Sing For Me

Teddy Bears and Picnics

It had turned out to be another sunny day Ben had suggested the idea of a picnic in the woods at Holland Park as it was so nice. He had turned to Riley and Ellie and asked "How would you like to go on a teddy bears picnic?"

"Really? Yeah" said Riley jumping up and down with excitement.

"Well that's settled then,but you need to find your best teddy bear to bring with you"

"OK, come on Ellie" says Riley leading Ellie off to hunt for the perfect bear.

"You too mummy go on" encourages Ben

"I don't have a teddy bear" I tell him. I certainly didn't have gifts like that from Matt he hated all that soppy kind of stuff. I didn't even have one from when I was little.

"Well we can't have that now can we" he says with a gentle smile. "You get yourself and the kids ready and ill come back to pick you up in an hour or so" he says grabbing his coat " I Just need to pop home and get a change of clothes"

"Well shall I get some food ready for the Picnic?" I ask him

"No I'll sort that out don't worry, now go and get ready" he says placing a kiss on my forehead before heading for the door. He winks at me as he leaves.

I get the children ready wrapping them up from the cold autumn air. I dress myself in my dark green woollen dress thick tights and brown boots wanting to make some sort of effort. Before I knew it Ben was back. We head down to car park popping the kids in his car heading off. "You look very pretty today Sweetheart" he says as we drive along placing his hand on my thigh to accompany the compliment

"Thanks" I say "You look pretty lovely yourself" I tell him, he smiles, but he does he's got dark blue jeans which are quite fitting showing off his thighs, and his pale blue shirt covered by a navy jumper just clings to him, I just want to be wrapped up in him, I never thought I'd feel like that about a man I certainly didn't with Matt that's for sure, but this whole love thing, Ben kind of makes me believe it, he makes things seem possible, he still loved me despite what had happened to me and was willing to be with me.

When I now think of the possibilities for us, those feelings I was having, needs, urges, the prospect of a real relationship and all it had to offer. How do I show him what I want.

We park up and I get the kids out. Ben pulls out a picnic basket from the boot and a carrier bag from Hamley's "Here you go sweetheart" and he hands it to me. "What's this" I ask, looking inside, it's a caramel coloured teddy bear with a tartan ribbon around it's neck with paws to match

"Every Girl needs a teddy bear" he says "You cuddle up to him when I'm not around" he says winking at me.

"You think of everything don't you" I point out.

"His name is Bunty" he informs me.

"It's nice to meet you Bunty" I say to the little bear. "He's lovely Ben, thank you"

"You're welcome sweetheart, besides you can't come to a teddy bears picnic without a teddy bear"

"So where is your teddy bear then?" I ask and he plucks one out of the inside of his coat. He's old and well loved in appearance, it's adorable.

"This is Humphrey" he declares "He's getting on a bit the poor fella, I've had him since I was little"

"Aww he's lovely" a little bit of his childhood I thought, I imagine a little Ben cuddling up to him.

"Mummy I'm hungry" Riley announces

"Come on then let's get this picnic out" says Ben. He's prepared a lovely spread, sandwiches, hot soup to keep us warm and a ridiculous supply for sugary cakes and sweets which the kids have their eyes on not that I'm saying I didn't. Riley and Ellie sat happily eating, sharing some with Henry and Mr Snuggles. I sit with Bunty on my lap resting against Ben