A Little Understanding

Benji's Surprise

Sunday rolled around pretty quick, and not only was Layla excited to be seeing Jeffrey again, but she was also really excited for Benji. She couldn't wait to see what surprise Jeff had in store for him.

Her best friend had visited yesterday and given Benji his birthday present. They had a small celebration together with some cake. Layla avoided singing the happy birthday song because for some unknown reason it always made Benji cry, even when it wasn't being sung to him. And once they got to clapping and cheering at the end of the song, that's when he would hit meltdown mode. So a short Happy Birthday Benji was the way to go.

Jeffrey arrived that morning just as Benji was opening his presents from his Mum. She had bought him a bunch of new Thomas the Tank Engine trains for his collection as well as a couple of sets of track to join on to his existing one. Benji was over the moon.

Layla managed to coax Benji into the car by letting him bring a few of his new trains with him, and with Jeff driving they set off to their destination.

They travelled for just under an hour and when they arrived Layla was grinning from ear to ear. She knew that Benji was going to be so excited. On a large sign she read 'Arcade & Attica Railroad'. She looked over at Jeffrey who was grinning like a cat who got the cream.

"I did good didn’t I?" He teased.

"You did amazing! Benji is going to love this! How did I not know this was here?" she chuckled. "Thank you" she smiled as she leaned over and kissed him before climbing out and unbuckling Benji.

The second Benji heard the whistle of the steam train before he even saw it,  his face lit up at the sound that he knew so well. "Steam train!" He squealed excitedly, and both Layla and Jeffrey laughed at his reaction.

They all went for a ride on the train and Benji was in awe the entire time as he sat on his Mums knee watching out the window. Jeffrey took out his phone and snapped a quick selfie of all three of then, Benji on his Mums knee and Jeff with his arm around Layla.  When they arrived back Benji even got to go up to the cab and the driver and fireman showed him all the different parts of the train, letting him make the train whistle sound. Layla had never seen him so engaged and so happy.

After the train ride they walked through the museum where Benji got to see a bunch of old diesel locomotives and steam trains too. They stopped for a bite to eat at the cafe before taking another ride on the steam train at Benji's request. They stayed the entire day, checking out everything there was to see, only leaving when the place was getting ready to close.

"Okay Benji, it's time to go back home now buddy" Layla smiled.

"Steam train!" Benji exclaimed.

"They are closing now buddy. But we can come back another day to see the train" she said as she tried to lead him to the car, but Benji didn't want to go.

"Trains!" He called out.

"The train is going to sleep now Benji baby. Do you want to say goodnight trains?"

"Goodnight trains!" Benji yelled.

"Good boy. Let's got to the car now".

"Oh no... trains!"

"Hey Benji..." Jeffrey whispered as he crouched down next to the boy. "The train is going to bed now dude. We can come again another day and see them. How about you look after this train and we go to the car now?" Jeffrey said as he held out a small replica model steam train toy.

"Steam train" Benji smiled as he grabbed it and inspected it all over.

"Car now?" Jeffrey asked as he held out his hand to Benji, and to his surprise Benji took it and started to walk back to the car with him.

"Thank you" Layla whispered.

Jeffrey just smiled and helped Benji into the car, buckling him in and checking he was secure as he had watched Layla do a few times.

When he had closed the door Layla gripped the collar of his shirt, and standing on her tip toes she pressed a kiss to his lips. "You have given Benji the most wonderful birthday. I don't have enough words to express how much this means to me" she smiled before kissing him deeply.

"No words needed" he grinned, kissing her again.

As they pulled out of the parking lot and headed away from the trains Benji began to cry.

"Oh no! Trains!"

"Benji. It's okay. We'll come back another day" Layla said calmly.

"My trains!" Benji cried.

"Deep breaths Benji. You have the train in your hand, you look after that one".

"Oh no!" He continued crying in among incoherent words. Benji began to bang his head against his carseat as he cried.

"Do you want me to pull over?" Jeffrey asked after a few minutes of Layla trying to calm him.

"Yes please".

Jeffrey stopped the car and Layla got out, heading to Benji's door. She gave him a hug and wiped his tears, applying a deep pressure until he began to calm down. She handed him his favourite blanky and put a weighted lap blanket on his legs to continue to provide the deep pressure input he needed. She set him up with some steam train videos on the ipad and they continued their journey home.

They stopped on the way and got Benji some dinner before carrying on home. Once he had eaten Layla gave Benji a quick bath and got him ready for bed.

"Do you want to pick a book Benji?" She asked.

"Thomas book" he exclaimed as he ran to the bookshelf and grabbed a Thomas the Tank Engine book and took it to his Mum. She picked him up ready to carry him off to bed when he surprised them both saying "Come on Jeffwey.

"Sure buddy" he smiled as he followed them down the hall.

Jeff sat on the bed as Layla read to Benji before tucking him in and giving him a kiss. "Goodnight Benji baby. I love you" she smiled as they headed out the door.

"Night Benji" Jeff smiled.

Layla quietly closed his door before turning to Jeff and giving him a quick kiss.

"What was that for?"

"Just for being you" she smiled.

"Hey... check this out" he said as he took out his phone showing her a picture he had snapped earlier that day. It was of Layla and Benji sitting together while they rode the train, the two of them looked so happy.

"Mr Morgan... you are my hero" she whispered with a grin as she stepped in close and kissed him softly.

"I am?" He chuckled.

"You are" she smiled before kissing him again, this time more deeply and passionately leaving the two of them breathless.

"Stay?" She whispered softly.

"You sure?"

"Positive" Layla smiled as she took his hand and began to walk backwards pulling him in to her bedroom and Jeffrey slowly pushed the door closed behind him.

It's finally gonna happen... I hope you all are excited about this as I am 😂
DV.