“Thanks, sweetie. I can always count on you not to act like a child,” Ben said with a leer. Josh rolled his eyes. This time Marg, Brooke, and finally Ben broke out into laughter as Josh left them while grumbling to himself. Brooke went after him.
“So, where were we?” Ben asked, turning to her with an enticing grin.
“I believe you were showing me just how much you miss me,” Marg replied, looking up from under her lashes at him.
“I was, wasn’t I?” he asked, scooping her into his arms once again. Marg nodded, moving her hands up to circle his neck. “I.” Kiss. “Really.” Kiss. “Really.” Kiss. “Miss.” Kiss. “You.” With each word, he peppered her face with light kisses, causing Marg to giggle and blush. The two remained in each other’s arms, welcoming the sensations of love and protection she felt being this close to him.
“Dad, Marg, the movie’s about to start. Come on,” Brooke said, breaking up their moment.
“Movie?” Marg asked, with raised brows.
“Yeah, we rented this really cool movie that we thought you’d like,” Brooke replied with a wide grin.
Marg couldn’t help the smile that plastered her lips. “What’s it called?”
“Stepmom,” Brooke replied instantly.
Marg’s smile dropped.
“It’s a nice movie. I promise,” Brooke quickly explained when she saw her expression.
Ben rubbed her back supportively.
“Okay,” she agreed, still hesitant.
“We gotta go now before Josh really switches to his PS5. He’s already cranky that we’re watching what he calls a ‘chick flick,’” Brooke said, making air quotes as she rolled her eyes.
Marg followed Ben and his daughter down the hall and into the family room. Josh was already seated in one of the leather recliner chairs. Or rather, he was slouching in it, with his legs thrown over one of the armrests, and his elbow rested on the next one as his palm supported his head.
“Oh, finally. Can we get this over with so I can get back to my game?” he asked with a tortured expression.
Brooke settled on the sectional's chaise, and Ben pulled Marg to sit beside him on the couch. Josh grabbed the remote and aimed it at the TV. When the movie started, Ben put his hand around Marg, pulling her into his side. Marg beamed happily as she inhaled his sandalwood aftershave and natural male musk. Josh moved to dim the lights as the movie’s intro played.
Marg had to admit they knew how to pick a movie. It hadn’t been a cringe film. Instead, she found herself smiling, clutching her chest in anxiety, and crying as the story unfolded. As she looked down at Ben’s kids, who were now sitting before them on the ground, she smiled. She appreciated their efforts to convey their acceptance of her. She knew they loved their mother, Sharon, and had a strong bond with her, but they were willing to make space to love and bond with her too. They were good kids, and she found that her love for them had grown even deeper. It also made her yearn to have a child of her own that much stronger. Unconsciously, her hand descended to her belly as she imagined herself married to Ben and pregnant.
“Are you okay?” Ben whispered.
Marg looked over at Ben. His eyes were already on her. She mustered a smile. “I’m fine. It’s just this movie has me all emotional.”
Ben leaned forward and kissed her. Marg smiled at him when their lips parted. “I love you,” she said softly.
“We love you too, Marg.”
Marg chuckled as she turned to see Josh’s smiling face looking up at her and his father. Brooke was smiling up at them as well.
“I love you both.” She smiled down at them.
“Aww, that was so nice. Group hug?”
Marg nodded. The two young adults rose to their feet, as did Marg and Ben, as they came together in an embrace.
* * *
“I was thinking that we haven’t had a date night in some time now. What do you say about us having one this weekend?”
Marg looked over at Ben. “I’d love that,” she beamed.
Ben squeezed her hand before returning it to the steering wheel and turning his attention back to the road. “So, how has it been having your mother at the house?”
