Christmas Wish

Chapter 2

A woman of similar height to Ciara stood in front of Ben wearing a tan trench coat with large, dark shades, "Are you Ben Weston?" Ben tried to gauge if this woman was an undercover cop or something. Reluctantly, Ben nodded.

The woman took off her shades, "I have something for you." Panic began to rise through Ben and Ciara walked in a moment later. Ciara paused when she saw Ben was as white as a ghost. Ciara turned to the woman, "You didn't tell him who you were, did you?" The woman shook her head and smirked as she chuckled, "Where's the fun in that?" Ciara shoved the woman's shoulder lightly, "You're terrible, you know that?"

Ciara pointed to the door, "Let's go get the surprise." Ciara and the woman walked out the door. Ben just stared at the door so confused what was transpiring. The woman and Ciara walked back into the room with Ciara carrying a 6-month old baby girl.

Ciara bounced the baby, "Say 'Hi' to Daddy." Tears brimmed Ben's eyes and he opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Ciara smiled as she took steps toward Ben until he was within an arm's grasp to his daughter. In a voice barely below a whisper, Ben said "Hi Olivia." Ciara smiled as she handed Olivia to Ben.

Ben carefully took his daughter in his arms and rubbed one hand up and down her back while cradling her head into his neck. Ben inhaled deeply, "Oh, my baby. My sweet Olivia Stefanie." Tears brimmed Ciara's eyes at the sight. She had wanted and prayed for this moment for so long but feared it would never come, especially after a judge blocked Ciara from bringing Olivia to Statesville.

Ciara watched Ben with their daughter for several moments before breaking the silence, "Ben, this is my sister Chelsea. Aka the best secret-keeper to ever come out of Salem." Ben smiled at the woman now identified as Chelsea. Ben took a step toward her. In a soft voice, Ben said, "Thank you. Not just what you've done for Ciara, but for my daughter."

Chelsea smiled, "Olivia's my niece and Ciara's my sister, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for them." Ben looked down at his daughter before looking back at Chelsea. Chelsea wiped her hands on her coat, "Well, I know you guys are in much need for some family bonding time, so I'll just get out of your hair."

Chelsea turned to leave and Ciara pulled on her sister's arm hard, "Oh, no. You're not going anywhere." Chelsea faced Ciara, "Ciara..." Ciara held her sister's forearm, "Chels, after all you've done, keeping my secret, helping me with the pregnancy, with Olivia, the least I can do is make a meal for you." Chelsea smiled after a moment and rolled her eyes, "FINE."

Ciara smiled, "Let's go see what we can come up with." Ciara headed for the kitchen and Chelsea followed. Chelsea turned back to face Ben, "Don't worry, I'll help her and make sure it's ACTUALLY edible." Ben chuckled slightly, "Good, cause as much as I love my Bobcat and she's got her talents, the kitchen ain't one of them." Ciara narrowed her eyes and put a hand on her hip, "I'll show you my kitchen skills." Ben chuckled, "Babe, you know I love you but just from making eggs, the kitchen looks like a damn hurricane hit."

Chelsea chuckled, "Hurricane Ciara, sounds about right. She's got her mom's cooking skills while luckily, I inherited our dad's." Ciara scoffed, "So now you two are double-teaming me?" Chelsea and Ben shared a look before both nodding.

Ciara and Chelsea headed into the kitchen while Ben lifted Olivia over his head, "My baby girl, my beautiful perfect baby girl." Ben lowered Olivia so they were eye-to-eye. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day, to meet you. Since your mama told me she was pregnant." Olivia's big green eyes stared into Ben's. Ben almost felt like Oliva was understanding what he was saying.

Ben kissed Olivia's forehead, "I promise you baby, I am going to do whatever it takes to give you the best life possible, give you everything I never had." Ben's heart sunk, he was a wanted fugitive, hiding out from the law. He couldn't even take his daughter to the park or the zoo or anything. Was it fair to Olivia to have to live a life in these four walls? Ben heart sank further, he knew what he had to do.