With or Without You - Pt 15

       As Daniel read over a paper he laughed, “Ooh, we get to meet Bob Parker..Barker.. Whatever, well we get to meet him tomorrow!” He tried to look excited.
       AnnaMaria rolled her eyes and forked another forkful of fried rice into her mouth.
       “Who’s that?” Lee said briefly looked up from the egg roll he was dissecting.
       Karl laughed, “You don’t know who that is Lee!!”
       Lee looked over at him and scowled, “I probably do, just refresh my memory..”
       “He’s that game show host, The Rice is..I mean The Price is Right..”
       Nichole giggle and did her imitation of the deep throated announcer, “And today on The Rice is Right..”
       It took Darren a few seconds to catch on what everyone was laughing at, “Oh I get it! The rice is right.. I get it!”
       Everyone looked over at him and laughed harder.
       Darren blushed and snapped at them, “Oh shut up! Give me that!” And he grabbed the paper away from Daniel.
       Daniel jumped then sulked, “You gave me a paper cut..” He mumbled as Darren looked to him.
       Lee stopped, “Ok, but still.. I’m drawing a blank.”
       “He was in that movie with Adam Sandler we watched a few weeks back, Happy Gilmore. The golfer?”
       “Oh yeah! The one where Gilmore goes bezerk on that clown. So Bob is that old, white haired guy?”

       Ben stepped out of the bathroom and looked around. Willow was behind him and peaked over his shoulder.
       Ben laughed as he got into her livingroom. “It was just the cat.”
       Willow stepped past Ben to the cat, “Ridalin! You scared the crap out of me!” She bent and picked up her cat lovingly.
       Ben laughed, “You named your cat Ridalin?!”
       She nodded grinning, “It was either Ridalin or Prozac. And since Ridy here is a hyper cat, I called her it.”
       “Let me see,” Ben asked as Willow handed him her cat. The black cat was so black it almost looked like it was tinted blue.
       The cat rubbed against his chest. It was then that Ben re-realized he still hadn’t any clothes on.
       As Willow cleaned up the cup Ridalin had knocked over, Ben sat and played with the cat.
       When Willow returned to her living room she smiled at Ben who was playing with her cat. “She seems to like you..” Willow said as she sat beside him on her couch.
       “I wonder why,” He said grinning. He leaned over to her again and kissed her.

       “Hey, we get to meet some chick who’s going to be in the Sci-Fi movie!” Darren blurted as he read over the sheet he had snatched from Daniel.
       “What Sci-Fi movie?” Daniel asked for the main reason of trying to sound polite.
       “Lost in Space.”
       “Isn’t that a tv show?”
       Darren rolled his eyes, “It was, yes. But they made a movie of it."

       Willow’s doorbell rang. Ben sprang up from the couch and rolled his eyes laughing. As he stood, he offered his hand to help Willow up off the couch.
       She fixed his towel around his waist and kissed him again.
       “Willow!” The person called from outside the door. “I’m going to be really mad if you stand me up again..”
       “It’s my sister!” Willow said as she heard the female voice. She looked back at Ben, “The bathroom, quick, get dressed!” She looked toward the door again, “Coming!” She called and went to go to the door. Willow stopped and kissed him again, “Hurry!”
       As Willow opened her door, two little girls rushed in and her younger sister trailed behind. Willow hugged Hanna, “Hi!”
       Hanna smiled and told the girls to get their shoes off, “Sorry I, we, couldn’t make it for Easter. But we were up with Brandon’s folks.”
       “No problem, it’s great to see you again.”
       One of the little girls looked up at Hanna, “Hanma, where’s the bathroom?”
       Hanna smiled, “Around the corner Lisa.”
       As the little girl went to dart around to the bathroom Willow stopped her, “No! Wait, you can’t go in there..”
       Hanna looked at her, “Why not?”
       “My, uh, friend's in there using the shower..”
       Hanna cocked an eye at her, “I don’t hear the water running Willow..”
       “Oh, yeah. He’s getting dressed then.”
       Hanna grinned, “He?”
       Willow looked down, “Yeah..”
       “Mom did mention someone, very briefly.” Hanna tried to hold back a laugh, “Your shirt sis..”
       She looked down and blushed as she seen she had redone her buttons up wrong. “I..uh..”
       Just then Ben emerged from the bathroom and was almost knocked down by the little girl who ran past him and slammed the door behind her.
       Hanna looked at Ben, “Hello.”
       Ben smiled and stood behind Willow, “Hello, nice to meet you..”
       “This is my younger sister, Hanna. And this is, um, Ben..”
       Hana shook the offered hand, “This here,” She said motioning toward the little girl who was clinging to her leg, “Is my daughter Lizy.”
       “And the other?” Ben asked, motioning to the bathroom.
       Hanna laughed, “No, I can just claim Liz here. The other girl is Lisa. It’s Elizabeth’s friend that I’m babysitting.”
       The little girl shyly peeked up at Ben. He bent down to her level and smiled, “Hi there Liz.”
       The little girl took a shy step toward him, “Hi..”
       He grinned, “How are you today?”
       “I ok..”
       “So how old are you?” Ben asked trying to balance himself.
       Liz held up 3 fingers, “Two..”
       Ben smiled and held up two of his own fingers, “You mean two?”
       The girl giggled, “Ya..” She looked at her fingers and pushed one down.
       Hanna pulled Willow away so she could talk quietly with her, “He’s pretty cute..” Hanna said observing he’s crouched figure. “Nice build..”
       Willow eyed her, “Yeah..”
       Hanna smiled, “I’m just saying! Looks like you’ve done a nice job..”
       Willow looked back to Ben who was sitting talking to Elizabeth.
       Ben looked up at the two, it wasn’t all apparent that the two were sisters. Hanna had straight, short, reddish auburn hair, while Willow had a spill of strawberry blond curls to her waist. He guessed he could say their facial features were some what the same, but that was really it. Ben was snapped from his train of thought as the little girl tugged at his shirt, “Juice?” She asked looking up at him.
       He smiled and nodded, “Ok.”
       Hanna spoke up, “Liz.. This isn’t his place either, he’s a guest too. Your supossed to bug your aunt!” She said laughing.
       Ben shook his head, “No, it’s ok. I don’t mind, she’s doll.” As Ben went to walk into Willow’s kitchen the girl tugged at his pants.
       “Up?”
       “Sure!” He picked the little girl up and carried her into the kitchen.
       “Hmm, he seems quite nice in deed,” Hanna murmured, “Not only is he appealing to the eyes, he seems to be a dandy with children...”
       “Oh shut up Hanna..” Willow said playfully pushing her sister away.

       Darren glanced around then settled his eyes on the large clock, "When is Ben getting back?"
       Daniel laughed and rolled his eyes, "Don't worry about it! He'll be here be tonight by the latest. And if all else does fail, I CAN take over his position for this one show.."
       Darren waved him off, "Well he just better be back on time."
       Daniel sat back with an irratated huff. 'He thinks I'm completely incompetent doesn't he!' He mumbled to himself.
       "Ooh, is he bringing Willow back with him?" Nichole asked looking over to the guys.
       Darren shrugged and cast Daniel a look, who in turn, shrugged himself. "I don't know. He is asking her to come. Totally up to her."
       "I hope she does come. It's great to have a female around!"
       Anna Maria looked over at Nichole and went to hit her, "Hey!! Hello there Nicy! Thank you!"
       Nichole laughed, "I'm sorry Anna! I do realize you're here. I just mean, well it's nice to talk to someone who isn't wrapped up in music.."
       "And you're saying that I am?"
       "No! I just mean, well yes. Occasionally that is all you talk about. Which, I really don't mind occasionally. But Willow is just cool and fun to talk to. Someone new. Plus, it's great to have more females on the tour!"
       Karl nodded, "It is isn't it.."
       Anna looked over at him and shoved him, "Give it up Karl!"

       As Ben handed the young girl a cup of Fruit Punch she smiled to him, "Tank you.. What's your name again?" The girl asked shifting her sitting position on Willow's counter top.
       Ben smiled, she was simply adorable, "Ben.."
       "Be..Ban?"
       He chuckled, "No, BEn."
       "Bean?"
       He laughed, "Ban is fine."
       "O's kay!" She took a drink of her juice and lifted her arms out to be picked up.
       "Come her." Ben said as he picked her into his arms.
       "Lord, Liz really seems to be taking a liking to you Ben.." Hanna commented as Ben walked in and sat the girl down with her friend. "Which, all in all, is suprising with how shy she is."
       Ben smiled, "She's so cute." He sat on the end of the couch and pulled Willow into his lap as Hanna sat across from them on a chair.
       "Soo.. How did you guys meet?" Hanna asked sitting back wanting to know everything about Ben.
       Willow looked back at Ben briefly, "Um, just kind of ran into each other and struk up a conversation. And it, uh, went from there I guess."
       As Hanna went to ask another question Elizabeth stepped in, "Can I have some more Ban?" She asked holding up her emptied cup, "And some for Lisa too."
       Ben went to stand when Willow grabbed it from him, "No, my house. I'll do it."
       As Willow left the room Hanna looked over to Ben, "How long have you two been going out?"
       Ben wasn't sure if he should tell her the actuall time they had spent together.
       Willow peaked out the little 'window' from the kitchen to the living room / diningroom. "Hey! Don't question him when I'm not there.."
       Hanna laughed, "Well I figure if I asked him I'd get a suitable answer. A few days mean a half month and a year means a few days and the guy really isn't all that interested."
       Both Ben and Willow cracked a smile at the mention of a few days.
       Hanna studied Ben again, "Have you guys ever gone out before? I mean, like within the last year?" When both shook their heads Hanna shook her head, "It's just that you look firmiluar.."
       Willow laughed and handed the two girls cups of juice. "You watch Savage Garden on KathyLee and Regis the other day?"
       Hanna groaned and rolled her eyes, "You're still on this little obsession of yours? I figured you'd give it up," She looked to Ben, "Poor you, having to deal with the 'music', if you can even call it that."
       The two laughed, "I can't really complain too much.." Was all Ben really said.
       "I don't know. I personally can't stand their music, and it doesn't really look like you would either. I mean, it's all so sappy and lovey dovey. Gag me! I mean, come on, I thought you had better tastes."
       Willow blew a raspberry at Hanna, "Oh shut up! They aren't that bad." Willow could feel Ben laughing to himself. "I'm sure you've watched somthing of theirs that they've done." Willow commented, trying to understand how else Ben would look firmiluar to her.
       "No siry.."
       "Oh!" Willow said pointing to the converters beside Hanna, "Want to turn the tv on, then press the play button?"
       Hanna nodded and picked up the converter, "Sure.." As she pressed the play button KathyLee and Regis appeared on the screen talking about Savage Garden. "Oh, please!"
       "No! Don't turn it off!"
       "Watching it over the weekend?" Ben asked grinning at her.
       She nodded sheepishly, "Yeah, needed something to do.." She looked at her sister again, "Just watch in for a few minutes Hanna.."
       After the third time Ben was shown on tv Hanna looked at Ben closer. She looked back to Willow, "You're kidding!"
       Willow laughed and shook her head, "Nope, that's him.."
       Hanna half laughed still kind of suprised, "Wow, I never would have guessed. No offence or anything. So how did you two meet?" Hanna was all of a sudden quite intregued by the whole thing.
       "After this show."
       "But it looks recent. When did you go?"
       "I, uh, went last, um, week.."
       "Last week!" Hanna burst out.
       Willow nodded, "Yeah, the 18th.."
       "And you guys are like together now? But, didn't you come home empty handed?"
       Willow laughed, "In a sence I suppose you could say that.."
       Hanna sat and pondered it all. She looked back at the tv screen and watched Ben do his guitar solo, "Pretty.. I don't know, I guess I never expected you to go out on such a whim."
       "It's not really that much of a whim Han.."
       "Ok, but wouldn't you live in Australia Ben?"
       Ben nodded, "Yep."
       "How is this going to work? You have tour dates to do. And you have classes to be at.. He lives across the ocean..farther.."
       "We, uh, know and realize that Hanna.."
       "I'm sorry, I don't mean to put such a damper on things.. It's just that I'm supposed to be the wild child out on whims. I'm the irrasponsible one who goes out and gets knocked up too young and has her parents threated to kick you out.."
       "Hanna, you were 16 when you came home with the news of the pregnancy. It's almost understandable why mom and dad got so upset."
       "Yeah, they swore he would leave me as soon as I put on the weight. Which, may I add, have done a fabulous job of working off. But, Brandon's still with me 2-3 years down the line."
       "Speaking of Brandon, where is he?"
       Hanna's tone softened, "He's still up home with his mother. She's sick and it's inevitable what's going to happen. He wants to stay there and try to patch up a few things. I wanted to stay with him, but he suggested Liz and I go home, saying it would be better for us."
       "Oh, the poor guy.."

       Willow's sister had left an hour or so later. Willow stood in the middle of her livingroom. She scanned the room.
       Ben walked back into her apartment after lugging her suitcases and his own stuff down to the awaiting taxi.
       "Ready?" He questioned as he held out his hand.
       Willow nodded after giving her apartment one last look, "Yeah.." She took his hand and walked to the awaiting taxi that would be driving them to the airport.

...Chapter 16...




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