Chapter 111 � Desperado
May 4, Ludlow, Kansas, Connie�s house
Connie: Tim, what�s wrong with you? You seem so angry.

Tim: Well, maybe because I am.

Connie: Why?

Tim: Will you believe that Meg and that jerk from California are getting married?

Connie: No kidding�

Tim: And do I look like I was kidding? Joan told me earlier today.

Connie: So, Ben and Meg are really getting married� I can�t believe it.

Tim: Yeah, and they have already set a date.

Connie: Wow!

Tim (angry): Wow?! I don�t think it�s �wow�! Meg was supposed to be my wife� And you know, it�s not too late for that.

Connie: What the hell are you talking about?

Tim: I�m gonna go and talk to Hank and convince him that Ben is not the right person for Meg.

Connie: And you think he�s gonna listen to you? After you cheated on his daughter?

Tim: He doesn�t know about it. Meg told only her mother.

Connie: Why?

Tim: Oh, she didn�t want to worry him� So, I�m gonna talk to him and convince him that he shouldn�t trust Ben.

Connie: This is not going to work out, Tim.

Tim: Maybe not. But at least I will make Hank doubt in Ben.

Connie: God Tim, get a life. (Yes � even Connie admitted that� - G.)

Tim: Oh I will, I will. As soon as I�m finished with this.

He miles and leaves. When he reaches Cummings� farm, he sees Joan outside.

Tim (thinks): Great. (he walks closer) Hi Joan. I came here to talk to Hank.

Joan: Sure, he�s inside.

Tim: Thanks. (Tim gets inside and sees hank in the kitchen) Hi, Mr. Cummings.

Hank: Tim? What brings you here?

Tim: I came here to talk about Meg.

Hank: About Meg? Why?

Tim: Well, I�m worried about her.

Hank: Worried?

Tim: Yeah� I mean, this whole Ben Evans is not good for her. He is a rich businessman and she is just a girl from Kansas.

Hank: And? (exactly � AND? � G.)

Tim: He is going to dump her.

Hank: Well, I�m sorry to disappoint you, but Ben and Meg have already set a date for the wedding.

Tim: That doesn�t mean anything. Meg and I had the date set too, but there was no wedding (Tim pauses) Ben is lying to her. Just like he lied to her the first time they met.

Hank: Tim, I understand that you�re upset about Meg breaking up with you�

Tim: Breaking up? She left me at the altar!

Hank: But that doesn�t give you a right to judge Ben.

Tim: And you are the one saying this? After everything he did to your daughter?

Joan (entering the room) After everything HE did? What about what YOU did?

Tim: And what did I do? (Gosh, does he always need an explanation? � G.)

Joan: How about sleeping with Meg�s maid of honor?

Hank (shocked): What?

Tim: Mr. Cummings�

Hank: You slept with Connie?

Joan: Yes, he did. And he dares to talk about Ben this way.

Hank: You damn�

Tim: Mr. Cummings�

Hank: Tim, are you leaving or do you need me to throw you out?!

Tim: Please, just let me explain�

Joan: What? Why you slept with Connie?! I don�t think there is anything to explain!

Hank: I agree. So why don�t you do yourself a favor and leave?

Tim: All right, all right. (Tim heads towards the door) But you�ll see � I�m right about Ben. He�ll hurt Meg again more than anyone has ever hurt her.

Hank: YOU will be the one getting hurt if you don�t get out of here right now!

Joan looks at him icily and Tim leaves.

Joan: God, I can�t believe it� He really has guts�

Hank: Why didn�t you tell me that Tim had slept with Connie? Why didn�t Meg tell me?

Joan: She didn�t want to worry you.

Hank: Worry me� God, and I actually felt sorry for Tim after Meg broke up with him. I thought that he was this good guy from Kansas.

Joan: Well, I guess he�s not. I can�t believe that he actually came here and preach how we should treat Ben.

Hank: Looks like he has absolutely no dignity.

Joan: Sometimes I wonder if he knows what it means. (He doesn�t � G.)

Chapter 112 � The Visit
May 8, Sunset Beach, California, The prison
Maria enters the visiting room and sees Derek waiting for her.

Derek: What a surprise! Finally my beloved partner decided to visit me. Welcome darling.

Maria: Derek, don�t�

Derek: Why don't you tell me what�s going on in the big world... I mean outside the prison.

Maria (angry): Ben and that bitch Meg are getting married.

Derek: You�re kidding?

Maria: No, I�m not. They have even set a date.

Derek (smiles): Wow, brother dear doesn�t waste his time.

Maria (rebukes him): That is not funny!

Derek: I know.

Maria: You know, I can�t believe that our plan crushed because of that little bitch.

Derek: Yeah, if she hadn�t found Ben in that warehouse, we would have everything we deserve right now.

Maria: Damn it, I can�t believe that we won�t get Ben�s money.

Derek: It�s driving me crazy that I�m just sitting here and I can�t do anything.

Maria: Well, maybe you can�t but I sure can.

Derek: What do you mean?

Maria: Maybe you will spend some time here, but I will be damned if I let Ben and Meg have a shred of happiness.

Meg: Ben, I can�t believe that there are only two weeks left.

Ben (sighs): Yeah, two long weeks before I can start calling you Mrs. Evans.

Meg: I can�t wait to start our life together. And I can�t wait to meet our baby. I know that we are gonna be very happy. All three of us.

Ben: Of course we will be happy (smiles) I promise.

Meg (hesitantly): There is just one thing�

Ben: What sweetheart?

Meg: About the honeymoon�

Ben: You mean Venice?

Meg: Yeah� Look, I know that we wanted to spend a few weeks there, but since I�m gonna be six months pregnant�

Ben (guessing perfectly): You don�t think it�s a good idea if we go there right after the wedding?

Meg: Ben, I know that you�re very anxious to see Venice� And believe me I am too� But I don�t think I will be much of a company� And I�

Ben: Hey, hey, I understand. And I agree� We have so many things to do in Venice � all the sightseeing, a gondola ride� I wouldn�t let you overstrain yourself in your condition� (smiles) But that doesn�t mean that I�m gonna give up on our honeymoon.

Meg: What are you suggesting?

Ben: I suggest going on our honeymoon some time after the baby�s arrival�

Meg: But it�s going to take a few months before we are able to leave the baby�

Ben: Then we will wait a few months.

Meg: Are you really willing to do that?

Ben: Of course I am� Look, it doesn�t matter when we�re going to see Venice. The only thing that matters is that we�re going to do it together.

Meg (wiping a few tears from her cheeks): I love you.

Ben: I�m sorry� (Meg looks at him surprised) I made you cry, I didn�t mean to�

Meg: Don�t worry, it�s OK.

Ben: Are you sure?

Meg: Yes of course. I�m just so excited about the wedding� And the pregnancy makes me more emotional� You should get used to it.

Ben: Don�t worry, I will. I just wish I could have you with me all the time.

Meg: Ben, I told you�

Ben: I know, I know, you want to wait until the wedding before you move in with me.

Meg: Ben, it�s just a few more weeks.

Ben: Still it�s too long for me (Ben pauses and smiles) But it will be worth waiting, I know it.

Meg: I can�t wait to spend my first night in your house� (pauses) I mean as husband and wife. I have waited so long. I can�t believe that this is really happening. You know, all the things that I do for the wedding � the invitations, the dress�It all seems as if it was just a wonderful dream.

Ben: But it�s not a dream. It�s reality.

Meg: I�ve never thought that the reality could be so wonderful.

Ben: Me either� But that was before I met you. Now I know that our life together is a wonderful gift from heaven. And I thank God every day for it.

Meg (through tears again): Have I told you lately that I love you?

Ben (smiles): I think so� But you can tell me anytime.

Meg: Then I love you. I love you very, very much.

Ben: I love you too.

He smiles and places a gentle kiss on her lips.

Chapter 113 � The Invasion
May 18, Sunset Beach, California, Surf � Central
Meg (thinks): It�s just one more week. One more week and I�m gonna be Mrs. Evans�

Meg hears a knock on the door.

Meg: Who is it?

Casey: It�s me Casey.

Meg: Come on in.

Casey (opening the door): Actually it would be better if YOU came out.

Meg (surprised): Why?

Casey: Because I have a big surprise for you.

Meg: A surprise? What surprise?

Casey: Come and see it.

Casey smiles mysteriously and Meg follows him. They go downstairs.

Meg (shocked): Oh my God!!! (screams happily) Mom! Dad! (she runs to them and gives them a hug) It�s good to see you.

Joan: You too sweetheart.

Meg (turning to her friends): Hey guys.

She hugs Ashley, Jessica, Matt and Ryan.

Ashley: Hi Meg. We missed you so much.

Meg: I missed you too� But what are you doing here? Why didn�t you tell me that you were coming?

Hank: We wanted to surprise you.

Meg: Well you did. But how� Who picked you up from the airport?

Joan: Your friend Casey.

Meg (surprised): Casey? (she turns to him) You knew?

Casey: Well�

Meg: And you didn�t tell me?

Casey: Come on, Meg, this was supposed to be a surprise.

Meg: All right, all right. (she turns to Ashley, Jessica, Matt and Ryan) Listen guys, you �re gonna be staying here� Casey, can you please show them their rooms?

Casey: Sure.

Meg: Thanks. I�ll walk mom and dad to Ben�s place. We�ll come back as soon as we can. (she turns to her friends): Will you guys be OK?

Ashley: Sure, we�ll be fine.

Meg: OK, see you later then.

Ashley: Sure, bye.

Meg (turning to her parents): Come on, I�ll show you where you will be staying.

Meg, Joan, Hank leave Surf � Central and start walking along the beach.

Joan (looking around): Wow, there is no wonder you fell in love with this place. It�s beautiful.

Meg: It�s really amazing, mom. You�ll know it really soon.

Joan (smiles): I already know it.

They continue walking in silence and soon they reach Ben�s house. Meg rings the doorbell. Ben opens the door and is surprised to see Joan and Hank.

Meg (seeing the expression on Ben�s face): Ben, I�m so sorry� I didn�t know myself� They wanted to surprise me...

Joan: If we cause any trouble, we can always stay at the motel.

Ben: No, no, you did not cause any trouble. I just wasn�t expecting you, that�s all. And there is no way you�re gonna sleep in the motel, I wouldn�t let you. Come in.

Ben lets three of them inside. He takes their luggage.

Ben: I�ll take it to your room. Meg, why don�t you give your parents something to drink?

Meg: OK. (turns to her parents) So, what do you want?

Joan: Juice would be fine.

Hank: Absolutely.

Meg: Please, sit down.

Joan and Hank sit on the coach and Meg goes to the kitchen. She is back a while later with two drinks.

Meg (placing the drinks on the table): Here you go.

Joan (looking around the room): Wow, this house is really beautiful.

Meg: Yes it is.

Hank: To think that soon you�re gonna be living here.

Meg (with affection): Yeah, soon. I can�t wait to marry Ben.

Ben (going down the stairs): Did I hear my name?

Meg: I was just telling my parents how I can�t wait to become your wife.

Ben (smiles): Then welcome to the club. I can�t wait for you to become Mrs. Evans either.

Meg is sitting in the living room, counting hours left till her wedding when she hears the doorbell.

Meg (shouts): I�m coming! (she opens the door) Sara!!!

Sara (smiles): Hi sis.

Meg: Oh my God, Sara, it�s so good to see you. (Meg gives her a hug) It�s been five months.

Sara: Yeah. God, look at you. You are so�

Meg (laughing): Fat?

Sara: That�s not what I meant.

Meg: Come on Sara� But I don�t blame you. I mean, I�m six months pregnant. It would be weird if I wasn�t going a little bit fat.

Sara (smiles): I guess.

They share another hug and Meg leads Sara inside.

Meg: But please don�t tell me that you were in conspiracy with Casey.

Sara (surprised): Who is Casey?

Meg: You don�t know� Then it was Mark, right?

Sara: Mark? No, Meg, I haven�t spoken to any of your friends� Dad picked me up from the airport.

Meg: Dad, huh?

Sara: Yeah, we wanted to�

Meg (smiling): I know, I know � SURPRISE ME.

Sara laughs and they hear two voices coming from the kitchen.

Casey: Gosh, it�s so good to be home.

Michael: Yeah, it�s been a long day.

Meg: Did you have a hard day at the beach?

Casey: Yeah, this place is going more and more crazy.

Meg (pointing Sara): Casey, Michael, this is my sister Sara Cummings. (she turns to Sara) Sara, these are my friends and roommates Casey and Michel.

She points them.

Casey: It�s nice to meet you Sara.

Michael: Welcome to Sunset Beach. And to Surf � Central

Sara: Thank you. It�s nice to meet you too.

Meg (turns to Casey and Michael): Guys, the dinner is in the fridge. Oh, and Rae called to say that she would be a little late today.

Casey: All right, thanks.

Casey and Michael disappear back in the kitchen. Meg turns to Sara.

Meg: Rae is our roommate, I told you about her.

Sara: She�s a doctor, right?

Meg: Yeah, you�ll meet her later. Oh, and Ashley, Jessica and the boys are at the Deep. I was supposed to join them� unless you want me to stay with you� Cause I�m assuming that you�re tired.

Sara: I am a little tired, but I could use a night out.

Meg: OK, then let�s go.

Ashley (noticing Meg and Sara): Look who�s here.

Jessica: Sara, it�s so good to see you.

Sara: Hey guys.

Sara shares hugs with everyone.

Matt: This place is great.

Ryan: It�s so different from Buckaroo.

Meg (smiling): No kidding� But seriously, I love it here. That�s where I used to work before I got that job at the Liberty Corporation.

Ashley: And to think that Ben is the owner of this.

Ryan: Yeah, and that Internet Caf� We went there today, it�s great.

Jessica: Maybe because it was the first Internet Caf� you�d been to.

Ryan: No, I have been in one in Kansas City.

Jessica: Sorry, I forgot that you are a man of the world.

Jessica sends Ryan a funny look and all of them burst into laughter.

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