Malibu - Gen 3 Ch 7

I couldn't believe I was pregnant again. I worried about putting my career on hold yet again, and Benji was still spending the bulk of his time off pursuing fame and fortune. One think I knew, and that was that things had to change.

Telling Benji there was another baby on the way was the easy part. I cornered him the the shower one morning before he left for work.

He was suitably thrilled about the news. Now for the hard part.

"Benji, you know I love you, and I never really worried before about not being official and all that. But I don't want to have another baby out of wedlock. You remember how bad the media reacted when Robin was born. It was awful! I want to get married. Will you marry me?"

"Mali... I don't want to get married.." My face fell, and I could feel the tears starting.

But then he continued, " No, Mali.. oh, please don't cry. You didn't let me finish. What I meant was, I don't want to get married just because of the paparazzi, I want to marry you because I love you and want to spend the rest of my live with you. And I don't want to get married unless you feel the same way."

"Oh, I do feel the same way. I love you Benji."

"I love you too, Mali."

We celebrated our engagement in the best way.

After that, Benji was always home in the evenings. One night as we sat out in the yard enjoying the cool night air, he leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"You know what? Let's get married. Right here, right now."

"Are you sure?" That is what I had wanted from the beginning, but I thought he wanted a big party for all his celebrity friends.

"Never been surer."

So we said our vows only to each other...

... with only the stars as witnesses...

...and shared our first kiss as husband and wife.

From then on, Benji was a changed man. Robin was overjoyed to spend time with her daddy.

And I never got tired of him telling me how beautiful I was, even at the end of my pregnancy when I was as big as a house.

Finally the big day arrived, and he was just as big a baby about the whole thing as he was last time. I could hardly believe it when he put me in a cab, and said he'd be along in a little while, he had to take care of something first.

It was a fast delivery, and although I tried to wait for him, our little son arrived without his daddy there. Just as I was leaving the hospital, who should show up running in his workout clothes but my tardy husband.

He was all out of breath, and thrilled to have a son.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there, Mali.. you won't believe what happened..."

I was in no mood to listen to his excuses.

I walked right past him into the limo he had called, and refused to look at him all the way home.

He knew he was in the dog house - he mumbled something about being needed down at the station, and left for work as soon as we arrived home with little Bluejay.

When he arrived home that night, he was all smiles.

"Mali, I'm sooo sorry about the workout thing this morning. I don't know what came over me. I want to make it up to you. I was thinking, we should take a trip, just the two of us. When Bluejay is older, of course. What would you think about going to China?"

I just had to smile at that. I'd been wanting to go to China for just about forever, but things never seemed to work out. We talked all night about our plans. We'd go as soon as Bluejay was old enough. Rain had already agreed to watch the kids. I could hardly wait.

But first, it was Robin's birthday. I decided to have a big party for her, and even invited some of Benji's celebrity friends.

I definitely didn't invite that Blake Grayson, but she showed up anyway.

Robin grew up to look a lot like Benji, and all she could talk about the whole evening was getting a dog. I'm not sure where that obsession came from all of a sudden, but I told her if she was good for her Auntie Rain while we were in China, she could have one when we returned.

It turned out that Blake had showed up because she was a huge sports fan, and wanted my autograph. I gave it to her, along with a quiet warning to stay away from my husband.

The party was in full swing; Marina was having a blast dancing with Dennis Chesterfield, the rest of the guests were in the hot tub, and I ducked into the kitchen for a few seconds to take care of the cake plates.

Suddenly I stopped short as I heard voices in the front hallway. I froze, plates in hand, listening.

"Sooo, Benji," I heard Veronica's voice, low and sultry. "What's a handsome guy like you doin' later tonight?"

I didn't dare breathe, waiting for Benji's answer.

"Excuse me, Veronica? You do realize I'm a married man, don't you? I love my wife very much, and I think it's time for you to leave."

I sighed a huge sigh of relief, and clattered the dishes in the sink. My Benji has his faults, but I know he loves me.

Later that evening I had my own birthday. Getting a little older wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

And shortly thereafter, it was Jay's turn for a birthday.

"You be good for you Auntie Rain, little guy. We'll be back before you know it!"

Notes

Sorry it took so long for this update. My excuse is SWTOR beta. But it's over now, so I'm back to simming. A really weird thing happened when Bluejay was born. Benji autonomously started to take Mali to the hospital, but he dropped the action before he got in the car, and wandered off to work out while Mali had her baby. I thought it was pretty funny that she wouldn't look at him all the way home.

 And I was so proud of Benji for rejecting that flirt :)

Malibu - Gen 3 Ch 6

Finally it was the weekend again. Benji was still in a mood, but I was grateful when I heard him shuffle off to get Robin early Saturday morning, and let me catch a few more minutes of sleep.

Even though half asleep, I could hear her begging, "Walk, daddy! Oudside!"

"Okay, sweetie, let's go find your stroller," I heard him groan in reply. I thought I'd have a little time to enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee.

But within five minutes, back they came, Benji carrying Robin and pushing the empty stroller.

He plopped her down in her high chair with the strangest expression on his face. I debated saying something, and finally couldn't resist.

"So, uh.. how was your walk?"

He turned to me with such a sad look, that I immediately felt sorry for him.

"Aw, Benji, what's wrong?"

"I don't think Robin likes me. We only got a sort way down the street, and she wanted to come back to you."

I didn't want to say 'I told you so', but I had asked him,multiple times, to spend more time with her. Of course, now that he decided to, she wanted her mommy.

"Maybe you're right, Mali. Maybe I do need to start spending more time at home."

He really did look contrite.

Maybe now was my chance. I pulled him close and whispered in his ear.

"You know, it's such a pretty day. We could go to the park, just the three of us. And later, I know Rain will watch Robin so we can have some.. you know, alone time."

"Hmm, well.. that's sounds nice Mali, but you know I have an appointment at the gym today. My agent's sending a limo for a photo shoot. I just can't miss it. Sorry."

I wanted to give him a piece of my mind right then, but Robin hand finished her breakfast, and was screaming to get down.

By the time I got her settled on the floor with her toys, Benji was long gone in his stupid limo, to his stupid gym.

I was so upset, I asked Rain to watch Robin, while I took off for my favorite fishing spot. Soon the gentle slapping of the water, and the pine scented air had their desired effect. I didn't even mind when I noticed I'd gotten my good running shoes soaking wet.

I returned home late that afternoon refreshed, and ready to work on walking with Robin.

After dinner and a diaper change, I was giving her one last hug before putting her to bed, when I heard the front door slam. It was Benji.

He came bounding into the nursery, all pumped up about his workout in front of the cameras.

"It was great, Mali!," he exclaimed, flexing his bicep with a grin. "You shoulda been there! I think that was my best workout yet, the paparazzi were eating it up!"
Maybe I should have been nicer, but Robin was fussy, it was past her bedtime, and I was tired and desperately needed a shower.



"I 'shoulda been there'? For your information, I was teaching Robin to walk, feeding her, getting her ready for bed. You say you want to get along better with Robin, then start acting like a father! Stay home once in a while! Spend some time with her."

I saw the guilt start to spread across his face, but I couldn't stop - I read him the riot act until a small sound distracted me.

"Mommy? Sweepy, mommy."

"Okay, sweetie, let's go to bed."

By the time I got Robin settled into bed, Benji had already turned in as well. Tired as I was, I couldn't sleep. I sat and read, and watched Robin sleep long into the night.

The next morning we awoke together for the first time in a very long time. Benji was all contrite over his recent behavior, and at first I didn't know what to think.

"I'm so sorry, Mali. What you said last night - it really made me think. I promise, I'm turning over a new leaf, starting today. And Robin's still asleep. How about we start by spending some alone time together right now - just you and me.."

I swear, when he looks at me that way, I just melt. All his past transgressions just flew right out the window, and my heart was beating double time.

"I love you so much, Mali. I'm so so sorry for how I've been acting."

"Just shut up and kiss me, Benj."

Some hidden part of me probably knew that this just might not be such a good idea, but at the time, it was all I wanted.

I would like to say that things improved after that morning, but unfortunately that was not the case. The very next afternoon, Benji approached me with that look in his eye.

"Uh, Mali,..."

"Don't you try and flirt with me, Benj. I know you're up to something, Just spit it out."

"Um.. okay. I know I said I'd be home tonight, but I got offered this deal that I just can't pass up. Lars' Disco wants me and Seashell to liven up the place by putting on a dance exhibition. They're even going to pay us. There'll be photographers and everything."

"Fine. Just go."

I kept thinking this whole celebrity fascination was just a phase, but obviously it was not. He wanted to pursue celebrity just as much as I wanted to be a sports super star. I spent that afternoon working out. It was my last day of maternity leave and I could hardly wait to rejoin my team. It seemed like forever since the last time I was on the field.

I certainly hoped Benji was having a good time at the disco with Seashell...

...because I was having a less than stellar time at home. Robin was being obstinate about going to bed.

"No sweepy. Wanna watch teebee!"

"That's a grownup show Auntie Rain and Uncle Peri are watching. Come on, I'll read you a story."

"No stowwy! teebee!!" 

It didn't help that I felt like I was coming down with the flu. Just great - my first day back at work and here I was throwing up the night before.

"Hehehe! Teebee!"

"Come back here Robin! right... bhaugh... now..."

After much cajoling, I finally got her into bed - not asleep, mind you - but at least she wasn't fussing. I good thing too, because my stomach was doing a number on me again. I only hoped I could make it through my first day back at the stadium - somehow.

Notes

I couldn't believe, the very first thing Benji does when all his bad moodlets wear off, is an autonomous 'try for baby'. And after the way he'd been completely ignoring her for days, I couldn't believe Mali actually went for it.