Together Forever

Chapter 18: Split Apart

"Benny, is that you?" He heard his name being whispered into the darkness. He may or may not have jumped out of his skin.
"Yeah sweetie, I'm still knocking about." Mr Andersson chuckled, holding her hand.
"I thought you'd have left me." She whispered, nestling under the covers, not letting go.
"Of course not, you needed me."

"Well thank you. I don't think we'll be able to look after the kids for a few days, would you mind asking your parents to keep them for now?" Anni-Frid mumbled sleepily.
"Already thought of it, boss. You don't have to worry about a thing." Benny smiled.
"And call Ruzzo, I want him with me." Her bottom lip quivered.
"I'll try my best. You sure you'll be okay if I leave you for a few minutes?"
"Please!"

And so, Benny left, if a little reluctantly. He went to the nearest phone and dialled Ruzzo's number, begging him to pick up.
"Yes, Reuss residence?" Benny heard an older woman's voice.
"Um, I need to speak to Ruzzo?" He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"And what is the purpose of speaking to Mr Reuss?" She said harshly.
"It's about Frida-" And then the line was immediately switched. Huh, so that's how their household works!

"Yes, Benny?! What's wrong with Anni-Frid?" Benny heard a frantic voice on the other line.
"Frida needs you- Sh- She's in the hospital." He stuttered.
"What?! What happened? Is she alright?"
"Not really, it's complicated. I think she wants to tell you, so I'll just send you the hospital address." Benny then lowered his voice. "Will you be able to get here for tomorrow, or have you got a session of chemo?"
"I think I will, but I've got my girls with me for a couple of weeks. I'll ask their mother if she's okay with them leaving the country... if not, I'll find a way. No chemo scheduled for a while. Send her my love, and tell her I'm with her always."

Girls?

Oh right... he has kids.

"I will, and I'll stay with her in case anything happens." The man reassured.
"Thank you; we owe a lot to you, Benny Andersson." And with that, Ruzzo ended the call.

If only you knew I was lusting after your pregnant girlfriend...

Benny walked back into Frida's room, noticing that she was fast asleep. It wasn't a surprise, it was barely daybreak. After battling with himself for a few seconds, he briefly kissed her forehead, feeling guilty for the action. However Frida smiled in her sleep before turning to the other side. Sighing, Benny left to go find some breakfast.

What a mess his life had become in less than a week and a half.

Frida always had a tendency to turn his world upside down.

***********
Yesterday afternoon with the 3 musketeers:

"I thought we were meant to go home tonight." Verity frowned, looking to her grandmother for an explanation.
"Something's come up. Luddie will be staying over too, he'll be here soon." Laila tried to smile, well aware of her grandchildrens strong opinions of their youngest brother.

"Couldn't he have stayed with Mona's parents?" The blonde said bitterly.
"Don't be so heartless! Your father wanted you to stay all together."
"We are all together. The 3 of us; that's how it's always been, unless Mamma decides to have another child or two. We don't need him, he's not one of us." She replied firmly, narrowing her eyes.

"That's a vile thing to say and you should wash your mouth out with soap! Your father would be ashamed of you; and how would poor little Luddie react if he heard you saying those things, hm?" Verity saw her Farmor's shocked expression and felt the anger bubble in her chest.

"I HATE HIM- I WISH THAT BOY NEVER EXISTED! I'm taking my real brothers in to watch a film." Verity screamed, dragging Kasper away with her.
"Ow, your hurting my arm! What are we watching?" He complained as he was being directed into the living room.
"Grease." She replied sharply.