Ben's Gift
By Ben
Chapter Four
Ben found his friends in the small waiting room. They were sipping coffee from large Styrofoam cups and talking quietly. When they saw him come into the room, Jose handed him a cup of his own and Ricky motioned for him to sit between them on the couch.
"You must not worry, Ben." Ricky reassured him. "Miguel is watching out for him, and the surgeon is the very finest. Berto will be just fine." Ben received a comforting hug from his handsome friend.
Jose took Ben's free hand into his own, wrapped his long slender fingers around it and held it firmly. He then leaned over and gave Ben a tender kiss on his neck. Under other circumstances, this might have turned Ben on. After all, Jose was an extremely attractive man and an excellent kisser, but sex was the furthest thing from his mind that morning.
Ricky's cell phone chirped softly and he answered it. Generally it was against hospital rules to use it inside the building, but this was a private waiting room and Ricky had paid a lot of money for them to use it. He was confident that nobody would object.
"Hola? Si, mi hermana. Si, uno momento," Ricky rand off. "It is Carla she is parking in front the hospital. She has asked that we meet her at the entrance and bring her to the waiting room."
Jose rose immediately. "I will go for her, Enrique. You stay here with Ben. May we bring you anything? Something to eat?"
Both Ben and Ricky declined the offer but thanked Jose for his generosity. They watched as Jose's tall slender form disappeared through the doorway. Ben glanced at Ricky's face as he watched Jose leave. After all the years that they had been together, the love and sexual attraction that Ricky felt for Jose was clearly evident in his expression.
"How is he doing, Ricky?" Ben asked.
"He is doing very well, Ben. It seems he has finally left the horror of the plane crash behind him." Ricky answered.
"And the flying? Has he found the passion he once had for that?"
Ricky sighed. " I think he is still searching for that. When Jake and Nathan come to visit, Jose and Jake always spend some time in the small plane, and even the helicopter."
"Ah, Jake has been a big help to him in that. Has he been behaving himself in other ways?"
Ricky blushed slightly. He would not feel comfortable discussing the subject with anybody but Ben. "Si, he and I discussed everything and we agreed that any sexual contact between us, with or without Nathan and Jose, would not be wise. When they come to visit, they stay in our house, even swim nude with us, but when it is time to go to bed, Jose and I retire to our room and they go to theirs."
Ben put his arm around Ricky's shoulder and drew him into a hug. "I only ask because I love you, and hate to see unpleasantness creep into our lives."
"I know that, Ben." Ricky gave him a quick kiss on his lips. "I love you, too. Thank you for being my understanding friend."
"It is an honor, amigo." Ben assured him.
They heard footsteps approaching and, presently, the door swung open. The immense, rotund shape of Carla's belly preceded her into the small waiting room. She was due to deliver twins in the next few days.
Although her condition caused her to waddle, Carla was, if possible, more beautiful that ever. Her shiny black hair was pulled back from her face and cascaded down her back. She had just the slightest plumpness in her rosy cheeks and she was smiling broadly.
Wearing a simple, apple-green cotton shift, she positively glowed with health and vitality. Her doctor-husband was taking very good care of her. She and Miguel married soon after his graduation from medical school and started their family almost immediately. She had never been happier in her life, and it showed.
Ben and Ricky stood up as she entered. She possessed the same presence as her late mother, La Dona, had. Men just instinctively rose to their feet at her appearance. Charming and friendly in manner, she, nevertheless, commanded respect from friends and business associates alike.
Ricky motioned her toward the couch, but she opted, instead, for a wing chair, citing the fact that it would be easier for her to get into and out of. Ricky and Jose helped her to sit down, and she managed to do so with style and grace, despite her advanced pregnancy.
Carla turned her attention to Ben. "Come and give me a hug."
Ben knelt and put his arms around the beautiful Latina, careful not to put undo pressure on her swollen abdomen.
"How are you holding up, Don Bentonio?"
Ben laughed at the nickname, which Carla had used for him ever since a masquerade party they had attended many years before in Mazatlan.
"I was very worried, but El Senior Dios and I had a long talk, and he assured me that Berto would be okay."
"Si, mi esposo will see to that. Miguel loves Berto as much as we all do. He is in good hands, Ben, so do not be concerned. You will have Berto back in your bed and you may pamper and fawn over him until he insists that he cannot stand it any longer."
"And you?" Ben asked. "How is the little mother holding up?" He nodded his head and placed a soft kiss on her belly.
"I am tired. They held a wrestling match all night long. I think they are as anxious to be out of there as I am. Otherwise I am doing quite well. My obstetrician tells me things could not be better. I must only be patient."
"As a father I can tell you to put it off as long as possible. They are much easier to deal with in there. Once they come out, they are noisy and smelly." Ben joked.
Carla pushed him away. "You are an awful man! How can a father say such a thing?"
Ben landed on his ass on the floor in front of the couch. He was laughing so hard he couldn't get up. Ricky and Jose were also laughing as they helped him to his feet. They all collapsed on the couch.
Carla looked at them coolly through narrowed eyes. She could not keep it up for long and laughed along with them. "My poor ninos will not have a suitable candidate for a godfather. I shall have to choose Berto." She threatened.
The mention of Berto's name brought the mood into the room to a more serious level. There were several silent moments, then Ben got up and began to slowly pace. They all settled down and began their long wait...
Thanks for your continued readership and for the many encouraging email messages and e-cards. I appreciate and answer every one. To find other stories I have posted on Nifty, click the "Authors" link and scroll down to "Lyle Benton". There you will find a list of stories I have submitted to Nifty. Comments are always welcome. Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com
Thanks for reading!
Ben