Sunset Beach Discussion Group

Topic: Fan Fiction: forgotten Vows (part 68)

“you know Maria, you have a gift,” Gabi informs her. “I didn’t know I did Gabi,” Maria states as she hands Mariah to Ben, who places her cheeks with his and playfully nibbles on her chin. He knew she liked it when he did, simply because she has her luminous eyes wide-awake.

And do tell Gabi, what gift does this beautiful babys mother has?” Ben questions. “well you’re bias Ben,” Gabi adds. “and how I’m I bias?” “because Maria told me.” “and what you believe everything Maria tells you?” “well she does know you better then anyone else,” Gabi continues. “besides Maria she really sees in people,” Gabi says. “how do I do that?” Maria asked. “I don’t know I just can’t explain its like…” Gabi pauses not able to explain as she throws a look at Ben. “do you want to help me out here?” Gabi suggests. “oh no Gabi I thought I was bias,” Ben continues with an amused smirk on his face. “now you were saying?” “I was saying everyone life Maria touches she has a hold on them and their lives,” Gabi mentions. “now that wasn’t so hard was it?” Ben teases Gabi. “well I wish that’s not the case Gabi,” Maria tells her in regret. “well it’s the truth Maria. It just shows there so much people that loves you.” “well sometimes I wish I wasn’t loved so much,” Maria answers as frown begins to crease on Bens forehead.

“well why not you have all these people that love you and care for you- more like have the habit in driving me crazy,” Maria interrupts. “I don’t get it,” Gabi was confused and looks at Ben, who only nods his head at Gabi wanting her to carry on and deepen the conversation. “I don’t expect you to understand Gabi.” “the tell me and make me understand,” Gabi goes on. “can you imagine what it would mean if I had a hold in someone’s life. if anything happened to me, touched me or hurt me, they will never be able to live or forgive themselves,” Maria observes and stares back at Ben. “they will think and feel they have failed to protect me, and they would be living with nothing but guilt. And instead of loving me they will begin hate me and the memories we shared together, thinking and believing I have ruined their life,” she pauses while Ben witnesses the tears fill her eyes. “and I can’t live with that,” Maria finishes and walks out of the room…

**** “Vanessa!” Meg calls out to her good friend who had dropped by the liberty co-operation to show off her daughter Maggie to her work colleagues. “Meg hi,” Vanessa greets her, while Maggie rested on her arms tied up with straps on her chess. “I didn’t know you were coming with Maggie today?” Meg says surprised. “yeah, everyone wanted to see her, so I thought why not today seeing I have spare time in my hand,” Vanessa explains. “I feel like we haven’t spoken in ages,” Meg states. “yeah having this little one in my life, its pretty time consuming.” “yeah, having a baby can change someone’s whole life,” Meg adds. “you could say that again,” Vanessa agrees yet she noticed Meg didn’t look happy.

“how’s things with you Meg?” Vanessa asked. “yeah good,” Meg pretends. “you know Meg I’m still you friend and you can still talk to me about anything if you choose to,” Vanessa reminds her. “I know, it’s just…” Meg pauses as tears began to flood. “god Vanessa everything is such a mess,” Meg finally lets out. “hey come on, why don’t we have a little chat,” she suggests and holds Meg by the shoulder…

**** Gabi knocks on Antonio’s office at the mission. She heard him saying come in, as she did. He looked up at Gabi surprised yet a pleased smile appeared on his face. “Gabi hey, what can I do for you?” he asked. “I just came to see how you are?” Gabi informed him. “well I’m good. Please sit down,” he gestures her to take a seat on the opposite chair of his desk. He broods at her in interest as smirk appeared on both their faces. “what?” Gabi asked. “nothing. I know you here because something’s on your mind. So go on start spilling.”

“I went to see Maria and her baby,” Gabi tells him. “is Maria okay,” Antonio became anxious and worried. “yeah she’s fine. I was at her’s for quiet some time,” Gabi continues. “isn’t Mariah gorgeous,” Antonio asks her. “yeah she’s beautiful.” “so what’s the problem?” “Antonio why didn’t you tell me she was so sick…”

**** Annie opens the door at 1305 Ocean Avenue. “Ben,” Annie was surprised to see him, while Ben budges in. “come in,” Annie says sighcasticlly, when he already has done so. “you are unbelievable!” Ben shouts at her. “I get it you’re angry with me,” Annie suggests. “don’t play games with me!” Ben shouts at her. “why are you shouting at me, I have done nothing okay,” Annie defends herself. Ben was fuming in rage and picks a glass up and throws it on the wall smashing into pieces. “god sake Ben what’s the matter with you?” Annie asked confused. “I have had it up here with you. When you needed help I gave it to you, when you needed a friend I was there. I even helped you to get you shares back.” “I know, and I’m grateful.” “what kind of friend are you. You say you love Maria, you care about Maria- but I do,” Annie interrupts. “yeah and you have this tendency to become a saint around Maria don’t you telling her the truth, when she doesn’t have to know.” “Ben I don’t know what you’re talking about- don’t lie to me Annie!” Ben interrupts making Annie scared. “I know it was who put the gardenia in my briefcase,” Ben accuses her. “no Ben- and I know it was you who told Maria the truth about what I went through when we thought she was dead, and how a smashed her painting” Ben goes on.

“just like you told her that Meg wore her white dress on her death anniversary. You just can’t help yourself can you, when I thought I was making some progress with her, but because of you, because- but Ben!” Annie tries cutting in. “shut up!” Ben tells her in full rage. “you decided to tell her what I went through. Well now thanks to you Maria might never get better, because as always you’ve told her things about the past like you told her I was her husband. You never think do you or learn from your past mistakes. You don’t think or care about anyone else but yourself and what you can get out of it.” “that’s not true,” Annie cries. “I’ve played your games too much in the past Annie and I am not going to let Maria go through the hell I went through, but thanks to you she is.” “Ben you have to let me explain,” Annie cries. “yeah you are going to one thing, and that’s you are going to stay the hell away from Maria, you hear me. If you don’t I will physically stop you myself if I have to. You stay away from me and my family!” without saying another word Ben walks out leaving Annie sobbing…

**** Ben and I we’re not how we were,” Meg confides to Vanessa. “it feels like all his time is cut up with the kids and Maria,” Meg goes on. “well Meg, you can’t let Ben choose between you and his children. That would be unfair, there part of him.” “I didn’t think it would be this difficult but Vanessa, I’m so scared in loosing Ben. I feel like his slipping from my hands day by day,” Meg stresses as she puts her hands on her forehead. “this couple of days Ben has been so cold towards me. He hasn’t even touch me and we haven’t even…” Meg pauses. “made love?” Vanessa finishes her sentence. “its since the party at Maria’s the other day… it feels like I have done something wrong.” guilt surfaced inside Vanessa as she remembers what she told Ben. She didn’t want to interfere but she had to know the truth, which what’s causing Meg’s unhappiness. If Meg knew the truth that she told Ben what Meg told her in confidential, Meg may blame her for the problems in her marriage. Something her husband had warned her against, Vanessa my find herself conflicting over both friendship.

“that’s probably because something did happen at the party after you’d left Meg,” Vanessa informs her. Megs blue eyes widens staring back at Vanessa. “well what, I knew it,” Meg says. “Vanessa you have got to tell me,” Meg demands. “I’m sorry Meg I can’t. I should get going, I should never have opened my mouth,” Vanessa states as she gets up from her seat.

“Vanessa wait!” Meg stops her. “you can’t just tell me something like that and then want to leave. I deserve to know if something happened between Ben and Maria. I am his wife,” Meg reminds her. “you’re right Meg you do deserve to know the truth, but I’m sorry I can’t tell you,” Vanessa apologises. “why not, we have been friends for over three years Vanessa,” Meg adds. “I know Meg and that’s what makes it difficult. I don’t want to get involved in this and if you want to know what happened then you need to talk to Ben. I’m sure he’ll tell you. Bye,” Vanessa walks off.

“Vanessa!” Meg calls her again but Vanessa doesn’t look back and only keeps walking with Maggie in her arms…