Pandora looked away from Lana to Benjamin. She didn't remember hearing about a sister. "She was stillborn," Lana clarified, making her gasp. "I'm sorry," she said quickly and she gave Pandora a gentle smile. "When Ben was in here, I couldn't handle it to say that he forgot to breathe ten times a day, so I started calling it blips." Pandora nodded at her in understanding. "It does sound much better, just this is all new, I feel..." "Clueless? Like you're being judged for not knowing the right way to do things, or what to do?" Pandora nodded again because that was exactly how she was feeling. "I felt like that, too. I know it seems overwhelming, and that there is so much to learn with the boys being in the NICU. But, Pandora, I have faith that you can and will learn and be fine," Lana kissed her head before standing up. "I think I'll leave you two with your boys. I need coffee– do either of you need anything?" Pandora shook her head and Lana smiled again before turning and walking
FLASHBACK:“Benjamin, Mom knows something is up. You will have to tell her,” Alexis told Benjamin. "No, I don't. I am going to get an annulment; therefore, there's no need to tell her anything," he replied, checking his mirrors as he drove. "Then why are you still wearing the ring?" Benjamin glanced at her hand, still unsure why he couldn't take it off. "I'll remove it later." "Benjamin, she could be your one." He shook his head at her. "If she were, then I wouldn't have grown attached to another girl." Alexis looked at him and then frowned. "Benjamin, she's a patient, and she's married." "She's divorced," he gritted out. "Some divorced people get remarried again, she may still love him. The babies could bring them back together." "He doesn't care about her or them. Besides, she said they weren't his," he stated. Alexis just shook her head. "You're seeing this only from the way you want to see it. What about the father of the babies? I'm just asking that you look at the whol
"Have you heard of a spray tan and hair dye? I mean… this girl’s name was DORA?" Emily asked and he glared at her but she just glared back at him. "But she would remember me, wouldn't she? She would know I like her?" Emily snorted. "Pandora is very smart, but she's quite obtuse when it comes to certain things. There were at least six guys who made it painfully obvious they liked her back in high school, and she never picked up on it. They gave her flowers, candy, and cards, but she never got the hint." He chuckled as he looked at Emily. "Then why did she think they were giving the things to her?" "To say thank you because she was always helping everyone." "She still helps everyone." He smiled, shaking his head at Emily. "Just tell her your story about being married and she will then, in turn, tell you her story. Who knows; it may just match up?" He patted Emily's arm as she stood up. "Don't give my mind any false hope." He walked out of the room and headed back down to look af
The light from the window brought her out of her dream. She stretched and then rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Morning, sweetheart," Benjamin mumbled. "Morning," she replied as she moved her head off of his arm. Benjamin started to run his hand through his hair. As she watched him, she could see his mind was going a mile a minute. "Has something happened?" she prompted, and his head snapped quickly around so that he was looking at her. "What? No," he responded quickly, but his eyes were filled with guilt. "Then what is it?" she questioned even softer. "You are going to be discharged today," Benjamin informed, closing his eyes at the same time. "But the boys are... They have to stay—" she stuttered, cutting herself off. She should have realized that she would be getting sent home before them. "Love, I don't want to leave without them either, but we need to." Benjamin stopped and swallowed. "My dad has a big office here, and we can sleep in that maybe one or two nights, but we c
"It was so hard to cope with everything on my own. I was keeping our home clean, building on it, working full-time, and cooking. I think if I'd been truthful with myself, I would have realized I felt stuck because I didn't want to admit I was wrong. I didn't want to admit that I deserved better." "You do know now that you deserve better—so much better?" Benjamin whispered to her, but she got so caught up in his eyes that she didn't answer."Breakfast for two," someone said and she looked at the door to see Peter standing there, with an 'oh shit face'. "Thanks, Dad," Benjamin commented as he cleared his throat. He moved out of the bed as Peter walked into the room. "Well, I am going to sit with your mother and spend some time with my grandsons before I need to start work." Peter moved his eyes to Pandora. Then he proceeded to tell her how every one of their friends and family members was going to take turns watching the boys. In the end, Peter raised an eyebrow almost as if he was a
"Hey, sweetheart," her dad said as he walked in with Nina."Hi, Daddy," she said hugging him. "I am going to express some milk." She turned, giving Nina a look to ask if she would like to come with her. Nina nodded, picking up on her unspoken question. "Would you stay with my dad?" she asked Benjamin. "I would love to, sweetheart." Nina linked her arm with Pandora’s, and they walked to Peter's office, where her things were for the time being. "How has my dad been?" she asked once they were settled. "Pandora?" she tutted and she roll her eyes. "Has he been okay?" she repeated. "He's been upset, and I have locked up all of his guns. Milton has talked to the other officers at the station; we are on it." Pandora let out a breath, feeling relieved that they seemed to have a plan in place to stop her father from killing Derrik. "But Derrik's due some bad Karma, and by God, do I want a front-row seat to see it." "Bad Karma… he needs more than that," Pandora snarled. "What's going o
"What?" Pandora gasped out. "It's fine and the show isn't for another five months," she said as if those simple words would wash away her worries. "Just go with it, if you don't want to do it, it will be fine, too. While she loves clothes, she's not overly pushy," Benjamin whispered in her ear. "Oh, and I now have the hairdresser sorted out as well as the makeup artists." She looked at Maisey who was smiling away. "Who did you get?" Benjamin asked. "Ron, Pandora's friend. He runs a line of spas and salons. Keira works elsewhere but I heard she helps with marketing, doesn’t she?""Yes," Pandora smiled broadly, happy for her friends. "That is really nice of you, they are great." Maisey laughed and gave her a thumbs up. "And, I am so into his macho men photo shoot," Maisey commented as she wiggled her eyebrows. "He said I could design the costumes, so that means I get to dress Milton up. And by goodness, I have wanted to get my hands on that man's wardrobe for years now." In the e
Pandora’s mouth opened and then closed several times as she tried to get a grip on her thoughts. "WHAT?" she asked a little louder than she intended. "I know that Mackenna was not pregnant the last time I saw her, surely she hasn't had a baby that early?" "Pandora, she's claiming our boys are Derrik's," Benjamin explained softly, but her head shook without her knowledge. "No way," she growled. "Why would she think our boys have anything to do with Derrik?" "I think—" Benjamin stopped and swallowed. "I know they are mine. From what your father, Ron, and Milton have said about Derrik, I know that you wouldn't take the prick back. Don't doubt I know they are mine, but I think we should have a DNA test performed just in case he tries to throw us a curveball." She pulled back the tears that badly wanted to come from her eyes. "They're in here; they need us and he's still doing this shit?" she gritted out in a slightly raised voice. Benjamin looked around and jumped up, pulling her out