More than a feeling

by Anja

Chapter 06

After Meg had finished off all purchases, she drove up to George's garage. She got out and went in and looked around for the mechanic.

Meg: "George are you here?"

George: "I'm here behind!"

Meg followed the voice and found George stooped over an engine.

Meg: "Hi George. I wanted to ask, if the car of Mr. Evans is ready?"

George: "In the afternoon the car will be ready."

Meg: "Good. Thank you George. I'll tell Mr. Evans."

Meg left the garage and drove home. She thought again of Ben and the beautiful evening which they had together.

"Harm, that his car is already ready." thought Meg sadly "He certainly then wants to go back to California yet today."

When she reached the farm, she saw Ben and her father working together on the fence. Meg must smile. It looked like the two men got on well. Meg stopped the car, got out and went over to them.

Meg: "Hello you two."

Ben: "Hi Meg."

Meg: "As I see, my father has put you in at once."

Ben smiled at Meg.

Ben: "No, I have offered to help him. Movement at fresh air is good for me."

Meg: "You can collect your car this afternoon."

Ben: "Thank you, this was fast possible."

Meg: "So, I must into the house now. Mum waits for the purchases. See you."

Ben: "See you."

Ben watched Meg till she had disappeared with the purchases in the house. He didn't remark that Hank watched him at this.

Hank: "It's nice to see her laughing again. If I remember what this dung guy had done....."

Ben: "I have become acquainted with Tim last night. He still doesn’t leave her alone."

Hank: "She has told you about Tim?"

Ben: "Yes she did. And I think, her life will be better without Tim."

Hank: "You like to be right there but Meg was very hurt at that time. So we should work further now."

Ben nodded at Hank and they continued to work.

Meg unpacked the purchases in the kitchen.

Joan: "Do you help me with cooking?"

Meg: "With pleasure. What shall I do?"

Joan: "Begin with the vegetables. It must be cleaned and small cut."

Meg took the vegetables and started to clean it. At this she saw from the window and watched Ben and her father at work. She didn't noticed, that Joan kicked behind her.

Joan: "He is really an attractive man."

Meg: "Yes he is and also a wonderful dancer."

Joan: "I have already heard this."

Meg: "Of whom?"

Joan: "Jill has called me just now and wanted to know with whom you were in the Buckaroo yesterday."

Meg: "Jill? Where does she know this from again?"

Joan: "Mary-Ann had seen you and well then she asked Jill for this because she thought Jill as your friend would know notification."

Meg: "So and otherwise still had she told something?"

Joan: "Mary-Ann had said, that you two had looked very much in love and that Ben had you kissed."

Meg: "This was only because of Tim."

Joan: "Why because of Tim?"

Meg: "You would have been supposed to experience once as he has behaved again. Ben then has worked, when he would be my friend and has kissed me so. Tim then has finally gone after this."

Joan: "However, I don't think that Ben has kissed you only because Tim."

Meg: "Why do you think this?"

Joan: "I have seen how he always looks at you and how his eyes already come on at your name. And you like him also or what anyway?"

Meg: "Yes I like Ben. But....."

Joan: "What but?"

Meg: "Mum, I know Ben only since yesterday and today he will be driving back to California again."

Joan: "Meg, what you just experience is love at first sight and believe me, if Ben really like to see you again, he'll find a way for this."

Meg: "I hope so very much. Mum, what I only shall do?"

Joan: "I can't help you also much further small there. I tink the best will be, you talk with Ben."

Meg: "Yes, perhaps this is the best."

Joan: "So, you bring the two once a refreshment now."

She handed Meg a jug with ice tea and two glasses.

Joan: "Meg, don't make so many thoughts to you. Ben surely also will want to talk with you. This morning he was disappointed when you already had left."

Meg: "Thanks Mum."

Chapter 07

Ben slowly drove along the drive to the farm. He remembered that he would be in Sunset Beach in a couple of hours again.

"Damned" he thought "Right now the business doesn’t allow that I stay any longer here."

When he stopped the car in front of the house, the front door opened and Meg kicked out. Ben got out and approached Meg.

Meg: "Is everything okay with the car?"

Ben: "Yes. Meg?"

Meg: "Yes Ben?"

Ben: "I would still like to talk with you alone before I must go."

Meg: "Yes, let us go for a little walk."

They went side by side a while and were silent. Ben took Meg's hand into his and both enjoyed the closeness of each other. When they arrived at a big meadow, they sat down in the grass.

Ben: "Meg?"

Meg: "Yes?"

Ben: "May I come again?"

Meg gave Ben a smile.

Meg: "You are warmly welcome any time."

Ben stroked Meg tenderly by the hair and looked deep into her eyes. He carefully leant to her and kissed her.

Ben: "I wish I could stay with you, my angel. But I must urgently back to Sunset Beach."

Meg: "I also wish you could stay."

Ben: "I have spoken on the phone to Gregory just now once again. There is trouble with the new project and I must be at Sunset Beach to clear this. However, I promise you, I come back as soon I can, my angel."

Meg: "Why do you always call me your angel?"

Ben smiled at Meg.

Ben: "You are suddenly and unexpectedly quite simply kicked in my life, like an angel."

Meg smiled back.

Meg: "I like this. It's a beautiful comparison."

They kissed each other once more.

Ben: "Will you come to me at Sunset Beach once too?"

Meg: "Surely I'll pay a visit to you there sometimes."

Ben: "Perhaps you also could imagine to live one day with me in California."

Meg: "Ben, I still need a little time for this. What Tim had done to me still sits to deeply."

Ben: "You have all the time you need, my angel. I know the pain only to well."

Meg: "Do you tell me about your wife?"

Ben: "There isn't much tell there. Maria and I, we became acquainted when we still were very young and got married very fast. We were very happy the first two years. One day my brother Derek visited us and everything got different from there."

Meg: "You seem very similar, you and Derek?"

Ben: "Externally yes, however he is from the nature quite differently. Maria has told me later I would be to gentle and considerate. Derek would know what he wants. What he wanted at last, I had noticed a short time later was Maria! And Maria wanted Derek! I then had the two gone, however I told them, that I would like to see her ever again. I had at that time never thought the feeling, the pain would stop."

Meg: "You must have loved Maria very much."

Ben: "Believe me, I'm not a man that simply falls in love. When I love, it isn't then only a feeling, it comes from deep inside."

They once more kissed each other.

Ben: "We should slowly walk back. My jet waits and the longer I remain, is more difficult for me to say farewell."

Meg: "Yes, let us go. Ben but before...."

Ben: "Yes?"

Meg: "Do you kiss me once again?"

Ben: "Nothing I to do prefer, my angel."

He kissed Meg for a long time and tenderly.

Ben: "I already miss you now."

Meg: "I you too Ben. Let us go now, because the farewell is also difficult for me too."

Hand in hand they return to the house. Ben fetched his things from the guest-room and packed everything into his car. When he was ready, he went into the house again to say good bye to Joan and Hank.

Ben: "I would like to say thanks you for your warm hospitality."

Hank: "If you are in the area once again, you simply drop in. We would be very pleased."

Ben: "Thanks, I right take it up on you soon."

Meg accompany him out to his car. Ben took her into his arms.

Ben: "I'll quite often think of you and miss you very much."

Meg: "I'll miss you also very much."

Ben: "I really must go now. I'll come back soon, promised."

He kissed Meg to farewell. Then he climbed into his car and drove off. Meg watched him till the car had disappeared from her look. She mopped a tear of the cheek and returned into the house.

Chapter 08

Meg unenthusiastically pocked at her meal. Again and again she thought of Ben. Whether he was doing the same?

Joan: "Meg?"

Meg: "Please excuse me Mum, I was quite somewhere else with my thoughts."

Joan: "This have I noticed and I believe, I know which you were also. By Ben, isn't ?"

Meg: "Yes. I can hardly believe it. I've known him only since yesterday, but I miss him very much."

Joan: "And I think, he misses you too."

Meg: "What did you just want of me?"

Joan: "I only wanted to know, if you planned something tonight?"

Meg: "No. I want to write Vanessa actually. Perhaps she can tell me a little bit more about Ben."

Joan: "Do this, Vanessa can certainly tell you something about Ben."

Meg got up and went into her room. She started her computer and began to write a mail to Vanessa.

Ben sat at his desk in the office from the Deep. He must urgently take care of the bookkeeping, but his thoughts was in Kansas again and again. He frightened jumped high when it knocked at the door.

Ben: "Come in!"

Michael Boume entered the office.

Michael: "Hi Ben, great to see you back in Sunset Beach."

Ben: "Hi Michael. I had a car breakdown in Kansas and have been held back by this."

Michael: "Something like that determined angrily."

Ben: "At first it was, but than I had a lovely evening there."

Michael: "This sounds great."

Ben: "What brings you to me?"

Michael: "I wanted to ask you whether it works that I give a surprise party for Vanessa in the Deep on Tuesday. Once she has her birthday she puts herself up in work to the neck."

Ben: "This is a nice idea. You can have it here. Have you planned any more surprises for Vanessa?"

Michael: "I wanted to invite Vanessas best girl friend from Kansas. However I haven't been able to reach her yet. The tow of them haven't met for two years."

Ben: "The idea likes me. I think, also Meg would be to pleased about this."

Michael: "Meg? I haven't told you that the friend is called Meg."

Ben: "I got to know her in Kansas yesterday and as she heard, that I'm from Sunset Beach, she told me about Vanessa."

Michael had noticed that Ben's eyes shone at this.

Michael: "I have the feeling you like Meg."

Ben: "Yes, that is all right. She is enchanting. If you want, I look after this, that Meg will be here on Tuesday."

Michael: "If you could make this, this would be great. I think this would be the perfect surprise for Vanessa."

Ben: "I'll try to reach her at once. And I'll do everything for this, that she will be here on Tuesday!"

Michael: "Good! Then I need to care about the rest only. I don't want do disturb you further. Thanks again for your help."

He got up and left the office. Ben switched his computer on.

Meg was still writing the mail for Vanessa. There was so much that she had to tell her and she would so much to know about Ben. She was frightened when a chat window opened.

Ben: Hello my angel.

Meg: Hello Ben.

Ben: I had the feeling that you should be online.

Meg: Yes, I write to Vanessa.

Ben: Michael was just with me. He plans a surprise party for Vanessa on Tuesday.

Meg: Oh yes, it's her birthday. I like the idea of Michael. It sounds great.

Ben: Really? Then the second part of Michael's surprise certainly also suites you.

Meg: Still a surprise? What is it?

Ben: Michael would like for you to come as a surprise guest.

Meg: A good idea and I would like to come, but whether I get a flight.

Ben: You don't need worry about this. I'll send the company jet to you.

Meg: The company jet?

Ben: Natural! I would do everything for this so that you come to Sunset Beach.

Meg: Well, then I like to come.

Ben: However, remember that it shall a surprise for Vanessa, please.

Meg: Yes. I'll remember that. I'm already very pleased to see for Vanessa again.

Ben: And what about me?

Meg: I look forward to you quite particularly.

Ben: I'm already pleased to hold you in my arms again, my angel.

Meg: Ben?

Ben: Yes?

Meg: I miss you.

Ben: I you too. Within two days you are with me. I'll count the hours until then.

Meg: Me too.

Ben: Now I wish you a good night.

Meg: Good night and sweet dreams.

Ben: I'll dream of an angel, my angel. Good night.

Meg: Good night.

Meg turned the computer off. She could hardly believe, that she would be with Ben in Sunset Beach already this soon. She went in the bed and fell asleep very soon.

Chapter 09

Meg still couldn't think that Ben had sent this jet only for her. She leant back into the comfortable leather armchair and enjoyed the flight. She was already in Sunset Beach in her thoughts. The voice of the steward broke her thoughts.

Jim: "May I bring you a coffee or something else?"

Meg: "No, thanks."

Jim: "Are you sure? Mr. Evans has told me to look after you well."

Meg: "Thanks Jim, I really need nothing. How long we still need to L.A.?"

Jim: "We will land in 30 minutes."

Meg: "Thanks Jim."

Eased Meg leant back again. She would see Ben in only another half hour again.

Ben nervously hiked up and down. He impatiently looked at his watch again. He actually wanted to collect Meg at Kansas personally, but still gave it to difficulties with the new business, so that he couldn't leave California. He looked on the white rose in his hand, which he had for Meg. He finally discovered Meg, which entered the airport building.

Ben: "Meg! I'm here."

He ran towards her and Meg also had discovered Ben. He took her to the welcoming into his arms.

Ben: "I'm so pleased that you are here, my angel."

Meg: "I'm also glad that I'm here."

Ben: "This one is for you here."

He presented Meg the rose.

Meg: "This one is lovely. My favourite flower."

They looked each other deeply into the eyes. Ben took Meg into the arms again and kissed her.

Ben: "Now we should go."

Meg: "Yes. I'm already very curious about Sunset Beach."

Ben took Megs suitcases and the two left the airport building. Ben opened the trunk of his black Mercedes and put Megs suitcases in. He turned around, smiled at Meg, took her in his arms and kissed her again.

Ben: "I have missed you so much, my angel."

Meg: "I have also missed you, Ben."

Ben opened the front passenger door for Meg.

Ben: "Please, get in."

Meg gave a smile at him and got in. Ben closed the door, walked around the car and sat down behind the steering wheel. He started the car and filtered into the traffic skilfully.

Ben: "We must only decide now, where you would like to live. I can accommodate you in a hotel or you can live in the guest-room with me. You also can stay with Vanessa, but this can we only see tonight. She still knows nothing of your visit."

Meg: "I would like to come with you. I would like to see your house and how you live."

Ben: "I have hoped for this."

Meg: "Do you have a big house?"

Ben: "Well, it just isn't small. I had it built with Maria shortly after our wedding. I thought at that time, we would have children sometimes. I'm glad that we have none, after what happened."

Meg: "And where is your house? In the middle of the town or outside?"

Ben: "It's directly at the beach. You can see the sunset from the terrace every evening."

Meg: "Oh Ben, this sounds wonderful."

Ben: "It also is. You can look at everything in a couple of minutes. Today, I can't show you around Sunset Beach and we can't go to the beach neither, since Vanessa could run into you there."

Meg: "I don't mind spending this time with you."

Ben stopped the car in front of a great beach villa.

Ben: "So, we are there. Here I live."

Meg: "Ben, this is really a dream, leave us quickly go in, I'm already quite curious what it looks from the inside."

Ben laughed and got out. He opened the car door for Meg and she got out. Then he unloaded her suitcases and opened the front door.

Ben: "Welcome at my home."

They entered the house and Meg looked around.

Meg: "Wow Ben, this is really terrific."

Ben: "Great that you like it, you can feel like at home."

He pulled her to himself and kissed her again.

Ben: "I should show you the guest-room perhaps at once, so that you can freshen up a little."

Meg: "Yes, this would be good."

Ben took Meg's hand and led her to the upper floor. He entered with her a comfortably furnished guest-room.

Ben: "You may stay here as long you would like. And I hope this will be long, very long."

Meg gave a smile at Ben.

Meg: "Thanks Ben, it's very beautiful."

Ben: "The bathroom is there. I leave you now so that you can get dressed. Simply come down when you are ready. I'll wait for you there."

Meg: "Good to know."

She smiled at Ben. He got closer and took her into his arms again.

Ben: "I still can't believe, that you actually are here with me, my angel."

Meg: "I'm really here. Simply kisses me once again and you will notice it."

Tenderly Ben looked at Meg and kissed her very long.

Ben: "I wouldn’t never had thought, that something like happens to me again. After Maria has left me, a world has caved in for me. I thought, I could never love so much again and then has an angel opened the door in Kansas and my life changes."

Meg: "However I have made nothing and you hadn't know me anyway at all."

Ben: "When I saw into your eyes the first time, it had happen around me. I got the feeling at once that we already had met a long time ago. I immediately knew we are meant for each other."

Meg: "I felt similar and I still can't believe that you also feel."

Ben: "You may believe me I love you, my angel."

Meg: "And I love you, Ben."

They kissed each other again.

Ben: "I go now and I wait downstairs for you."

Meg: "Well Ben, I won't need for a long time."

Ben left the room and Meg started to unpack her suitcase. She chose a light summer dress for herself and went into the bathroom to shower.

Chapter 10

Ben merrily prepared a small snack for Meg and himself. He felt so indescribable happy. He would most of all have never see Meg gone again. He turned round when he heard how Meg came down the stairs. She looked enchanting in the short blue summer dress. Meg smiled at Ben and approached him.

Meg: "And do you like what you see?"

Ben: "I can't describe it in words. Come here."

He pulled her to himself and kissed her.

Meg: "Wow, this manner to say likes me."

Ben: "Well, I like it also. I hope you are hungry, I have a little snack prepared for us."

Meg: "Yes and you don't know how much. Today, I still haven't been able to eat anything because of sheer excitement."

Ben: "I then may my angel ask you now to table. What would you like to drink? Coffee, tea or a glass of wine?"

Meg sat down at the lovingly spread table.

Meg: "I would like a cup of coffee, please."

Ben: "You shall get."

He poured Meg fresh coffee. He then sufficed her plates unite with sandwiches and Meg started to eat hungrily.

Ben: "We must be at the Deep in approximately one hour. Vanessa's friends then will arrive and Michael then will bring Vanessa. Everything hopefully turns out ok."

Meg: "This will turn out all right. I think Michael has this everything in the handle."

Ben: "Do you know Michael?"

Meg: "Yes, Vanessa and he paid me a visit two years ago. He and Vanessa go together terrifically."

Ben: "Yes, it's true they are a beautiful couple. Vanessa and Michael did at the time when Maria and Derek went away, help me very much. Perhaps I wouldn't be alive without them both."

Meg: "Oh, what happened then?"

Ben: "I locked me up in my office at the Deep for days and didn't want to see or talk to anybody. I have alone for Vanessa and Michael to thank, that I not in quite deep or bad depressions had fallen. Michael and Vanessa talked with me for hours and Vanessa took care of that the press let me alone."

Meg got up and went over to Ben. She looked him deeply into the eyes and gave him a smile.

Meg: "I must be really very grateful to Vanessa and Michael."

Ben: "Yes, I also believe this."

He bent forward and kissed her.

Meg: "Ben?"

Ben: "Yes my angel?"

Meg: "I would like to go to the Deep now, so that I can look at everything in quiet. I would like to see, where and how you work."

Ben laughed.

Ben: "Your wish is my order."

He took Meg's hand and they left the house together. They arrived at the Deep a short time later.

Ben: "Well, this is my empire. Look quite around."

While Meg looked around, Ben went over to the music plant and turned it on. He chose a certain CD and inserted it.

Ben: "May I ask for this dance, Meg?"

Meg: "I'm pleased."

Ben pulled Meg to himself and they started to dance slowly. The saw each other deep into the eyes.

Ben: "This is my favourite song. Beyond The Sunset. It's from me for you."

Meg: "Ben, this is lovely. I love this song. As of now it's our song."

They forgot the world around themselves and kissed each other. The didn't notice that a couple of young people had entered the Deep at all.

Casey: "Ah, I don't want to disturb, but shall not Vanessa's party take place here?"

Ben and Meg frightened pulled away from each other.

Ben: "Yes, you are right Casey. Great that you are here. May I introduce Meg Cummings to you. She is Vanessa's girl friend from Kansas and today's surprise guest."

Casey: "A surprise guest for Vanessa? I just had the impression that it's not only Vanessa that is pleased about Megs presence. Hi Meg, I'm Casey Mitchum, a friend and colleague of Michael."

Meg: "Hi Casey, well you are then rescue swimmer, too?"

Casey: "Yes, may I introduce the rest of our group to you?

Meg: "I like to be pleased to become acquainted with you."

Casey: "Well, the young man here is Mark Wolper. He works by the way for Ben here in the Deep and in the Java Web. This charming company is Gabriella Martinez, called Gaby and this here is my girl friend Rae Chang. She is the best doctor of Sunset Beach."

Meg: "Rae, Gaby and Mark nice finally meet you. Vanessa has already told me much about you. If I remember correctly, all of you live in a beach house together."

Mark: "Yes, you are right there. We call it this Surf Cental. Welcome in Sunset Beach. How long do you intend to remain?"

Meg: "I don't know this so exactly yet. I think I'll be here for a while."

Ben: "I'll do my best one for this, that you don't want away form Sunset Beach any more."

Casey: "I don't want to be pressing friends, but Michael will arrive with Vanessa at once. Shouldn't we hide Meg?"

Ben: "This is a good idea. Meg, why don't you go upstairs to my office and wait there? I then fetch you."

Meg: "Yes, this is a good idea. Show you me your office?"

Ben: "Of course, come along."

He took Meg's hand and led her into his office. He kissed Meg there once again.

Ben: "See you, my angel."

Meg: "See you, Ben."