In Name Only Read online

  Sky nodded. She would have to hire a nurse; she was not going back to Ben’s house.

  “Okay Grandma, I guess you better inform the family, while I get Sky checked in, I need some signatures, is your husband here?”

  “He better be,” Georgie hissed. She kissed Sky forehead and left her with the doctor. Georgie returned to the waiting area. Everyone rose.

  “How is she? Jana asked anxiously. Georgie smiled. Ben was there along with Jonathan.

  Ben stood by the window looking out. “Ben get yourself over here,” Ms Georgie said tersely, “You need to go to admissions, they are going to keep her overnight, and by the way congratulations, you are the father of twin girls.”

  Ben stared at his mother. “Twin girls?” he repeated stunned.

  Georgie smiled and nodded. Ben dropped his head. Edmond came to stand beside his brother.

  “Twin girls, I’m happy for you Ben,” Edmond said grinning. Ben looked at his brother, not sure how to react to the news. Jonathan looked at his uncle, their eyes met. Ben could not mistake the disappointment in his nephew eyes.

  “I’ll do better Jon, I promise.” Jonathan grinned at his uncle. Ben looked at his mother.

  “How’s Sky? Ben asked.

  “The doctor says it’s Toxemia, when she is released she has to be on complete bed rest, since she is determined to go to her house, I suggest when she gets settled in her room, we will have a family meeting with her.” All agreed. Ben left to admit her into the hospital. As he walked away, a smile was on Ben face. Twins. This was his chance to make this right for Sky. He was going to be a father. A sense of pride filled him

  Sky sat up in the bed. Dr Yancy had given her a mild sedative for pain, and she was beginning to feel a little sleepy.

  Ben eased open the door and entered the room. Sky lay with her eyes closed. Ben gazed at her face. How pretty she looked, he thought.

  Sky’s eyes opened seeing Ben standing at the foot of her bed watching her. She could not read his thoughts, she never could. He probably now will blame her for having twins. Ben opened his mouth to speak.

  “I don’t want to hear anything from you,” she said quietly.

  “Sky...,”

  “No Benjamin!”

  Behind him the door open; the whole family entered the room. Georgie sat beside the bed. Everyone else stood around the bed. Edmond, Jana, Jonathan, and Ben. Sky frowned and looked at each one, except Ben.

  “What wrong?” she asked looking at Ms Georgie.

  “This is a family meeting, Sky,” Georgie informed her.

  “Family meeting?” Sky repeated, confused. Georgie took Sky’s hand in hers.

  “Yes, now I know you want to go home, and I don’t blame you, but things has changed, you need care Sweetie, and you can’t do it alone, so we think you need to stay with Ben’s just until after my babies come home.” Georgie placated her.

  “Mom, no I don’t want to stay with him.” she stated desperation in her tone.

  “Sky...” Ben started to speak.

  Sky glared at him with narrowing eyes, frowning. “Why are talking to me?”

  Sky looked at Georgie desperation on her face. “Mom, can I stay with you, I don’t want to stay with him.”

  “If you like Honey, I see no harm in that.”

  “No Skylar, your coming home where you belong,” Ben stated firmly.

  “Why Ben, you hate me, you hate these babies, why are you doing this to me, just divorce me and get it over with please; I can’t live like this again!” She cried tears rolling slowly down her face.

  “Ben don’t get her upset, let her go to Mom’s,” Edmond offered.

  “No, Ed, she my wife!”

  Sky wiped angrily at the tears on her face. “Since when Ben have I been your wife, you have never acknowledged me as your wife, go to your girlfriend?”

  Georgie glared at Ben. She could not believe he took that cold Dina to his house and Sky saw her. She did not trust Dina, she had her claws dug in Ben for a while, and she wasn’t going to take them out until she had Ben signed, sealed and delivered to her. Georgie shook her head.

  Ben realized he had made a mess of things, how was he going to get her to believe in him again. Ben turned away and went to the window his back to the family.

  Sky dropped her head. The family remained silent. They needed this time to vent, they all realized.

  Sky’s head rose, looking over at his back. “Do you want your children?” Sky asked him softly.

  Ben turned and looked at her, Sky saw sadness in his eyes, something she never saw before, and it tugged at her heart.

  “Yes Sky I do want my children.”

  “Why now, Ben?”

  Ben moved closer to the bed. “I’ve watched you grow with my children and just now I didn’t realize this was miracle, a blessing, you’re carrying my legacy, a part of me inside you, and you love the babies unconditionally. You gave yourself to me freely, and I threw it back in your face because I couldn’t accept any change in my life I didn’t control, I can’t imagine not knowing these precious gifts, I want to know my babies Sky, I want to know you. I have treated you badly, I will admit, yet you married me anyway to save my career, and you did not ask any questions you just did it, and still I treated you badly. I blamed you for all of this, I was wrong. Sky, I want my children, and I want you to be happy.

  Georgie smiled. She was determined to get Sky and Ben together. She believed after Ben heard he was the father of twins, he relaxed a little, but with Ben who knows.

  “Honey, I would love nothing better than to have you stay with me, but your place is with your husband, not with me,”

  “We’re just roommates, that is what he tells his friends,” Sky said pointedly. “Mom please I don’t want his help, he doesn’t know how to take care of me,” Sky said, with desperation. “I can go to my house and hire a nurse, I don’t want to go back there.” she blurted tears filling her eyes.

  Edmond nudged Ben. Ben looked over at him. Edmond leaned towards his brother, and whispered. “You better start charming her, or you will never see your girls.”

  Ben moved to the other side of the bed, and sat on the beside her on the bed. Sky frowned and followed him with her eyes.

  “Sky, you are going home with me, you are my responsibility, I will take care of you,” Ben stated firmly.

  Sky frowned up at him. She turned her head and looked at Ms Georgie, ignoring Ben.

  Ben reached out gently turned her head back to him. He leaned close to her holding her face still.

  “You are my wife, I will take good care of you,” he said and his mouth closed over her. Sky stiffened pushing at his shoulders. After a second, she stopped pushing, instead her arms eased around his neck, returning his kiss. Ben raised his head gazing at her. The family watched smiling approvingly. Sky dropped her head. Georgie smiled, realizing just now, Sky was in love with Ben.

  “Look at me Skylar,” Ben demanded. Her head rose. “You are my wife, I will take good care of you, understand.” Sky reluctantly nodded, hoping she was not making another mistake. Sky looked at the family her cheeks heated from embarrassment. Everyone was smiling happily.

  “Well alright, this family meeting is officially over,” Georgie announced. She rose, the other congratulated the couple, and everyone left except for Ben.

  “Don’t ever kiss me again,” Sky said tersely.

  Ben looked over at her, a contented smile on his face. “I will kiss you whenever I want to, you are my wife.”

  “Not for long,” Sky stated spitefully.

  Ben smiled. “We shall see,” he said arrogantly and sat on the side of the bed close beside her. At that moment, Ben realized he didn’t want Sky to leave him.

  Ben held her face with his hand, his face close to her. He was going to kiss her, because he missed her taste, her soft lips beneath his. He knew he had been an ass to her and he was determined to make it up to her. She was giving him twins; he never would have thought twins. Ben felt the wall
he build slowly crumbling down. He decided immediately, he would get to know who Sky really was. Sky tried to pull her head away, his hand gently tightened on her face.

  “No Sky you will listen to me. I want us to be civil to one another.” he said his tone both serious and firm.

  Sky snatched her face away. “Civil!” she repeated. “I’ve been civil, you’re the one who insulted me, belittled me, and ignored me; you called me a blemish,” she accused.

  “I did not call you a blemish,” he stated shocked.

  “You said I was a blemish on your permanent record, and you brought your girlfriend to the house!”

  Ben dropped his head guiltily. Sky did not stop this airing felt good. She has never been able to voice her anger to anyone. She continued her tirade.

  “Do you think I wanted to marry you, do you think you’re so special that women fall over themselves just to trap you. Well Mr. Smith your not that special,” she lied hoping she sounded confident. “Divorce me now and I’ll leave, I promise you will never hear from us again. You do not want these babies, your only doing this because of your precious image. As far as I’m concerned, you and your image can go to hell. You hate me; and I refuse to accept your abuse of me any longer. I love your family, I like being a part of that, but I will not be a part of you. For once in my life I want to feel special, I want to feel loved.” her mouth shut and she folded her arms across her chest.

  Ben quietly sat beside her, hearing everything she said, she was right everything, but one. He didn’t hate her. So my timid little kitten has claws, he thought. A little more of her personality came shining. Ben than realized Sky was not the timid mouse he thought her to be, she was stronger than he thought.

  “Are you finished?” he asked patiently. Sky nodded.

  “First of all your right, I did call you a blemish, please forgive me, I was angry, and as far as Dina is concerned, she not my girlfriend, we are colleagues, she’s a naval officer also. Her being at the house was unfortunate, and I did not do it on purpose, we were on our way to a meeting, and I needed to get some papers from my office. I told her to wait, that I would only be a minute, but she came in anyway, I apologize for that also. I never meant any disrespect Sky, no matter what you think. You have given me twins, how can I not acknowledge them or you, I just want you to get stronger and be well, and I will take care of you Sky with everything that I am.”

  Sky watched him closely as he talk to her, searching for something, what she did not know.

  “Can we at least try and be friends?” he asked.

  Sky exhaled deeply. She wanted Ben to know his girls, more than anything in this world she wanted that. Could she allow his pass treatment of her die? Yes, she decided if only for the babies.

  “I’m willing to try Ben, for the sake of the babies.”

  Ben smiled. “Can we kiss on that to seal the deal?”

  “Why!” Sky said frowning.

  “Because I love how you taste,” he said huskily, arrogantly smiling. Sky stared her brow furrowed.

  “No,” she replied with fervor.

  Ben chuckled, turned her face back to him, kissing her soundly on the lips.

  “Good night Sky, I will see you early in the morning.”

  Chapter Nine

  Ben and Sky’s tumultuous relationship ebbed into an easy camaraderie. Before she arrived home, Ben had her room equipped for a long convalescence. The room appeared furnished as if it were a five-star hotel suite. The double bed she had, now a king-size. The small portable TV she brought from her house when she moved in was now replaced with a wall mounted flat screen; lap top computer and small stereo sat on a writing desk. Everything was at her fingertip, by either remote or intercom. A home care nurse was hired for her daily care. Only two weeks bedridden and Sky was becoming restless. She was thankful for Clara, for her company on those long days, Sky felt so alone. The only time she was out of bed was on Sunday, when the family joins them for dinner. Ben carried her from her bedroom to the dining room. While the family enjoyed the fried chicken, collard greens and sweet potatoes the sometime grace the table, Sky dined on bland baked chicken and garden salad.

  Ben begun spending more and more time with her, even coming home to have lunch with her, and having dinner with her in the bedroom, which Sky started looking forward to. This time they shared gave them more the opportunity to know and understand one another. Their relationship did improve, to the joy of his family. Other than a chaste goodnight kiss, that was the extent of any intimacy between them. Over time, Sky discovered she had more in common with Ben then she first thought. She never thought he had a sense of humor with his stodgy outward appearance. He was actually very funny. Some nights they lay together in her bed, watching movies, until both fell asleep.

  Ben even went with her on her doctor visits. Dr Yancy was pleased with Sky’s higher spirits, and commended Ben for the care he provided to her. Sky was happy, and she felt Ben was also satisfied with the arrangements.

  It was late, well after mid night when Sky woke hungry. Rather than bother Ben she decided to find herself something to eat. She eased from her room, making her was down the dimly lit hallway. She stilled, when she heard voices, one definitely female, the other her husband deep voice.

  “I need you Ben,” Sky heard the woman purr seductively. Then silence. Sky knew she should have returned to her room, but her feet refused to move. Coldness moved swiftly through her. “Dina,” she heard her husband say breathlessly. Again, silence. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what they were doing now. The situation made her wonder how many times did Dina come in the middle of the night, Seconds later, Sky heard a door open than close. Scalding tears run down her face. Hunger forgotten, Sky retreated to her bedroom, dejected. What did she expected? She thought disconsolately. The mistake she made was assuming Ben was a true husband to her. After all, he had no reason to be faithful to her. This was a marriage in name only. Ben was a handsome, virile man, a man with needs and she was not the woman Ben wanted. Ben may be the doting husband in the care of her but he did in spite of everything he still wanted Dina. This revelation should not have been surprised, early in their relationship he blunted told her he did not want her. How could she have forgotten that fact? Never again will she forget it.

  Lately Ben found himself rushing home, looking forward to his evenings with Sky. He loved to see her face a lit with joy. It amazed him how quickly their relationship had changed the past few weeks. Sky was more open and relaxed. In her transformation, he discovered a very intelligent woman, and a great conversationalist. He liked Sky better now than that shy, withdrawn person of the past. He wanted to make Sky happy. Where their relationship would lead, he was not sure, but right now he had to admit he was not sorry for the change in his life.

  Dropping his briefcase, and hat in the chair, he went to her room. Gently he rapped at her door, easing it open.

  “Hi,” he greeted, moving further into the room. She quietly returned his greeting, minus the smile he usually got when he came home. There was no joy on her face. Something was wrong; he could feel it. Ben sat on the side of the bed taking her hand in his. “Sky, you feeling okay?” he asked with frowning concerned.

  Her eyes lowered, she would not look at him when she spoke.

  “Ben why are you doing this?” she asked the question softly.

  “Doing what, look at me Sky.” Ben demanded gently. Her head rose.

  So beautiful, he thought looking into her eyes. He hoped his girls inherit her eyes.

  “All this,” she said, open her arms wide.

  “Because I told you I would take care of you,” he answered.

  “Are you happy Ben?”

  “Why Sky?”

  She ignored his question, asking another. “What happens after the babies are born?”

  “Nothing changes Sky,” he said firmly.

  Sky felt a lump from in her throat. He still wanted the divorce.

  Benjamin watched her closely. The expressio
n on her face suddenly had the look of disappointment. Ben’s eyes went down to her protruding belly. He saw her stomach move, two bumps rose on her stomach. Amazed, Ben reached over and placed his hand on her belly.

  “Don’t touch me Ben,” she warned, low and intense. Ben hand stiffened, and the room filled with tension.

  “Why? You’re my wife!”

  “I hate this!” she snapped.

  Ben felt the blood drain from his face, shocked by her unexpected outburst. He rose from the bed as if burned.

  “You never answered me, are you happy Ben?” She put the question to him again.

  “Does it matter Sky, I’m trying to be supportive, I’m trying to take care of you,” his words were emotionless.

  “So your not happy are you?”

  “Like I said it doesn’t matter, what is important are you and the babies.”

  Sky took a deep shuddered breath; she looked at him praying she keep the tears that threatened to spill down her face go away.

  “Ben I know you would like to be other places. I have come to terms with the fact I am not what you had wanted. I’m sorry about everything, I never meant for this to happen. If you rather be with Dina, than that is where you need to be, and as soon as the babies are born I will be out of your life, than you will be able to find happiness, just don’t sleep with her under this roof.”

  “What the hell are you talking about Sky?” he said confused.

  “I heard you last night, I went to get something to eat, and I heard you, if you can’t wait to be with her than just go and be with her, but not while you and I am in the same house, that is all I ask.”

  Her statement stunned Ben. Did Sky actually think he slept with Dina last night? Anger coursed through him. Anger at himself for thinking this situation could work; anger at Dina for coming uninvited at such a late hour at night, and at Sky for dictating to him what she will allow him to do.