along and carry it with that." Meg smiled "Thank you Ben. I hope, I don't make too much trouble for you.”  “No," Ben shook his head "you don't make any trouble. Let us see, if Mary Ann is finished with her breakfast.”

They returned into the kitchen where the little girl just has finished her breakfast "Will we go and get our Christmas tree now, daddy?” “As soon as I have tidied up the kitchen, we can leave. But before we will get a tree, we have to go back to Meg’s car and get her baggage.” Mary Ann looked at Meg “Will you stay for Christmas with us?” Meg nodded "It looks like it, we are snowed in here." Ben started to wash the dishes. Meg reached for a dishes towel and started to dry up. Ben wanted to protest, but Meg didn't allow it “Ben, please let me help you. Somehow I must give it back to you.” Together they have tidied up the kitchen very fast and left the house a half hour later. Ben has Mary Ann wrapped up thickly and sat her down on the sledge and they started the search for Meg’s car.

 

 

 

 Chapter 3

 

 

It had stopped snowing and slowly the sun forced it’s way through the clouds and it seemed to become a marvellous winter's day. A while Ben and Meg walked silently beside each other. Meg deeply sucked in the clear, cold winter air and broke the silence "How long have you lived here? I guess, from your accent, you aren't from this area. Your accent sounds somehow British.” Ben smiled at Meg "Can you still hear that? It’s true I was born in England and grew up there. Eight years ago, I moved to California. This house here I bought last spring. We have already spent a couple of weeks in the summer here. And now we are here for Christmas and in the middle of January I have to return to California.” Meg smiled back "For Mary Ann it will be wonderful here for Christmas. I mean with all the snow here and so.” Ben nodded "But this isn't the only reason. My wife had leukaemia and died one and a half year ago. Last year for Christmas our friends were very considerate, sometimes to considerate. They have tried frantically to suppress every Christmas atmosphere and cheerfulness in my presence. Somebody was permanently around us on the holidays and this year, I wanted to avoid this.” “I understand," Meg nodded "and for Mary Ann it will be much better so.” Ben turned round to his daughter who enjoyed the ride on the sledge "Yes, I also think so. In addition, I have promised my wife to enjoy the life further. She said I shouldn’t stop to live either, because Mary Ann needs me and she was right." Ben couldn't explain it to himself, but it was easy for him in Meg presence to speak about his dead wife, he hadn’t been able to do this with anybody until now.  Meg was impressed by Ben's words about his wife “She must have been a very clever and wise woman.” “Yes, she was.” Ben smiled at Meg "And now it is your turn, what has brought you into this area?" Meg hesitated for a moment, but somehow she felt that she could trust Ben "I was on the way back from Chicago to Ludlow, Kansas to spend the holidays with my family. It will be the first time since a half year that I…” Meg had to swallow hard, before she could continue "A half year ago, I have left my fiancé, a few days before the wedding, because I have found out, that he deceived me with my best friend. I just couldn’t stay in Ludlow and wanted to start over somewhere, but…” Ben looked at Meg "How could someone do something like this to her?” He wondered himself "How can someone just betray such a wonderful woman?” Loud he asked “But?” After short hesitate Meg continued "I just couldn't stay in Ludlow, but I don't feel very well by myself in Chicago. But I don’t want to go back to Ludlow, beside for some visits. Maybe I should start over somewhere again.” “If you like, you can come to Sunset Beach. I guess I can find a job there for you.” Before Ben had thought right, this invitation has slipped out of him. Meg smiled "This is an enticing offer. You know certainly many people there, don’t you?" “Well, I am the owner of an internet café and a nightclub. And in addition I am still a partner in the Liberty Corporation.” Ben declared a little bit proudly. "Oh and  how then can you stay away from home so long?" Meg was astonished. "My head bartender is also my best friend and I trust him completely. Well and my partner in the Liberty Corporation can manage without me a couple of weeks too. And for the quite important things I have the telephone and the internet, as long as it isn't cancelled by heavy snowfall." Ben laughed.

 

They have reached the street in the meantime. "Meg can you remember, where you have left your car?" Ben looked around. Meg looked also “I think it must have been in the curve over there." She pointed in the direction and they went over there. They found Meg’s car under a snowdrift, after they have looked around a little bit. Together they relieved the car from the snow and Meg unlocked the trunk to get her bag. Ben took the bag from her "We put this one on the sledge.” “No" Meg shook her head “this isn't necessary. In addition, Mary Ann is sitting on the sledge." “Mary Ann can walk a little bit now, otherwise she will get cold. She needs to move herself a little bit." Ben didn't tolerate a no. He helped Mary Ann to get up of the sledge and fastened Meg’s bag on it, so that it couldn't fall down. Meg took Mary Ann’s hand “Is it also okay with you? Do you really want to walk?" Mary Ann nodded "Of course, I like it to walk through the snow. Look, what kind of traces I leave in the snow.” Mary Ann let Meg’s hand off and ran a couple of steps ahead "Come on Meg, this is fun!" Meg followed the girl "You are right, this really is fun. Have you ever made a snow angel?” “A snow angel?" Mary Ann looked with big astonished eyes at Meg "How you make a snow angel?”  “Watch out, I will show it to you.” Meg laid down into the snow and showed it to Mary Ann. It needed only a few moments and Mary Ann laid down next to Meg and made a snow angel herself. She got up again and looked proudly at her work “Look daddy, what a terrific angel I have made. You must try it yourself it’s quite simple. I will show it to you." Once again she was laying in the snow and made a new snow angel. Ben smiled and laid down next to his daughter and made an angel, too. Both got up again "Do you noticed, how easy it is?” Mary Ann looked at her father with big eyes. Ben smiled and nodded "Yes it’s really easy. However we should go back now and take Meg baggage home. We also want to get our Christmas tree, don’t we?” Mary Ann got up and took Meg’s hand again “Oh yes, do would like to help us with the tree Meg?” Meg looked at Ben and he also looked expectant at Meg “Well, if you really would like this, I will come with you.” “Of curse we would like that, right daddy?“ Ben smiled first at his daughter and then at Meg “Sure we would like that.“ Excited Mary Ann jumped up and down “Come on, hurry up. I would like to have the most wonderful Christmas tree, which we can find.” She ran ahead and Ben and Meg followed her, everybody been lost in their own thoughts.

 

Chapter 4

 

Together they brought Meg’s baggage in Ben's house. Ben got a saw out of the shack behind the house and then they started their search for the perfect tree. This wasn't so simple at all. For Mary Ann the trees were either too small or not grown beautifully enough. Patiently Ben and Meg followed the child, till it finally stopped in front of a big, just grown tree “This is it, daddy, this is our tree." Ben smiled “Good, if you say, this shall it be, then we will get it.” Ben wanted to saw, when Mary Ann stopped him “Wait daddy, I would like to know first, if Meg like the tree too.” She looked expectant at Meg. Meg walked around the tree “Mary Ann, this is a perfect tree, you really have chosen a very beautiful tree.” The little girl smiled with the whole face. “Thank you Meg. Now you can saw the tree, daddy.” “Your wish is my command.” Ben laughed and started to saw. A Few minutes later he has sawed the tree off and made they went back home.

At home Ben started first a nice warm fire in the fireplace. “Would you like, if I make hot chocolate for everybody?” Meg suggested. “Yes, that would be great.” Mary Ann was enthusiastic. "Meg please sit down and I will cook the chocolate." Ben shoved Meg into an armchair in front of the fireplace, but Meg shook her head “No Ben, I would like to do it. I just can’t sit around here and do nothing. In addition, I have a secret recipe and I wonder if Mary Ann would like it.”  „Okay,“ Ben gave in „it seems that I can’t stop you.“ „No, I can be very stubborn.“ Meg left the living room and returned a short time later with a tray, with three streaming cups. "Mmm, I must admit, this smells exquisite." Ben took the tray from Meg and distributed the cups. Meg sat down into the armchair and Ben and Mary Ann on the sofa. They carefully started to drink the hot chocolate. "This is, the best hot chocolate, which I have ever have tried.” Mary Ann licked the cream of her lips. "I must agree with my daughter, it’s really very good. May I ask you, what special ingredient is?" Meg smiled "Well, it is an old family recipe, but I will tell it to you. It only just a little bit cinnamon.” “Cinnamon?” Ben looked at Meg "I must remember this." During they warmed up at the fireplace and drank the hot chocolate, Meg told a little bit about the life of the farm and how she has grown up there. When they have emptied their cups, Ben got up. "I think, I will set up the tree now. Mary Ann, why don't you get the carton with the neat from my bedroom in the meantime, so we can start to set up the tree at once?” “Oh yeah, daddy.” The little girl jumped up from the sofa “Will you come with me Meg?” Meg hesitated for a moment, but then she followed Mary Ann.

On the way upstairs, she admitted to herself that she actually was a little bit curiously about, how Ben has established his bedroom. Mary Ann opened the door to her father’s bedroom "Come on Meg, the carton is in the cabinet over there.” Meg entered the room and looked around. A big bed stood at the wall opposite the door.  On the right and on the left of the bed stood each a bedside table. On the right wall was a chest of drawers and on it were some photos set up. Meg took a few steps and looked at the photos. "This is my mommy.” Mary Ann had stepped up next to Meg and pointed at a photo. "She was very beautiful, Mary Ann. Meg smiled at the little girl "And you looks very similar to her. "Mary Ann smiled back "Daddy always says the same.” Meg turned around "So, let us take the carton and go downstairs again. Your father will already wait for us.” Meg took the carton out of the cabinet and they left the room again.

Downstairs Ben was still fighting with the tree. Meg put the carton down and went over to Ben “Wait Ben, I will help you.” She held the tree and Ben could fix it. “So, that’s done. Thank you for your help.” Ben looked around for the carton and started to unpack it. Soon all three were eagerly busy to adorn the tree. At this, Meg showed a great patience with Ben’s daughter, because the two needed a long time for every thing to find the right place for it. Ben watched the two for a while. "Once Meg will be certainly a good mother." he thought and smiled when he caught himself at this thought. "I think, you don’t need me here, so I will rather cook the dinner.” “Okay daddy.” Mary Ann looked only briefly at Ben. Then she turned back to Meg again “Do you think, I should hang up the little bell here?” Ben smiled once again for himself and went then over into the kitchen and started to cook the dinner.

A half hour later, an exquisite smell started to pull thru the house. Ben returned into the living room to get Mary Ann and Meg for the dinner. Meg stood above on the ladder and tried to set up a big star on the top of the tree. She stood up on the tips of the toes, so that she could reach the top of the tree. Suddenly she lost the balance.  She tried herself to get the balance back, but the ladder started to slip away. Ben was with a big step next to the tree and just caught Meg “Ups, that was close.” Meg looked Ben deep into his eyes “Thank you Ben.” “I am glad, I was there in time.” He held Meg longer in his arms than necessary. Meg enjoyed to lay in his arms, but after a few moments, she remembered, that Mary Ann was still in the room too and she stood up again „Luckily nothing happened.” She smiled once again at Ben „Will we switch on the lights now, Mary Ann?” Meg handed the girl the plug and they together put this into the electrical outlet. „Wow Meg, this looks terrific.” „That’s right, I have to agree with my daughter. Alone we hadn’t done it so great.” Meg got a little bit embarrassed "Thanks, but I really have enjoyed to do it.” She sniffed “What smells here so exquisite, by the way? I must admit, that I am starving.” Ben lifted his daughter into his arms “Well, then let’s eat. I hope, you like pasta.”  “I love pasta.” Meg followed Ben into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Ben served the pasta and an exquisitely nice-smelling sauce “Would you like a glass red wine to your dinner?” Ben took two wineglasses out of the cupboard “Yes, thank you.” Ben poured each a glass wine for Meg and himself and a glass of lemonade for Mary Ann. The three hungrily started to eat. After the dinner Mary Ann started to yawn. "I guess it’s bedtime for you, young lady. It was a long day.” “Already daddy?” asked the girl yawning. “Why don’t you go upstairs with your daughter and help her to get ready for the bed? I will take care of the dishes in the meantime. “But Meg, you are my guest…” Ben started “No buts, I would like to help.” Meg interrupted Ben. Ben got up and lifted his daughter into his arms. "Okay, it seems, that I can’t do anything against this.” “No chance" Meg smiled at Ben. “Will you still come up and says good night to me, Meg?" Meg stroked the cheek of the little girl “Of course, I will do that.”

Then Ben left with Mary Ann the kitchen and Meg washed the dishes. When she was done, she went upstairs, to say Mary Ann good night. In front of the door, she stopped for a moment, since Ben and the child were recessed in a conversation. She wanted actually not eavesdrops, but suddenly, she heard her name. "I really like Meg very much. You too, daddy?” “Yes I like her too, she is really nice.”   She heard Ben answering. Meg didn’t want to embarrassment Ben, so she knocked a the door and opened it then “May I come in and tell you good night?” The little girl sat up in the bed and smiled at Meg “Of course” Meg entered the room and went over to the bed. "Good night and sweet dreams.” Mary Ann held up her arms and hugged Meg “Thanks you too.” Meg kissed the little girl at her cheek and got up again. “Good night and sweet dreams, princess.” Mary Ann kissed her father “Thank you, you too, daddy.” Ben and Meg left the child's room. "Would you like to drink still a glass wine with me?” Ben asked on the way downstairs. “I would like that. On the way to the living room, Ben got two glasses and the bottle from the kitchen. While the chattered, they emptied the wine bottle. Soon Meg started to yawn. Too much fresh air and now the wine and the warmth of the fire made her tired. Ben noticed it. "I think we should go to bed too.” Frightened Ben looked at Meg "This shouldn't sound that way now..." Meg smiled at Ben “Don’t worry Ben, I have understood it in the right way.” Both got up. Ben took care, that the fire was out and Meg brought the empty glasses into the kitchen. Together they went up the stairs. In front of the door to Meg’s room they stopped for a moment “Good night Meg, sleep well." “Thank you Ben, you too. And thank you for the lovely day.” She bent forward and kissed the surprised Ben on his cheek. Before Ben could say or do anything, she already has disappeared in the room and had locked the door behind herself. With a smile on his lips Ben went over into his bedroom.

 

Chapter 5

 

A short time later, Meg laid in her bed. Although she was very tired, she just couldn’t fall asleep. Again and again, her thoughts wandered back to Ben. She still could feel his strong arms which he had caught her in. Then again, she thought of his gentle blue eyes, in which she could lose herself. "Meg Cummings, what is wrong with you?" she wondered herself "You hardly know Ben and he for certain, is not the slightest interested in you. In the way he talks about his dead wife, he still has a lot feelings for her.” She turned around and tried to concentrate her thoughts on different things. "Well, what would mom say about this now?” Meg was very close to her mother and could talk about everything with her. “Mom would certainly say, I simply should wait and follow my heart. Yes, that would she say." Meg turned once more around and sighed. She looked at her watch and noticed, that she already more than a half hour tried to fall asleep. She sat up "Maybe it will help, if I read a little bit.” She told "Ben has some books in the shelf in the living room and I am sure, that I can borrow one.” She got up, left the room and went downstairs into the living room.

Ben couldn’t sleep either. He still could feel her soft lips on his cheek. She just had surprised him with this kiss, that he hadn’t any chance to react. He closed his eyes and immediately he saw Meg in front of himself. Once again, he sat up “Damned Ben Evans, your aren’t a teenager any more. What’s wrong with you?” he wondered loudly himself. “You know exactly what’s wrong with you, you have fallen in love." He answered his own question. How could this happen so suddenly? Since Maria’s death, he hadn’t been interested in another woman. Even when he had met Maria for the first time, he hasn’t had such feelings toward her, as he now had for Meg. "Ben stop it, as soon as she can, she will leave again and you won’t see her ever again.” He laid back again and closed the eyes once more. And again, he saw Meg in front of himself, with a smile at her lips, that let his heart beat faster. Suddenly he noticed, that someone went down the stairs. He wondered if this was Mary Ann, which had trouble to sleep again. Ben got up, got his robe on and went quietly downstairs.

To his astonishment, the kitchen was dark and empty. Mary Ann usually went into the kitchen, when she couldn't sleep. Then he noticed, that a weak gleam of light insisted from the living room. Quietly he opened the living room door and looked inside. On the other side of the room Meg stood with the back to the door in front of the bookshelf and studied the titles of the books. What Ben saw, took his breath away. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders down the back. She was only dressed in an old, out washed, football shirt and he could see a lot from her well-formed legs. A pair of thick socks formed the degree. "Not even this socks are able to ruin the beauty of this sight.” Ben thought. He cleared his throat to get Megs attention. Frightened Meg turned around. "Oh Ben, I am sorry, I didn't want to wake you up." Ben entered the living room smiled at Meg "Don’t worry, you haven’t done this.” "Meg sighed of relief "I couldn't sleep and wanted just to borrow a book. I hope, it’s okay with you?” “Why shouldn’t it be okay?” Ben crossed the room and stopped beside Meg. “Just feel like at home." He smiled at Meg and she got weak knees. "Oh my God," Meg thought “this smile will just drive you crazy.” “Did you already find something interesting?" Ben tried to keep his eyes away from Meg and pulled out a book from the shelf “This is a wonderful book.” He handed a book to Meg and when their hands touched each other, both got the feeling, that a lightning would drove thru them. "Thanks Ben" Meg could hardly speak. Ben stood directly in front of her and looked into her blue eyes. "These eyes are so blue, as a mountain lake." Ben thought. Before he could take hold of a clear thought, he bent forward and kissed Meg gently on the lips. This time, Meg was too surprised to react and Ben made a step back. "I am sorry Meg, I don’t know, what came over me. I shouldn’t have done it.” Meg put her forefinger on Ben's lips and smiled at him "Pst, you don’t need to be sorry, Ben.” She stood up at the top of her toes and kissed Ben. To his own surprise, Ben wrapped his arms around Meg and returned the kiss. When they breathless broke the kiss, Ben smiled at Meg "This I’ve wanted to do the whole day." “And what has stopped you from this?” “I don't know. " Ben bent forward and kissed Meg once more. When they broke the kiss again, Ben smiled at Meg "I think, I have fallen in love with you.” “Good” Meg smiled back “I feel the same for you. But I just haven’t expected, that you feels the same.” “Well,“ carefully he stroked a hair strain out of Meg’s face „I have to admit, that it surprised myself the most.” Ben noticed, that Meg shivered „Are you cold?“ Meg nodded „Yes a little bit.“ Ben put his arm around Meg „Come on, we should go back to bed.” Frightened about his own words, he looked at Meg „I am sorry Meg, it shouldn’t sound like that.” “Don’t worry, Ben” Meg smiled at Ben “You haven’t said anything wrong.”

Hand in hand they went upstairs. They stopped in front of Meg room door and looked each other deep into the eyes for a moment. Then Ben bent forward and kissed Meg once more again. The kiss became more and more passionate and when they finally managed to break the kiss, they were breathless. "Wow," Meg said breathlessly "your kisses are really breathtaking.” “Thanks, but yours also.” Ben couldn’t stop to smile at Meg. “But I think where we should stop now, otherwise I don't know, where this will lead to. I wouldn’t like, if you think, I would make use from this situation.” “Don’t worry, Ben I don't think so.” She took Ben's hand and led him over to his bedroom. In front of the door, they stopped "And at last, it need two for this, doesn’t it?” Surprised Ben looked at Meg “Are you really sure?” Meg kissed Ben tenderly on the lips "More than anything else before in my life.” Ben opened his bedroom door, lifted Meg up and carried her over to his bed. Carefully he laid her down, returned to the door and closed it. He returned to Meg and laid down next to her and they started to kiss again “Meg we could stop it anytime, if you like.” “Ben, I know exactly what I want.” Meg interrupted him “I would like to be together with you, now and here." She pulled Ben down for a passionate kiss. This night, they made love for a long time and it was already in the middle of the night, when they exhausted fell asleep in each other arms. 

 

Chapter 6

 

Ben woke up first in the next morning. He felt happy, like he hadn’t in a long time. He never had expected that he would fall in love once again in his life, at least here in his house in the mountains. He saw Meg, which still was sleeping in his arms.  Her face looked like the face of an angel “She is an angel, my angel." Ben thought. He carefully stroked a hair strand away from her face. Slowly Meg started to open her eyes. When she saw Ben, she smiled and cuddled more up to him. “Good morning Ben.” She said quiet. “Good morning darling. Have you slept well?” “Better than ever in my life." “Good” Ben leant down to her and kissed her. Meg returned his kiss “I think, I should slowly go back into my room." Meg put the cover back and wanted to get up, but Ben held her back. “Why that? Did I something wrong?" Meg smiled at Ben and kissed him once again tenderly on the lips. "No, you have made nothing wrong, quite the reverse. But don’t you think, it would be better, if I leave your bed, before Mary Ann will wake up?" Ben shook his head “Mary Ann likes you a lot, that she told me yesterday herself. In addition, I don't want to hide my feelings for you from my daughter. I couldn't at all.” Meg cuddled up closer again to Ben. “Good, you know your daughter better than I.” No one of them, wanted to get up, they just enjoyed the closeness to each other. They didn’t noticed, that the door quietly opened and Mary Ann entered the room.

“Couldn’t you sleep last night, Meg?” Frightened Ben and Meg got apart. Mary Ann crawled into the bed and sat down between Ben and Meg “You must know, sometimes I can’t sleep and then daddy take me with him into his bed and I then always fall asleep very fast in his arm." Mary Ann looked at Meg expectantly. “Well," Meg sat up “last night, I couldn't fall asleep actually." "Has daddy told you also a story? He always tells me one then. He really can do this very terrific.” Meg shook her head "No, he hasn’t told me a story.” “Sweetheart,” Ben sat up now, too "do you still remember our conversation last night, when I brought you to bed?" “You mean, when I told you, that I like Meg a lot and you told me, you likes her a lot too?” Mary Ann looked  at her father. Ben nodded “Well, last night Meg and I talked with each other and then I told Meg, that I like her a lot and she told me then, that she likes me a lot too.“ Now Mary Ann looked at Meg and then at Ben again and was thinking for a moment „Do you mean, you likes Meg in this way, how uncle Ricardo likes aunt Gabi?” “Yes, that I mean.“ Now the girl turned to Meg “Has daddy kissed you?” Meg nodded „Yes he did.“ Mary Ann looked for a moment at Ben “And? Do you like his kisses?“ She bent over to Meg and whispered “I like his kisses.” Meg smiled and whispered back “I like his kisses too.” Mary Ann sat up again "Good. Daddy I am hungry.” Ben laughed" I think, then it’s time for breakfast.” 

They got up, got dressed and met a short time later in the kitchen. "Mary Ann, what would you like for breakfast today?" Ben asked his daughter. The girl thought a moment "How sounds pancakes?” “Good you will get pancakes.” Ben turned around to Meg “And what would you like to have for breakfast?” “Well, pancakes sound great, I think, I will take them too.” Meg got the eggs out of the refrigerator “Can I help you?” She smiled at Ben. He just couldn’t resist and kissed her soft at the lips “No, you just sit down and enjoy the breakfast.” "But Ben,” Meg protested "I can’t sit down always and let you do the whole work.” “Well okay,” Ben gave in "what do you think if you cook the coffee? You will find everything, what you need in the cupboard over the coffee machine.”  Meg went over and started the coffee machine. In the meantime, Ben had hit the eggs in a bowl and stirred them with flour and milk to a batter. He put the pan on the stove and put a little bit butter into it. “Does it still last for long, daddy? I am starving.” Mary Ann slipped restlessly around on her chair. “Only a few minutes and then the first pancake will be ready and this one you will get.” Ben took the pan from the stove and with an elegant swing he let the pancake fly thru the air and caught it again. "Wow, that I hadn’t expected.” Meg was astonished Ben stepped over to Meg, smiled at her and kissed her “There are certainly a few things, you don’t know about me yet, like there are still a few things I don’t know about you yet." Meg smiled back "There you are right, but I hope, that will change soon. However, you should pay the attention back to your pancake now, otherwise it will burn.” Meg sat down and Ben served Mary Ann her pancake. Then he then returned to the stove and prepared still more pancakes.

When they all were filled up, Ben leant back “So, what shall we do in the morning? Thanks to Meg, the Christmas tree is already set up and decorated. And till I have to put the turkey into the oven, we still have a couple of hours left.” “I hope let me add at last a little bit for the dinner.” Meg got up and started to clear the table “How would it be, if I will bake an apple cake for dessert?” “Oh yes Meg, I love apple cake.” Mary Ann’s eyes sparkled. Meg smiled at the girl “Would you like to help me, then?” Now the little girl jumped up and down “I really can help you?” Meg nodded “As long as your father will let us work in his kitchen.” Ben got up, walked over to Meg and put his arms around her “Do I have a chance to say no?” “No!” called Mary Ann and Meg at the same time Ben laughed and looked into Meg’s eyes “Like I already told you last night, just feel like home here.” Meg couldn't resist, she pulled Ben close to herself and kissed him “Don’t worry, I already feel very at home here." Meg turned around and noticed, that Mary Ann stared at them. Meg went over to the girl and sat down next to her "Mary Ann, you must tell me if it disturbs you that I kiss your father. I would understand this, because I am not your mother." The girl looked at Ben and then at Meg again "This doesn't disturb me. And do you know what?” Meg shook her head “No what?”  “When my mom was very sick, she told me once, when she would be dead daddy and I would be very sad for a while. But she also said, she would like, that we would be happy again. She said that one day would someone come and daddy and I would be happy again and I should help him then. And do you know what, you has made daddy and me happy again.” Meg sat there and had to fight back her tears, she just couldn’t say anything. Ben went over to his daughter and hugged her “I love you very much Mary Ann.”  “I love you too." The girl squeezed her father quite tightly. Then she turned around to Meg, which the tears run down the cheeks “Don’t be sad Meg, I love you too.”  Finally Meg could say a few words „ Don’t worry, I am not crying, because I am sad. I am crying, because I am happy, that I have found you both.“ Now Ben smiled over his whole face and hugged Meg "I love you Meg Cummings." He bent down and kissed Meg. Meg tried to dry her tears “So, it’s enough now. It’s such a wonderful winter day outside. Wouldn’t it be nice, if we would take a walk?” Mary Ann jumped up “Oh yeah and can we also build a snowman?”  Ben smiled at his daughter “Of course we can do that. Let’s get dressed up warm and then we can leave.” 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

All three got warmly dressed and started for a long walk. Mary Ann was sometimes running ahead and then she stopped sometimes to show Ben and Meg something. Ben and Meg followed her hand in hand. But from time to time, they stopped to kiss each other. When they have finished their walk, they built a snowman in front of the house and this ended with a snowball fight. Laughing, cheerfully and with red cheeks, they entered the house again. "What do you think about a cup of hot chocolate?” Meg asked the other two. "Oh yeah, can you make your special chocolate again?” Mary Ann was enthusiastic.  "Of course. Ben would you like a cup too?” Ben nodded “Yes, that would be good.” They walked over into the kitchen and Meg prepared hot chocolate for everybody. They sat down at the kitchen table and started to drink. “Can we bake the apple cake now?” Meg smiled “That we can if it’s okay with your daddy.” Ben smiled "You can bake the cake and I’ll take care of the turkey." 

Just after they have emptied their cups, they started to work. Mary Ann's eyes shone at this with enthusiasm. Soon there was an indescribable smell in the kitchen. However, when the apple cake was ready, the turkey still needed one and a half hours till it was cooked well.  They went over into the living room and sang Christmas songs together in the meantime. Meg told them, how they always celebrate Christmas at home on the farm. The time flew by and soon it was evening. Meg and Mary Ann set up the table lovingly. Together they took the meal over to the table. Ben cut the turkey “It’s so big, that we will eat at last three days of it.” Meg laughed “Well, to eat the leftovers after Christmas is always the best.” They laughed and all three enjoyed their meal. Ben noticed, that his daughter got tired. "I think, you should go to bed soon, Mary Ann.” “Oh daddy, do I really have to? Tomorrow will be Christmas.” The child protested. Ben nodded “I am afraid, yes. At last Santa Claus shall come tonight and you know, he will only come, if you are sleeping.”  Hesitant the child agreed. “Meg can you help me, to prepare the cookies and the milk for Santa Claus?” Meg nodded „If you would like that, I will help you with it.” Ben got up „Okay, you both do that and I will take care of the dishes.” Meg got up too and took an empty bowl and looked at the girl “Why don’t you get ready for bed first and then we will fix everything.” Mary Ann smiled “A good idea. Will you read me a story later daddy?” Ben nodded and smiled at his daughter "Of course my angel.” Fast she disappeared into her room. Ben and Meg cleared the table together “Why don’t you go upstairs and help your daughter and I will take care of the dishes?” Ben pulled Meg to himself and kissed her “Good, but don’t run away, I will be soon back.” Meg smiled “Don’t worry, you will find me right here.” Ben kissed Meg once again and left then the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later Ben and Mary Ann returned into the kitchen. "I am ready Meg. Now we can prepare the plate for Santa.” Meg laid down the dishes towel “Can you show me, where you keep your cookies?" The child nodded and pointed at a can up on the kitchen cupboard "Up there they are.”  Meg fetched the cookie can down. Mary Ann selected a couple of cookies and put them carefully, so that they didn't break, on a plate. Meg handed the girl a glass from the kitchen cupboard and fetched the milk from the refrigerator “So and now still a glass of milk." Mary Ann carefully poured the milk in the glass. " You can carry the plate over into the living room and I will follow you with the milk.” Meg suggested. The child nodded and they went over into the living room. “Where I should put it down, Meg?” Mary Ann looked around. "The best would be on the small table next to the fireplace.”  The girl put down the plate and Meg placed the glass of milk next to it. Mary Ann clapped her hands with enthusiasm. "Now Santa Claus can come.” “But only if you will sleep now.” Ben lifted his daughter up “Come on, I will bring you to bed.” Meg stepped forward to Mary Ann and kissed her forehead “Good night and sweet dreams.” “Good night and sweet dreams too Meg.” Ben left the living room with the child. Meg went over to the fireplace over and put more wood into the fire. Dreaming she looked into the fire and didn't notice, that Ben stepped behind her a few minutes later. He put his arms around her waist “A penny for your thoughts.” Meg turned around and smiled at Ben “I have just thought, how wonderful this Christmas is.” Yes, it’s really a special Christmas." He bent down and kissed Meg.  “Let’s still sit down at the sofa a little bit and enjoy the fire.” Ben took Meg’s hand and led her over to the sofa. He sat down and pulled Meg on his lap. After he had kissed her once again, he fetched a little packet from his trouser pocket. "I have something for you here." He handed Meg the packet “Ben! However, I have nothing for you. I didn't know, that I would meet you here in the middle of the nowhere." Ben smiled "To have you here with me, it’s just enough. Now, just open the packet." Meg smiled at Ben and opened the packet. In the packet was a key. Wondering she looked at Ben. "Well," Ben smiled "the key to my heart you has since the moment you knocked at my door and I opened it for you." He took the key into his hand "This is a key to my house in Sunset Beach. I know that you will go to your family as soon as possible and sometime, you must return back to Chicago again. But whenever you like and feel for it, you can come to me, to us, to Sunset Beach. I know, we only know each other since two days and I won’t push you, but you should know, that beside to the place in my heart, always will be a place in my house and in my life for you.” Meg got tears in her eyes  "Ben, this is the most beautiful present, which I have ever gotten. I love you.” Ben looked Meg deep into her eyes "I love you too, Meg Cummings." They kissed each other. "Does this mean that I can hope, that you will come to me to Sunset Beach one day?” Meg nodded “Yes, I think, I will come." “Good, then I have something, to look forward to.” They kissed each other again and soon the kisses got more and more passionate. “What do you think, if we put out the fire, put Mary Ann’s packets under the Christmas tree and move upstairs then?” Meg smiled "That’s a good idea. While you fetch the packets, I will took a bite of one or two cookies and drink a little bit from the milk.” Ben smiled “Meg you are thinking at everything. I hadn’t remembered this.” They both got up. Ben left the room briefly. Meg took a bite from two cookies and drank a sip of the milk. Then she put out the fire. Ben returned with a lot of presents for his daughter. Together with Meg he put them under the tree. After this, they went hand in hand upstairs and entered Ben’s bedroom.  This night they made tenderly love for a long time, before they fell asleep peacefully in each other arms.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

Early in the next morning, Mary Ann entered the bedroom of her father. "Good morning, daddy. Can we now look, if Santa Claus was there?" Slowly Ben woke up "Good morning, princess. Pst, please don't be so loud, otherwise you will wake up Meg." "Too late, I am already awake." Meg sat up "Good morning you both." "Then we can now go downstairs, can't we?"  Mary Ann jumped excited up and down. Ben put his cover away and got up. "But first we should get dressed." "I will do that." The girl turned around and ran back into her room. A short time later, all three went down into the living room. "He has been here, Santa Claus was here." Mary Ann rejoiced with joy. Ben and Meg sat down on the sofa and watched, how Mary Ann opened one packet after another. Half an hour later, Ben got up, I will make a good  breakfast for us now." Meg also got up "I will come along and help you, Mary Ann is busy now." Ben took Meg's hand and together they went over into the kitchen.

They just had sat down at the table, when the doorbell was ringing. "Who can be this?" Ben got up and opened the door. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Evans, I only wanted to let you know, that we have cleared the roads this morning and have pulled the car from your guest out of the snow. I took the liberty and had the car towed to here at once." "Merry Christmas, George." Ben shook hands with the man "Why haven't you just called, then?" "Unfortunately, the phone still doesn't work and I thought, your guest would like to continue the journey." George explained. "Would you like to come inside for a cup of coffee?" Ben took a step aside. George shook his head "No thank you, Mr. Evans, it's Christmas and my family is waiting for me at home." "That I can understand. Again thank you very much, that you brought the car at once. And greet your family." "Thank you, Mr. Evans and have a nice Christmas." George turned around and went back to his car. Ben closed the door again and returned into the kitchen. "Meg, somebody has brought your car and the roads are free again now." "Oh," Meg got up "I think, then I will make myself on the way home at once." Ben pulled Meg to himself "Do you really want to leave at once?" Meg sighed" Ben, it doesn't become easier, if I delay it.  And you know that my family is waiting for me." Ben kissed Meg "Will I see you again?" Meg smiled at Ben "If your invitation still is valid, I will come to Sunset Beach as soon as I can." They kissed each other again.  "I will go and pack now." Meg went up into her room and returned a short time later with her bag in her hand. She hugged Mary Ann "Take good care of your daddy." The girl nodded "And you will really come and visit us?" Meg smiled "Promise, nothing can hold me back." Ben pulled Meg once again to himself and kissed her "I just wish, you could stay. This was best Christmas for me." Meg smiled "For me also. I love you Ben Evans." "I love you too, Meg Cummings." They kissed each other once again and Meg solved herself of from Ben, when the kiss became more and more passionate. "Ben, I really should drive now. Good bye you both." Meg opened the front door. Ben took her bag and they went out to Meg's car. "Thank you Ben, thank you for everything." Before Ben could reply anything, Meg had gotten into the car and started the engine. She waved to Ben and Mary Ann once again and drove off.

After a three-hour journey she reached Ludlow. She turned off into the entry to the farm of her parents and parked the car in front of the house. She got out and opened the front door " Hello, is anybody at home?" She yelled when she entered the corridor. It didn't need long time and her mother came out from the kitchen. "Meg! Have you finally made it? I have been so worried about you." She hugged her daughter. "Mom, I am fine." Joan Cummings smiled at her daughter "Come into the kitchen, your father, Sara and Ted are also there." Meg followed her mother. In the kitchen she was joyfully welcomed by everyone and of course everyone wanted to know exactly what had happened and where Meg had spent the last days. Meg told a little bit, but not everything. "If you excuse me, I would like to rest a little bit after the drive."  Meg said, after she had told the most to her family. She went up into her old room and laid down on her bed. Immediately were here thoughts by Ben and Mary Ann again. Although she had said goodbye to them, only a couple of hours ago, she missed them both already.

Joan Cummings had noticed, that Meg seemed depressed about something. She followed her daughter upstairs and knocked at the door "It's me Meg, may I come in?" "Of course, Mom." Meg sat up. Her mother entered the room and sat down beside Meg on her bed. "Would you like to tell me, what is depressing you?" Meg smiled, her mother just know her to well "Well, nothing is depressing me, it's only…." She hesitated a moment "Mom, do you believe in love of the first sight?" "Of course," Joan smiled "when I met your father for the first time, I knew at once, that he was the right man for me." Meg looked at her mother.  " Mom, the same happened me with Ben. I saw him and immediately knew that he is the love of my life. And Ben feels just the same. He didn't want to let me go actually and he has asked me to come as soon as possible to him in California." "Well Meg, I can't tell you, what you should do or not." Joan looked at her daughter "But you should listen at your heart and do what your heart is telling you." Meg sighed "Even when my heart tells me, that I should immediately return to Ben?" Joan nodded "Be honest to yourself, then you will find out, what to do. Do you feel well in Chicago and are you bound there to somebody?" "No," Meg shook her head "I don't feel very well myself there. I know, that uncle Frank only gave me the job there so that I could leave Ludlow fast, after I broke up with Tim on our wedding day. He doesn't really need me there. But I need Ben and I feel, that he needs me just the same."   Joan smiled "I think, you have already made your decision. I will explain it to your father and he will talk with his brother." Meg hugged her mother "Mom, thank you, you are the best. Aren't you angry either, if I return at once? Look mom, it is four o'clock now and in three hours I could be back again with Ben and Mary Ann. Joan shook her head "For us, it isn't nice, if you leave at once, but I can understand you." Meg got up and immediately started to pack. Fifteens minutes later, Joan had explained everything to her husband and Meg's siblings and Meg was ready to leave. Joan hugged her "I hope we will soon get to know Ben and his daughter." Meg nodded "Promise, good bye mom." She got into her car and left.

Ben and Mary Ann have spent a peaceful day. After a long walk they watched now a movie together. "Do you miss Meg so much as I do, daddy?" The little girl suddenly wanted to know from her father. "Yes, I miss her very much, Mary Ann. But Meg's family was waiting for her." Ben tried to explain "However, I hope, that she will visit us soon in Sunset Beach and we will do everything, that Meg will stay with us." When the movie was over, Ben got up "It's already half eight, so I will prepare our dinner now." Just at this moment, the doorbell was ringing "Well, who can that be?" Ben wondered and opened the door. For his surprise, Meg stood in front of him. "I have missed you so much, Ben." Ben was speechless for the first moment, then he took Meg into his arms and swirled her around "We have also missed you a lot." He put her down at her feet again and kissed Meg "I love you Meg Cummings and I will never let you go again." Meg smiled at him  "I don't want to leave you again. If you like, I will go with you and Mary Ann to Sunset Beach." Now Ben smiled too "Really, that's the best Christmas gift I ever have gotten." They kissed each other again and it still became a wonderful evening for everyone.

***Epilogue***

Almost a year later, a few days before Christmas, Ben stopped his rented car in front of the house in the mountains. Mary Ann immediately jumped out of the car "Everything is still the same here, like last year, dad." Ben also got out, walked around the car and opened the front passenger door. "You are right, Mary Ann." Meg got out, stretched herself and took a deep breath "It's a good air here and a wonderful peace of earth." Ben stepped behind Meg and put his arms around her waist "You are right Mrs Evans, it is beautiful here."  Meg turned around to Ben "I am so sorry, that we couldn't come here in the summer." Ben smiled "You know exactly why Tyus forbade you to travel, so don't  worry about it. We still will spend many summers and winters here." "Mom, dad, come on and let us finally go inside." Mary Ann kicked restlessly from one foot to the other foot. Meg smiled at the girl. She loved that the child called her Mom. It has been the most wonderful surprise for her, when Ben had given her the adoptions paper for Mary Ann on their wedding day, four months ago and the girl had asked, if she could call Meg mom now. Meg took the key out of her coat pocket and handed it to Mary Ann. "Here unlock the door." The child took the key and went over to the door. Ben opened the back door from the car and got a baby seat out. "It's time, that we show everything to our son now." Meg smiled "Ben, Nicholas is only three weeks old. I guess you have still to wait till next year, to show him everything here." Ben looked at his wife "Meg, this is a quite special place for our family. Here you found us and Nicholas has to know, what this place mean to us." Meg stepped toward Ben and kissed him "I love you Ben Evans, and my love for you grows up more and more every day." Ben looked into Meg eyes "I love you so much, that I can't put it in words at all." "Ben we should go inside, it is to cold for Nicholas here outside." Ben nodded, took Meg's hand and together they entered the house.

***End***