#ben dyson

Cake galore.

Proud parents. Did you miss them?

More Honor.

Those phone calls were getting too frequent. Ever since they had gone to the Mitchells’ birthday party and met the Dysons, Hattie’s phone rang at least twice a day. At first Arthur was happy for his wife making new friends. That was until he learned all those phone calls were from a single person. Ben Dyson. 

Arthur wouldn’t call himself jealous. Rather... concerned. Despite where she had come from and all things he taught her, there was still something innocent about his wife. And he didn’t want to see her hurt. Well, not by other man than himself, of course.

His wife hung up at last.

“Was it Ben again?” Arthur asked.

“Yes.” 

The slight hesitation in her voice didn’t escape his notice. Did she want to deny it? Was she afraid of his reaction? 

“What did he want this time?”

“He asked me if I would become his gym partner.”

“Why didn’t he call me? I could show him a good workout.”

“He’s intimidated by you, Arthuro,” his wife said and the corners of her mouth twitched. “You’re very tall. You fill an empty room all by yourself.” He found her choice of words funny but flattering.

He raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“He’s just bored, Arthuro.”

“Bored? They have three kids and a dog. We have three of our own and I didn’t even have time to think of boredom.”

Hattie shrugged. “That’s what he said.”

Arthur didn’t grill her any longer, but came to a decision, that something must be done about the home-wrecker Dyson. He, Arthuro, will come down on him like a ton of bricks. But first he had to dug up all the dirt on him to know who exactly he’s dealing with.

He found where Dyson worked and followed him. When he went trough the park Arthur faked an accidental meeting. He gave Ben a friendly hug and planted a bug on him. That should do the trick without all the necessary leg work.

 They walked and chatted. Arthur was sizing Ben up while they did so. Ben was no match to him in terms of physical condition. Arthur would trample him into the ground if need be. But he was one of those types women of all ages were crazy about: long hair, boyish look, despite the fact that he was in his forties. 

Could Hattie fall for it as well? The longer they chatted, the more Arthur’s fist itched as he wanted to punch the other man. He barely listened to what Ben was saying. Something about planning to buy new toys for his kids or something. Arthur couldn’t stand the sight of him any longer and made up a reason why he had to go.

Should Dyson ever lay his dirty hands on Hattie, Arthur would end him. Even if it was the last thing he’d do.

When he came home, he was greeted by his youngest. It reminded him why he was doing all this in the first place. 

Homewrecker Dyson picked the wrong family. Arthur won’t allow anything or anyone to make these pretty green eyes sad.  

Kellie had a secret. It was weighing heavily on her shoulders, crushing her. She wondered how she’d gotten to this point in her life. When did she and Ben grow apart? Was it her fault? It must have been. She had been too focused on her career. Too busy to make sure their kids were doing well at school every day. When was the last time the two of them went out together? Their lives fell into a routine and slowly but surely they found less and less time for each other, spoke less, made love less. 

Ben too was absorbed in his work; his music and favourite toys. He complimented her less and less. It stung, but she knew she could have done more to keep him interested. She gained extra weight after Ocean had been born and she couldn’t find time between her work in the hospital and taking care of the kids to hit the gym. She kept putting it off and then one weekend everything spiraled out of control. It was the day when Arthur Stiles paid them an unexpected visit.

Ben answered the door. Kellie didn’t know something was wrong until she heard Arthur’s raised voice.

Arthur: “I already told you on the phone to stop calling her! She’s pregnant with triplets and needs to rest. She doesn’t need your calls to upset her every day! Can’t you get a hint?!”

Kellie and Ben met the Stiles at a party in the Mitchells’ house. She always thought they were a nice couple, maybe a bit cold and aloof, when it came to socializing with others. But on that weekend day Arthur Stiles looked anything but aloof.

    He yelled at Ben, he was shoving him until he had him pinned against the wall. It was so surreal. Arthur accused her husband of harassing his wife. Kellie didn’t believe any of it until she realized to her horror that Ben wasn’t defending himself. He didn’t deny those accusations. Why on Earth would Ben do something like that?

Arthur: “Have I made myself clear, Ben? One more call to my wife, to any member of my family and I’ll have my most loyal men to take you on a very long ride that might end with a nasty accident for you. You don’t want to leave behind a widow with three kids, do you, Ben?”

Ben remained stubbornly silent. Arthur grabbed him again and smashed him against the wall as though he could beat the response out of him. Well, he didn’t know Ben as Kellie did. Her husband may have not been the confrontational type, but in stubborness he had no match. Arthur could keep punching him, but Ben would remain silent even if it meant getting beaten into unconsciousness.  

Arthur: “Do you, Ben?”

For Kellie it was cue to intervene at last. She briefly considered calling the police, but maybe she could put an end to it without this turning into a scandal. Mrs. Stiles was a rising star after all. If news about this got out, it could affect Ben’s career as a musician. Thank goodness Arthur was still able to listen despite seething with anger and reluctantly let her pull him away from Ben.

Kellie: “That’s enough, Arthur. Leave him alone. You said what you wanted and now it’s time for you to go back home to your pregnant wife.” 

She deliberately mentioned his pregnant wife in hopes it would sober him up from the rage. It worked.

Arthur: “You better remember what I said, Ben! You hear me?”

And with that Arthur was gone leaving them there to sort out the mess. Kellie asked Ben for an explanation, but instead of answering he retired into his shell and locked himself in the children’s room with the toys. She wouldn’t get any word out of him in the next days either. She blamed herself. Maybe if she paid more attention to him, if she exercised and got back to shape, he wouldn’t feel the need to bother Mrs. Stiles. That’s when she decided to hit the gym at last and got herself into a whole new level of trouble.

He was exactly the type you dread running into in the gym when you’re terribly out of shape. One that makes you feel very self-aware, because unlike yours, his body is toned to perfection and he makes working out look like fun. He always adjusts the setting of every equipment to the maximum load, while you struggle even on the lowest settings.

Of course he noticed her instantly, because that’s how her luck works apparently. He teased her and she told him he’s her worst nightmare and why. It made him laugh. He pointed out that now when her worst nightmare had come true things could only get better. He was right and before she knew it she was laughing with him. 

He offered his help and advice and she accepted. To her utmost surprise he was finding her very attractive and he told her. She had long forgotten what it’s like to have a man’s undivided attention, to have him look at her the way this man did. One thing led to another...

Kellie threw caution in the wind and devoted herself fully to the workout with her self-appointed instructor...

And that’s how she found herself with a dirty little secret, because when you’re being reckless, there are always consequences. She won’t be losing any weight in the next months, that was certain.

And while everyone else is celebrating Justin’s birthday, Ben sneaks in the nursery to have fun of his own... with a tentacle toy...

Seriously, Ben. What will the Mitchells think of you?

No. He’s not giving it up. He flirts with it even.

They saw you, Ben. Yes, all of them. Even the little ones. I really don’t know how Kellie can put up with this.