Remember me

I know there's something going on

All eyes were fixed on Benny and Frida, unsure quite what to do. Neither spoke for a moment before Benny plucked up the courage, "Hello Frida." He said softly. Frida shifted so the her lower half was concealed by Görel, but by then it was too late. "Hi Benny." There was a fear in her eyes he'd never seen before.

"We'll take these guys home, mamma." Hans pointed to his siblings.
"But Hans sweetheart, you took my car." Frida reminded him.
"I could take you home!" Benny said quickly, feeling like the 3rd wheel of the group.
"Yes! Hans will take us home and you can go to dinner with Pappa to discuss some things." Helene emphasised.
"Helene, Peter, what are you doing here?" Benny glared suspiciously at them all.
"Frida will explain!" Peter whispered, following in his siblings wake. Frida turned to the support of Agnetha, but found she had already snuck away, with Bjorn and Görel in tow.

"Benny... Benny we need to talk." She breathed, not looking at him.
"Yes, we do." He said fiercer than intended. Frida winced at his words but carried on.
"Where do you want to go out for lunch to?" She asked.
"Uh, don't you want to choose?" Benny was mildly surprised.
"No, you go ahead!"
It's the least I could do really....

Benny led her down what seemed like thousands of busy streets and alleyways, until they reached a quiet garden restaurant. It was summer in Sweden so the weather was naturally hotter, meaning that there were a few people scattered here and there, but as it was so remote it gave Frida the peaceful atmosphere she'd need to deliver her news.

They were promptly sat at a table and she picked up the menu, but Benny just kept those piercing eyes of his firmly on her.
"What?" Frida felt awfully confused, her nerves were beginning to get to her, Should I really be doing this here?
"You know what." He laughed bitterly, but Frida detected a glimmer of hope in those eyes.
"Benny-"
"Is it mine Frida?" He looked at her with such despair.

No response.

Oh great.

"Was I that obvious?" There was no emotion in her voice, she fought it at all cost.
"So it's mine?" His voice was increasing.
"I didn't say that!" This wasn't how she wanted this to go.
"Is it or isn't it?!" Benny spoke with such pain in his voice, like everything had no meaning anymore.
"Fine! I've admitted it now, it's yours! It's a child born out of infidelity, but I feel scummier than I'm sure Mona does, because I knew! I let you play me once more. I knew you were a player (which she didn't) and I still let you lead me on, because I- I stupidly thought that you might actually care for once in your god damn life!" Frida broke, trying to hide that tears that sprung up in her eyes. She felt weak. She would not be weak in front of this man again. "And it's not 'It' it's a fucking baby Benny!" She finished, trying her best to dry her salty tears with the edge of her dress.

"Frida, look at me." He desperately tried to create eye contact.
"Listen, if you want a paternity test I completely understand, but I can assure you I wouldn't  lie about this. If I had any doubts about the father of my child I would raise him on my own." Frida sniffed.
"Him?" Benny picked up on her language.
"Yes, him." She said, sounding slightly dreamy.
"Are you pleased?" He smiled as she met his eyes.
"Pleased is the wrong word, but I'm feeling joyous." She concluded.
"Feeling joyous? God Frida, sometimes you seem like a walking dictionary!" He chucked softly, and Frida felt herself smiling, even though she would deny it.

"Should I take that as a compliment?" She raised her eyebrows.
Benny jumped and immediately began, "Of course, you're intelligence was one of the first things that attracted me to you, along with your beauty and fabulous voice." He blushed as he realised what he'd said.
"You've always been a smooth-talker, haven't you Andersson?" Frida grinned despite the somewhat tense situation.
In response he simply winked.