Together Forever

Chapter 8: Breakfast At Benny's

The drive back home was short and pleasant. Frida talked home all the way, which was unusual for her these days. She asked him more in-depth questions about his family (some of which Ludvig answered for him, much to Benny's annoyance) and also about her family. Frida had spent some time getting to know her paternal relatives who were apparently lovely, but she still found it very strange. Benny wasn't surprised, after all she thought she was an orphan up until a few years ago!

As they pulled up into the drive, he couldn't help but stare at her. For all Frida's crazy haircuts and new dress sense, she really hadn't changed a bit. Same smile that could light up the darkest of rooms, same freckles, same humour... the list could go on and on. Still the same Anni-Frid. Always and forever. Frida could sense his stares and twitched nervously, trying to focus on her conversation with Ludvig, but failing miserably. Oh, if only this man knew what he was doing to her..... But she was in love with Ruzzo and he  loved Mona so it could never be. Silly thought really; just a stupid notion....

"Right, off we go!" Frida whisked the youngest Andersson up into her arms, about to charge into his house before she realised Benny had locked the door, where she decided to wait. Benny smirked at her playfully, she'd always been an impatient woman, but he loved that about her. She leant against the red-brick wall, Ludvig tucked securely in his arms as she stroked his back. Somehow that boy had fallen asleep again, and his father didn't understand how!

"Finally!" Frida breathed quietly as she stormed inside, not looking back at Benny once. He followed her as she made to go upstairs, twirling her waist in his hands as their eyes met. Frida's lips were so close to his, so very close. He inhaled her scent like it was the only thing keeping him alive. Forgot the alcohol, Frida was his addiction. The easiest thing to get addicted to and the hardest thing to live without. "Yes, Mr. Andersson?" She asked tantalisingly, a cheeky smile gracing those oh-so-wonderful lips of hers. Benny dared go closer, running his hands again and again through her gorgeous hair. "Sit down." He commanded, sounding slightly more forceful than he had expected. Benny clearly seemed a little surprised by his own boldness, for she chuckled, biting her lower lip softly and looking him straight in the eye, making him go crazy. "With pleasure, Benny boy!" She blew him a kiss as she sat back down at the table, placing Ludvig carefully in the seat next to her.

Benny cleared his throat and strode over to the oven. He then got the ingredients out while placing the pan on the stove. All of a sudden, he heard a little squeak from behind him, and turned around to see his son clamouring to 'help daddy mash the banana!' Which made Frida snort, so Ludvig gave her a strange look. "It's just I wanted to help your daddy mash the banana too, baby." She pouted, watching with delight as Benny turned the deepest and brightest red known to humankind. "Well, we can both do it together then!" Ludvig clapped excitedly, completely oblivious to the sexual tension between the father and the ex-wife.

Benny quickly bought out a bowl, spoon and 4-5 bananas and off they went! The little boy got a little too enthusiastic and almost smashed Frida's hand so he suggested that he take a little break while Benny and the blonde finished off the work. Ludvig was not keen on this suggestion as all - and was very vocal about it - but Frida managed to calm him down before things got too heated. What an angel she was.

"Thanks for helping me, Frid." Benny smiled warmly at her, watching as Frida gently worked in the pulverised banana with the crepe mixture. She continued to do so, but he saw she was trying to fight the urge to smile, it was so cute. "No problem at all Benny! You know dealing with children isn't a issue for me." She looked up at him, he was watching her with great interest, eyes scanning her body. Pulled out of her illusion she grabbed a tea towel and whacked his butt. "Come on Andersson, work with me here!" Frida raised her voice. Benny smirked at her but decided to help even so. Hang on... wasn't he supposed to be making her breakfast, not the other way round?

Benny dragged her by the arm away from the stove, ignoring her mild protests and went to check on the pancakes, which smelled divine. "Mmmm, those smell heavenly, don't they, Ludvig?" The young boy nodded fiercely in agreement and watched in pure happiness as Frida got out 3 plates ready. "Get ready, Ludvig!" Benny beamed as he served his son the first pancake. Then he blushed in embarrassment because Benny had always been taught to serve guests first, as his mother thought was polite to do. Frida just scrunched up her nose and waved her hand in a relaxed manner, already knowing what his thoughts were. "Don't even worry about it!" Frida whispered sincerely, winking at him, which made the 4 year old giggle.

Once everyone had been served and had all toppings ready (Frida had chopped strawberries, apple, and extra banana as  ywell as preparing different types of berries and melting dark chocolate for a sauce. A real feast, lucky them!) Benny watched Frida take the first bite, a little on edge. 'Frida hasn't had my food in so long, what if she doesn't like it anymore? What if Ruzzo was better than him?' Benny thought, not wanting to know the answer.
"This is absolutely delicious Benny! You've somehow gotten even better since a last saw you, and I didn't think that was possible!" She gushed, making his heart glow. 'Take that, Ruzzo!' Benny thought cheerily. But he shouldn't be thinking like that, for Ruzzo was the man who made Frida happy now and he should set a good example to the kids, even if they weren't there and these were only his thoughts.

"Bennyyyy, are you alright? Benbo? Benny boy? Ben-Ben? BeeBee? GÖRAN BROR BENNY ANDERSSON!" He heard Frida shout, pulling Benny out of his conflicting thoughts. "Uh, yes Frida?" He asked timidly. "Did you hear what I asked?" She chuckled softly, looking into his eyes as she swallowed a bite of pancake. "Not really, could you repeat it please?" He looked away from her gaze, turning scarlet. " Pappa, why are blushing?" Ludvig practically shouted, very confused and feeling out of the loop. Benny scowled at his son who went silent.

"I asked" Frida gave a pause before continuing, "Where did you get this recipe? It's really good and I'd like to make some for Ru- somebody..." she stopped halfway through but Benny knew she was going to say the name Ruzzo, which felt like a bullet to the heart, though he didn't quite understand why. "It's a family recipe, my Mormor's." He replied shortly, unable to look at her. He decided to get started cleaning the oven and began scrubbing it aggressively. He suddenly felt a soft, warm, delicate hand on his shoulders and whipped round, almost knocking poor Frida off her feet. "Sorry Frida!" He looked over her as she was supported in his arms. "It-It's fine!" She stuttered, almost reaching out to stroke his hair but Frida decided against it. Too personal. She settled on a simple, "Are you okay?" And he gave her a sweet look, then forced a smile. Frida returned with another look that simply said 'We'll talk about this in greater detail when Ludvig is gone.' And Benny understood perfectly.

"Ohh, aren't you a messy little monster?!" Frida fake gasped as she watched Ludvig happily grin up at her, eyes shining. His entire mouth was covered in chocolate sauce, and Frida thought she even spied some behind his ears! "Come on darling, let's go wash your mucky face." Frida tenderly brushed the hair out of his eyes as the ran hand in hand up the stairs.

Benny watched in amusement when Frida bought out an old was rag and started the fight with Ludvig, who squirmed and kept attempting to dart away, only to be bought back to his captor by a loving father. "You're supposed to help me!" Ludvig whispered angrily as he was bought back for the 5th time, to a worn out looking Anni-Frid. "I don't think our kids were this bad, do you?" He wheezed, plonking his son back done on the toilet lid. Frida only chuckled and said, " Sorry to break it to you, but I think it's just because we're getting older Benny!"
"Like you can talk, you're the same as when you were 23!" He scowled in jealousy, but ruined the effect by chortling so loud it could cause an avalanche.
"Oh stop it you!" Frida blushed in giddy delight, feeling on top of the world.

Note:
Hello my darlings!
Ahh, guess who's back?!
Yep, you got it right!
Sweet, pining, sexually-tensioned BennyFrid!
In short, perfection.
I think I just wrote haiku-
I'm a mistress of words <3

K💋