Chapter 120
“Where are we going tomorrow Jack asked.
“The zoo,” Amy answered with a roll of her eyes.
“We can’t all be great at remembering stuff,” he replied, making the rest of them roll their eyes at him.
“It’s on the family schedule on the fridge… Oh wait, that’s right, you don’t look at that because then you would need to do your homework, Beth was quick to point out.
“You’re just jealous that I can do it in five minutes flat and still pass Jack boasted.
“That’s not always going to work, and you will no longer be doing the work moments before it’s due to be turned in; do you understand me?” Pandora asked him,
“But, is it more important to get it done right or promptly?” he asked, making Benjamin stifle the chuckle that was starting to bubble up, knowing he just stepped into it.
“No, mister smarty pants, and you’d be wise to use those smarts to mind what you argue. Getting your work done promptly and done correctly are both important and if you keep doing it at the last minute, you’re going to make me go bat poo–poo crazy,” Pandora told him and gave him a scary smile.
Benjamin turned, looking at her, and mouthed the word ‘poo‘ at her, making her blush. He knew she–well all the adults—. trying to tone down the swear words, even the little ones like ‘shit.
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The next morning, Pandora and Benjamin were up early to make their picnic lunch. After they had finished, they made breakfast and had some time, before they got the kids up. They spend the next two weeks doing fun family things and taking in many different events.
Last weekend, they had everyone over from the family for a big get–together. Now. He only had this weekend and Monday off before he needed to go back to work. Tonight, they were meeting their family for a meal, and then Benjamin’s parents were taking the girls, and Walter and Nina were taking the boys until Sunday night.
They arrived at the restaurant and the hostess walked them to a very large table.
“Emily,” Pandora greeted, hugging her. “We need to get together and have coffee. I feel like it’s been ages since we last talked.
“It’s been six weeks,” Emily reminded them with a light laugh.
“How is this one doing?” Pandora asked touching Emily’s still unnoticeable baby bump.
“According to the doctor, all is good, and since I’m now into my second trimester, I can tell my family. So do me a favor, hush, and act surprised when my mom calls you.”
“Remind me again why he can’t be our doctor?” Taylor asked Emily, pointing at Benjamin.
“It could be considered a conflict of interest,” Amy mumbled, not taking her eyes off the book she had been reading since she sat down.
“No listening to the adult talk, Benjamin reminded her, making Beth just look at him.
“Don’t even say it, Pandora cut her off immediately, knowing she was about to hit them with a smart–ass answer.
Have we missed something?” Peter asked as he and Lana joined the able.
1/2
“Nope, Benjamin replied and he gave a grin as he looked at Beth.
“There’s my girl, she’s going to be the President one of these days,” Peter commented
“Don’t give her ideas,” Benjamin pushed back his chuckle.
Just as his father and he started to talk, the rest of the family arrived. Once everyone was there, they situated the kids at the table beside theirs, and they all took their seats at the table set for the adults. Thankfully, the children all got along pretty well and behaved, so that they could sit together.
As dinner was served, he looked around feeling happy. Never in his dreams could he have imagined being this happy. He knew that they still had many challenges to work through, but he believed they would get there. All he had to do was remember the words his father said to him the night Jack was sick and rushed to the hospital
[“Son, being a doctor is one of the most important jobs you can do, but your family must always come first. Your family is your backbone, and your foundation. With the right family, a good doctor can become a great doctor.”
“I know,” Benjamin said to him.
“Do you? She’s just had two babies, Benjamin, you better than most new fathers should know how long it takes to recover. Not to mention how long it takes a new mother to get back to feeling like herself. And then add what this Derrik guy has done to her.”
Benjamin dropped his head knowing his father was right.
“I told you last year that you were pulling too many hours, and you didn’t listen, but you will this time. Be there for her and the boys, because you may wake up and not know them or have them if you don’t. As for the nurses, you should have made it cle no matter what, Pandora’s calls always get put through to you. If they didn’t, then they would no longer be on staff.”
“Pandora is like your mother; she wouldn’t call unless it is important. People only walk over your family if took a long breath and placed his hand on Benjamin’s shoulder.
that
allow them to.” He
that’s needed to make a
“I had planned to tell you all of this when you came to tell me you were getting married. Love is not all marriage work. You need trust, communication, understanding, and forgiveness. Build these qualities by talking and never keeping things from the person you want to spend your life with. Give them all of you, and accept all of them.”
“Help each other in building the person you each need to be for each other.because they will always be there for you. Ask for forgiveness when you need it, and give forgiveness when it is called for. Most of all, be there when they need you, but more importantly, be there just because you love them and want to be with them, not because they may need you. One last note: give Pandora your pager number so that she can page you herself.“]
Benjamin knew with those words in mind, that both Pandora and he were always building their relationship. Sure, they fought and made mistakes, but that was just another reason they loved each other.
