Will You Love Me?

Chapter 51

Ben was in full panic mode when he got the kids home. He reunited Em and Watson, then got her and Nate settled with some snacks, checked in with his parents because they had Conner tonight, all before going into the bedroom and locking himself in. He still couldn't believe what he had just done.

He cheated on you.

No, he didn't go as far as sex and he doesn't think he would have, but he still cheated.

He paced the bedroom, running his fingers through his hair, his mind running with endless thoughts on if he should tell you, how she should tell you, and how you would react when and if you found out. He's already keeping a giant secret from you about Em. He doesn't know if he can bottle this one in, too.

He didn't realize how long he was there for, but when he heard the kids loudly greet you when you came in, he knew it had to have been a good hour. He quickly went into the ensuite and cleaned himself up. He's been crying and pulling at his hair, so he looked a mess. He also brushed his teeth incredibly well and made sure that ruby red lipstick was off his lips.

By the time he heard your footsteps coming up the stairs, he came out of the bathroom looking refreshed. Just as he came out, he saw you walking into the room with a wide smile on your face. The sight made him feel even more guilty.

"Hey!" You cheerily greeted. He smile weakly at you and said, "Hey. Good day on set?" You went up and placed a tender kiss on his lips. "Very good day," you told him as you pulled away. "This one has been kicking up a storm all day, though."

He chuckled and placed his hand over your stomach. After a moment, he felt a kick. He's always amazed at the feeling, even if he's felt it several times over the years. It was this kind of moment that made him realize how lucky he was, how much he loved his family. Just one kick made him realize that.

"Anyways," you said as you started walking away, "back to school night is in less than an hour, so if you can get the kids ready while I change, that would be awesome." Ben gulped. The rush of guilt came flooding back to him. He couldn't be in the same room as his wife and the woman he cheated on her with!

"Maybe we shouldn't go," he quickly told you. You turned to look at him with a quirked eyebrow. "Why?" You cautiously asked. He opened his mouth to come up with something, but it seemed like the actor side of him had shut down. He couldn't make up an excuse, he couldn't improvise. He couldn't lie.

So, he decided not to. "You've had a long day," he explained, "and with the due date going to be here in just a couple months, I think you should be getting as much rest as possible. Besides, Watson is going to go nuts when Em leaves again, so we should make him happy as well."

As he was rambling, you started walking over to him with an odd look. It was a look that said you didn't believe him. "You want to stay home," you slowly repeated, "because the dog will miss Em?"

He thought for a moment, then told you, "Well...yes. And because you need rest." You hummed, then patted his chest. "Not happening," you said. "This thing is informational and we need to know what are kids are learning and are going to learn and what-not. Speaking of which, how did the conference go?"

Ben tensed up. How was the meeting? Saucy, lustful, filled with endless guilt and regret. "Fine," he told you. You waited for him to say something else, but he didn't. "What was it about?" You asked. He cleared his throat and told you, with an even voice, about the meeting.

"That's ridiculous," you sighed. "They're kids, they're supposed to have fun!" He shrugged and said, "That's what I told her. I suppose we can speak with the twins and tell them to talk respect the rules a little more, but I really don't see this as a big issue."