Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 17:07:58 +0000
From: Ben nobody <ben_sc@hotmail.com>
Subject: Ben's Gift-beginnings-chapter 4

Ben's Gift

By Ben

Chapter Four


Ben found his friends in the small waiting room. They were sipping coffee
from large Styrofoam cups and talking quietly. When they saw him come into
the room, Jose handed him a cup of his own and Ricky motioned for him to
sit between them on the couch.

"You must not worry, Ben." Ricky reassured him. "Miguel is watching out for
him, and the surgeon is the very finest. Berto will be just fine." Ben
received a comforting hug from his handsome friend.

Jose took Ben's free hand into his own, wrapped his long slender fingers
around it and held it firmly. He then leaned over and gave Ben a tender
kiss on his neck. Under other circumstances, this might have turned Ben
on. After all, Jose was an extremely attractive man and an excellent
kisser, but sex was the furthest thing from his mind that morning.

Ricky's cell phone chirped softly and he answered it. Generally it was
against hospital rules to use it inside the building, but this was a
private waiting room and Ricky had paid a lot of money for them to use
it. He was confident that nobody would object.

"Hola? Si, mi hermana. Si, uno momento," Ricky rand off. "It is Carla she
is parking in front the hospital. She has asked that we meet her at the
entrance and bring her to the waiting room."

Jose rose immediately. "I will go for her, Enrique. You stay here with Ben.
May we bring you anything? Something to eat?"

Both Ben and Ricky declined the offer but thanked Jose for his generosity.
They watched as Jose's tall slender form disappeared through the
doorway. Ben glanced at Ricky's face as he watched Jose leave. After all
the years that they had been together, the love and sexual attraction that
Ricky felt for Jose was clearly evident in his expression.

"How is he doing, Ricky?" Ben asked.

"He is doing very well, Ben. It seems he has finally left the horror of the
plane crash behind him." Ricky answered.

"And the flying? Has he found the passion he once had for that?"

Ricky sighed. " I think he is still searching for that. When Jake and
Nathan come to visit, Jose and Jake always spend some time in the small
plane, and even the helicopter."

"Ah, Jake has been a big help to him in that. Has he been behaving himself
in other ways?"

Ricky blushed slightly. He would not feel comfortable discussing the
subject with anybody but Ben. "Si, he and I discussed everything and we
agreed that any sexual contact between us, with or without Nathan and Jose,
would not be wise. When they come to visit, they stay in our house, even
swim nude with us, but when it is time to go to bed, Jose and I retire to
our room and they go to theirs."

Ben put his arm around Ricky's shoulder and drew him into a hug. "I only
ask because I love you, and hate to see unpleasantness creep into our
lives."

"I know that, Ben." Ricky gave him a quick kiss on his lips. "I love you,
too.  Thank you for being my understanding friend."

"It is an honor, amigo." Ben assured him.

They heard footsteps approaching and, presently, the door swung open. The
immense, rotund shape of Carla's belly preceded her into the small waiting
room. She was due to deliver twins in the next few days.

Although her condition caused her to waddle, Carla was, if possible, more
beautiful that ever. Her shiny black hair was pulled back from her face and
cascaded down her back. She had just the slightest plumpness in her rosy
cheeks and she was smiling broadly.

Wearing a simple, apple-green cotton shift, she positively glowed with
health and vitality. Her doctor-husband was taking very good care of
her. She and Miguel married soon after his graduation from medical school
and started their family almost immediately. She had never been happier in
her life, and it showed.

Ben and Ricky stood up as she entered. She possessed the same presence as
her late mother, La Dona, had. Men just instinctively rose to their feet at
her appearance.  Charming and friendly in manner, she, nevertheless,
commanded respect from friends and business associates alike.

Ricky motioned her toward the couch, but she opted, instead, for a wing
chair, citing the fact that it would be easier for her to get into and out
of.  Ricky and Jose helped her to sit down, and she managed to do so with
style and grace, despite her advanced pregnancy.

Carla turned her attention to Ben. "Come and give me a hug."

Ben knelt and put his arms around the beautiful Latina, careful not to put
undo pressure on her swollen abdomen.

"How are you holding up, Don Bentonio?"

Ben laughed at the nickname, which Carla had used for him ever since a
masquerade party they had attended many years before in Mazatlan.

"I was very worried, but El Senior Dios and I had a long talk, and he
assured me that Berto would be okay."

"Si, mi esposo will see to that. Miguel loves Berto as much as we all
do. He is in good hands, Ben, so do not be concerned. You will have Berto
back in your bed and you may pamper and fawn over him until he insists that
he cannot stand it any longer."

"And you?" Ben asked. "How is the little mother holding up?" He nodded his
head and placed a soft kiss on her belly.

"I am tired. They held a wrestling match all night long. I think they are
as anxious to be out of there as I am. Otherwise I am doing quite well. My
obstetrician tells me things could not be better. I must only be patient."

"As a father I can tell you to put it off as long as possible. They are
much easier to deal with in there. Once they come out, they are noisy and
smelly." Ben joked.

Carla pushed him away. "You are an awful man! How can a father say such a
thing?"

Ben landed on his ass on the floor in front of the couch. He was laughing
so hard he couldn't get up. Ricky and Jose were also laughing as they
helped him to his feet.  They all collapsed on the couch.

Carla looked at them coolly through narrowed eyes. She could not keep it up
for long and laughed along with them. "My poor ninos will not have a
suitable candidate for a godfather. I shall have to choose Berto." She
threatened.

The mention of Berto's name brought the mood into the room to a more
serious level. There were several silent moments, then Ben got up and began
to slowly pace.  They all settled down and began their long wait...


Thanks for your continued readership and for the many encouraging email
messages and e-cards. I appreciate and answer every one. To find other
stories I have posted on Nifty, click the "Authors" link and scroll down to
"Lyle Benton". There you will find a list of stories I have submitted to
Nifty. Comments are always welcome.  Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading!

Ben