She took a deep breath before answering, "But don't you think this is all my fault?"
Ben's brows quickly came together in a knot of concern, "What? No. Why would you think that?"
Selene brought her uninjured hand to her mouth and started biting on one nail. Ben gently removed her hand from her mouth and after a moment, she answered, "I shouldn't have engaged with her. I should have just ignored her and went about my business. It's like I taunted her and our baby almost suffered the consequences."
Ben lifted up her chin again, but this time sternly, and waited until she met his gaze. With an authoritative tone, he told her, "This was absolutely, 100% not your fault. That woman would have antagonized you until she got what she wanted, believe me. No matter what you said or did say. If I was in your place, would you blame me? I mean, if you think about it, this is actually all my fault."
Selene looked surprised, "What? How can you say that. How could this possibly be your fault."
Shrugging, Ben answered, "I promised to protect you and I failed."
Seeing that he was serious, Selene kissed him. "Okay, I get what you're saying. You're right—this is neither of our faults. I should put the blame where it belongs."
Ben nodded, "Right at that woman's feet."
Selene slowly closed her eyes and opened them, giving her agreement. She apologized, "Sorry I was being unreasonable."
Ben caressed her cheek, "Why are you being so formal with me? No need for apologies. Just always try to remember that even if bad things happen, we will get through them together."
Selene smiled, "That's right." Then after a few moments, she groaned, "Ugh, how am I supposed to stay in bed all day?"
Ben kissed her, "I'll just have to make it worth your while."
Selene pulled away, putting her cast-covered hand on his chest as if to say stop. "Hold on lover-boy," she teased. "You heard what the doctor said. No sex for the next couple of weeks."
With a mischievous grin, Ben replied, "He said no intercourse, but he didn't say anything about other activities."
Sadly, as the couple found out later that evening, those "other activities" were also on the no fly list. At least for a couple weeks until Selene was re-evaluated.
The next afternoon, Selene was discharged, and Ben took her home. Peter and Johnny stopped by to keep them company for dinner and then went back to Johnny's penthouse.
Once inside, Peter complained, "I can't believe that bitch got out of jail so easily."
Johnny was surprised, "You were so calm and collected the whole time we were over there."
"I was holding my outrage in, okay? I didn't want to upset Selene what with everything," Peter replied. Then he pulled Johnny over and leaned his head on Johnny's shoulder. "I want to be strong for her, but I'm so mad I could burst. First Victor and now Natalia. I wish she could just enjoy being pregnant and be happy with Ben, you know?"
Johnny embraced his fiancé and responded, "I know. Come on, let's go to the bedroom and I'll give you a massage. You've been carrying a lot on your shoulders."
"You're the best," Peter said, giving him a small smile.
He allowed himself to be led by Johnny into the bedroom. Once there, Peter stopped short and, with a sly look, teased, "Before the massage…." He trailed off so he could pull Johnny closer. Then he kissed Johnny, slowly at first and then with more hunger.
Johnny pulled away to catch his breath, then asked, "What was that for?"
Peter smiled, "For being the best fiancé a man could ask for."
Johnny ran his hand through Peter's hair, "I could say something cringy back, but I'd rather give you a message. Now strip."
After the massage, which by its very nature was handsy, Peter decided to give the same as he got to Johnny. By the time all was said and done, Peter's hoarse voice could be heard saying, "I think we should elope to Vegas. I don't know how much longer I can wait."
The next morning, over breakfast, Johnny hesitantly brought up those words. "So…umm…were you serious last night?"
Peter shrugged his eyebrows up and down in a teasing manner as he replied, "I was serious about a lot of things last night. To what are you referring, my love?"
Johnny slanted his head to one side as if to say this is no joking matter. "I am referring to you throwing out words like elope and Vegas, my love," he answered with a slightly sarcastic tone. "Out of nowhere, I might add."
Peter's cheeks became tinged with a slight reddish hue as he thought to the activities of the previous evening. He cleared his throat, "I may have said something to that effect in the heat of the moment."
"So you weren't serious then," Johnny probed.
Peter nibbled on his bottom lip as he thought for a few moments. Then, he answered, "I don't know. To be honest, I've thought about eloping a million times. I know my parents are accepting of me, of us, but our church isn't the most open-minded when it comes to two men getting married. I've always wanted a church wedding as you know, but I also want to be considerate of them. And eloping would be faster. We could do it next weekend if we wanted…err, maybe not next weekend but whenever Selene is off bed-rest."
Johnny smiled gently, "You are a good friend and a good son. But this is our wedding, and you get to be a little selfish, you know? Think about what you want. What you really want. Whatever it is, I will do it for you."
"I know," Peter smiled back. "That's why I said you're the best fiancé ever…I guess if I had to think about what's in my heart of hearts…that would be you. I want to marry you as soon as we can."
"Then let's do that," Johnny said. "It doesn't have to be Las Vegas. We can get married anywhere you want, whenever you want."
Peter looked at him skeptically, "I don't know about that."
Johnny gave a mischievous smirk, "You forget. I'm loaded and money can buy a lot of things."