CHAPTER TEN
You can do whatever you want for our wedding, I just ask that I don’t have to wear a suit and in the end, I get to be married to you. Oh, and the wedding night is just you and me.
~Text from Ben to Kimbra~
Kimbra
It’s been three weeks since our engagement, and I’ve almost got everything figured out for our wedding.
I don’t want something big and fancy, but fun and full of our family and friends.
I have agreed to let Bailey get a poofy dress, and I want to find a simple wedding dress.
The boys are just happy they don’t have to get super dressed up and can look like Ben with jeans and a button-up shirt.
Today, though, is about enjoying the warm sun and having fun.
Thankfully Doctor Hammond has mostly removed the stick that was up his ass and is a bit easier to work with.
Since he’s now got his patient load and eased our loads, I was able to take today off.
It’s Friday, and the kids have it off for some teacher in-service day.
I decided we were going to have a day just the four of us.
I want to check in with them and make sure they’re not overwhelmed by all the changes that have happened recently.
Ben has to work but is going to join us later for dinner.
We just finished lunch at the local sandwich shop that Madison owns.
The kids love going there because they get to order whatever they want on their sandwich and watch them make it.
I think Bentley adding egg salad to his turkey sandwich didn’t sound appetizing to me, but he ate it all.
I love going there because I don’t have to ask any more for a clean knife and board to be used.
They see us coming and automatically change them out and know to complete whatever we order with no tomatoes anywhere at all.
We ate there and are now headed to the local park where Bentley and Bailey can play on the playground, and right next to that are the batting cages so I can see Branson while he does what he loves to do.
As soon as I pull up to the park, all three of the kids pile out.
Bailey spins back toward me for a moment.
“Mommy, can you push me on the swings?” I nod.
“Yeah, I can. Go pick which swing you want.” She takes off at a run, and I walk because, let’s be honest, me and running don’t belong in the same sentence.
Ten minutes later, Bailey’s over the swing and climbing the structure with Bentley.
She may love all the girly things in life, but she’s never been afraid to get dirty and try to keep up with her brothers.
I go sit on the bench so I can watch all three.
It’s been a good while since we’ve been able to do this, and I love to sit and watch them play.
Branson would stay in the batting cages for hours if I let him.
Bentley will inevitably find a bug or a leaf or something that requires him to examine it and try to figure out what it is.
Bailey will make friends with whatever kids might show up, as she’s my little social butterfly.
We’ve been at the park for close to an hour when someone sits down on the far side of the bench I’m sitting on.
I look over to give a greeting to the person when I see who it is.
It’s the same creep who barged into my office and caused everything with Madison and her little one.
He gives me what could only be described as an evil grin, and it gives me chills.
I feel like something bad is about to happen, and I’ll be damned if he hurts my babies.
“What do you want? Why are you here?” He leans back against the back of the bench.
“Well, see, I still haven’t gotten what I came for all those months ago in your office.
I’m thinking that sorry excuse for a club you’ve aligned yourself with needs a stronger message.
I think that stronger message has to do with the three kids playing out there.
” Oh, hell to the fuck no. He’s not getting my babies.
There’s no scenario where I’m gonna let that happen.
“I don’t know what you want, but my kids won’t have anything to do with it.
You might want to rethink your options.” He leans forward slightly and reaches behind him.
I see the gun he pulls out and holds it next to him, facing me.
“Now, why in the hell do you think you’re calling the shots?
If I decide to take one or all of your kids, you ain’t going to do shit. ”
Ohhh. This man doesn’t get how far a mom will go to protect her babies.
I think I need to call his bluff and see if he’s as dumb as I’ve suspected from the things I’ve overheard some of the guys talk about.
“You do realize I’m not some dumb blonde?
That I’m a doctor? That I know how to get your DNA from the bench you’re touching right now and that I’ll have every cop in this state looking for you if you take my kids.
I’ll help the DA with all the evidence they need to put you away for life.
And people who hurt kids? They don’t tend to do that well in prison.
” I’m really hoping I sold that line of bullshit I just spewed at him.
He looks pissed off, but can’t seem to tell if I’m lying about the whole DNA bullshit.
What? You know you’d say whatever you had to if you were in my spot, too.
This isn’t the time for worrying about telling the truth.
I watch as it looks like he’s thinking about what I said.
That or he’s coming down from his last high, I’m not sure, and it could go either way.
He tilts his head and looks at me again.
“Well, lucky you, we have a need for a doctor at the moment. I’ve got some guys that need patching up.
So this is what you’re going to do. Unless you want me to grab one of your kids who would do sooo well on the market, you’re going to stand up, not say a word to them, and walk with me to the van we have waiting.
You’re going to come with me and fix up my brothers.
Then we’ll see what kind of bargaining chip you can be.
I’ve seen one of my former brothers has taken a shine to you, so you might be more useful than I thought.
” Damn it. How the hell do I get out of this or not leave my kids completely stranded?
I feel my phone in my far pocket, and it gives me an idea.
The asshole is looking back out at the playground, so I quickly slip my phone out of my pocket and slip it into the pile of the kids’ sweatshirts next to me.
“What you’re going to do is stand up and walk next to me over to the parking lot.
You try anything, and I won’t shoot you.
I’ll change my mind back and take a couple of your kids, and you won’t be able to stop me.
” He stands up, and I do the same. He gestures toward the parking lot, and I start walking with him quietly, trying to not get the kids' attention. Please let Branson or Bentley find my phone and get help. They’re both so smart. Please let them be okay.
Branson
I hit the last ball in this set, and I fouled it off. I must have been hitting balls for over an hour because my hands are yelling at me. I’m done for the day. Maybe we can get Mom to let us stop for ice cream on the way home.
I look over, and some guy is sitting with Mom.
He has a cut on, but definitely not one in Ben’s club.
Mom stands up and starts walking away with the man.
Something’s not right. She’s not getting Bent or Bailey’s attention and not calling me over.
I hurry out of the batting cages and start to move quickly toward Mom.
She looks over and sees me coming and shakes her head just slightly but looks over at the bench.
Something’s very wrong. I think she wants me to go look at the bench, but everything inside tells me to go help her.
She’s my mom, and I can’t let someone take her!
I hear Bailey laughing on the slide, and I know Mom’s doing this, so we aren’t hurt.
She always does stuff for us and to make sure we are happy.
I know she even tries to get Dad to listen to us.