***Ben’s POV***

                “Do I have to introduce myself, or should I just get your drink order?” I asked sarcastically as I seated Jay and his girlfriend, Ali’s best friend, Dekka.

                “Are you being rude? Should I report you to the owner of this fine establishment? I have connections you know!” Jay said and I laughed. “Yea Jay, my best friend’s dad that I’ve known since I was, like, 3. And you have connections.”

                Jay frowned. “Yea…about your best friend…watch out for him Ben. You know how selfish Chris can be,” he said. I nodded, though it wasn’t a question. Yea. Chris was selfish, jealous, sarcastic, mean, manipulative, and possessive. I knew all that.

                “He’s just…he’s really jealous of how close you and Ali are. And you know when he gets jealous like that he’ll do whatever he can to drive you guys apart. Try to keep it all together, for the kids,” he said with a shrug.

                As I took their drink orders, panic exploded inside of me. Chris knew me better than almost anyone. He even knew me better than Hanley. Ali was probably the only person that knew me better than Chris. Chris was smart. He could easily find a way to break me and Ali up.

                I gulped.

                                                                                ***Ali’s POV***

                “Like it’s dynamite!” The boys were giggling and singing along to Dynamite. I smiled at them. The way they said it made it sound like “dyvavavvaaaa!”

                My iPod shuffled to The Murderer by Alesana and the boys cheered and started dancing to it. I laughed. Ben had gotten them into screamo. He always played it around them and surprisingly, it didn’t scare them. They loved it.

                “Mommy, can I have juice?” Shane asked. I nodded and picked him up. “Of course baby! Do you want anything to drink Shawn?” Shawn nodded and followed me into the kitchen.

                I handed the boys sippy cups with apple juice in them and they drank thirstily. I laughed as I heard the new song playing on my iPod

I dip like chips

Write murder on my mouth

Now read my lips

Now ladies and gentlemen let’s go for a ride

All my life I’ve been different

Keeping it 110% real

You feel me get lifted

But then again we like to get weird

                I glanced at the boys and began to wonder what they would be like when they grew up. Would they be stubborn like Ben? I knelt down with them and they came over to me and hugged me as they drank. I smiled and kissed their lips.

                “Mommy, can we go to the park?” Shawn asked. I thought about it and nodded. “Sure!” I said with a bright smile. Ben wouldn’t be home from work for a little while.

                I grabbed some water bottles and a pack of band aids and threw them in a bag. I also quickly made a sandwich for the boys. They could share one.

                I loaded the boys into the car and put Wallace in the cage JJ had bought for him. I drove the boys to the park and we got out of the car. I sat down and watched as the boys eagerly ran to the play set.

                A woman was over there playing with a little girl I assumed to be her daughter. I grabbed my cell phone and began to text Ben to tell him we might be at the park when he got home.

                I heard a shrieking and looked up in terror. Shawn was on the ground crying and screamed, grabbing his arm in pain.

                I jumped up and ran over to him as the woman knelt down and tried to calm him down. “Shawn, what happened?” I asked, kneeling next to him. “Bee!” he sobbed, crying harder. He reached his arms at me and I could see where the bee had stung him.

                I picked him up and gently soothed him. I sat him down on the step of the play set and carefully got the stinger out of his arm. He cried more. “Mommy it hurts!” he shrieked.

                “Sh Shawn, it’s okay,” I hushed and kissed his forehead. “It hurts!” he repeated. I picked him up and gently rocked him. “It’s okay Shawn. You’re okay,” I assured and kissed him again. “Mommy!” he cried in agony, crying so hard I was getting scared. “It hurts!”

                “Shawn please calm down!” I begged. “I want daddy!” he screamed, squirming in pain in my arms. I managed to calm him down a little. He sniffed. He had almost stopped crying.

                “I want daddy,” he whimpered. I sighed. Ben probably wasn’t home yet. “I’ll see if he’s home, okay buddy?” He nodded. I grabbed my cell and dialed Ben’s number. “Hello?” Ben asked. “Ben? Are you home?” “On my way. I’ll be home in about 5 minutes. Why?” “Shawn wants you. He got stung by a bee. I’ll meet you at the house.” “Okay,” he said, concern shining in his voice. I hung up and kissed Shawn.

                “Shane!” I called. He and the little girl came over. “Come on honey, we’re going home,” I said. He frowned. “But mommy! I wanna play with my new friend!” he whined. The little girl nodded. I mentally smiled at him.

                “I’m sorry buddy. But your brother needs daddy.” He frowned but came over and held my hand. “Come on. We should leave as well,” the woman said to the little girl.

                “I’m sorry about my son’s little…episode. I’m Ali. Ali Zandi,” I introduced, releasing Shane’s hand to shake the woman’s. “I’m Mariah Kennedy. And don’t worry about it. He’s a little boy being stung by a bee. This is my daughter Newt.” She nodded at the little girl who waved shyly.

                “These are my twin boys, Shane and Shawn,” I said. “Shawn is the one with the bee sting,” I added when she looked like she was trying to figure them out.

                I sighed. “I’m sorry. I have to take him home now so his dad can comfort him.” I gave Shawn a gentle smile as he fought back more tears. She nodded in understanding. “It was very nice to meet you. You know, Newt doesn’t really have any friends. Maybe you could bring the twins back so the 3 could have a play date sometime?” I smiled widely. “I would love that! Tomorrow at about noon?” She nodded and smiled kindly.

                I waved and brought the boys to the car. I drove home and carefully picked up Shawn. Shane followed us as we went inside the house.

                “Shawn!” Ben cried and hurried over to us. “Daddy,” Shawn whimpered before bursting into tears again and reaching for him. Ben picked him up carefully and kissed him. “Are you okay little man?” he asked in concern.

                “Bee stung me daddy!” he sobbed and showed his arm. Ben kissed it gently and cradled Shawn lovingly. “You’re okay,” he promised and kissed Shawn again.

                “Dat?” Shane asked, pointing at Ben’s pocket. “Dat” translated to “what the hell is that?” I glanced at Ben’s pocket and glared. “Benjamin Robert Jarvis,” I hissed. He held his hands up. “They’re Jay’s. He was freaked that his step mom was going to check his room so he gave them to me to hold on to. It’s a full pack. You can hold on to them if it makes you feel better,” he said, handing me the pack of cigarettes.

                I sighed. “Sorry Ben. I just don’t like you smoking. It’s a terrible influence and it’s bad for you. I don’t want to lose you young. My uncle died when I was 12 from lung cancer caused by smoking,” I said quietly. He and I had been close.

                Ben moved in and hugged me, making sure one of his arms gently held Shawn as he did so. I hugged him back tightly. “I love you Ben,” I whispered, smiling. “I love you too Ali,” he said and kissed me deeply.

                As he took Shawn to take care of the bee sting, I began to explain to him about the woman I had met today and how the boys had a play date tomorrow. Maybe the boys could finally make a friend. Ben and I both smiled at the thought.