Deceive not my love-The prince and his maid II

Like Ben triplets

*Mirabella*

I might be staring just a bit, but not only do the two young men look like twins, except for the eyes, they also both look so much like a younger version of Ben that it is scary.

“I don’t know about infamous.. and pirate, that was a long time ago… but Ben I am”. He leans closer to me whispering. “What are people talking about ? I see no resemblance”.

Staring at him I wonder if he is blind or just in denial and I can’t help asking. “Tell me Ben, do you have a twin I never heard off ?”

“No, I am an only child, why ?” He looks confused.

“Congratulations then, you are a father”. I make a motion towards the guys. “Stop denying it”.

Benji… or is that Benja nods. “Mom says the same”.

“My mom too”. The other Ben clone chips in.

“Yeah, not to speak evil of your mom’s boys ..”. Ben starts.

Both guys folds their arms on their chests. “Then don’t”.

“Time to step up”. I tell him, then I add in a softer tone. “You can do it”.

Ben sighs. “Listen guys, I am just not… I had no idea and I am not sure how to do this”.

“Can I come with a suggestion ?” I suggest, knowing men often need a bit of help with such things.

All three men look at me and honestly it is a bit unnerving.

“What about the.. guys join us for dinner tonight ?” I suggest. “You can sit and talk in private then”.

The two young men smile at me, and Ben nods. “Sounds like a good idea, thanks Bella”.

I smile to myself as they make plans for where and when, I am sure Ben will actually be a good father, he just needs to get used to the idea.

That is why later in the evening I walk into a big in and the elderly woman behind the desk claps her hands together. “As I live and breathe, if that isn’t Three legged Ben, come here you rascal”.

“Belle, my dear”. He hugs her tightly, then waves me forward. “This is a little weird but, Bella this is madam Belle, the owner of this fine establishment. Belle, this is Mirabella, or Bella”.

“Nice to meet you Bella”. Belle says, pulling me into her warm embrace. “Any friend of Ben is a friend of mine and very welcome”.

I smile at her. “Thank you Madam Belle”.

“Just say Belle darling”. Then she stops and looks at Ben. “Would this happen to be Will’s Bella ?”

Ben swallows and makes a face, clearly meaning: ‘you should not have mentioned Will’.

“I am not Will’s anything”. I mumble.

“Oh sorry sweety”. She looks around. “What can I do for you guys ?”

Ben nods towards a table in the corner, it is shielded partly by a screen. “Your best table, dinner for four. Privacy”.

“Sure, it’s yours”. She says with a warm smile.

Ben leads me over to the table, whispering softly. “Sorry about that”.

“It’s okay Ben… I just didn’t expected … for him to be mentioned”. I say softly. I guess I have to get used to it.

Soon after Benji and Benja show up, they are dressed in matching dark pants and green shirts and I have to choke off a laugh. When the food is served we start with casual small talk, but soon the conversation turns.

“So… Bella”. Benji, I have finally learned to tell the difference, says. “We were talking about this earlier, so I have to ask… are you our sister, or… step mother”.

Ben spits out his beer and I think I might be making a face too. Ben quickly answers. “Neither.. she is the daughter of a friend… seriously”.

“So… no boyfriend ?” Benja asks, smiling at me.

“Or husband ?” Benji says. “And we are not related”.

I feel my cheek flush. “Uhm..”.

“Oh no you two, do not even think that”. Ben shakes his head. “She is still very much off limits, to both of you”.

“We didn’t want to..”. Benja says, still smiling at me.

Benji nods. “… Just being friendly and welcoming”.

“I said no”. Ben huffs. “She is too young… and so are you. And her father is… yeah you do not want to know”.

I take my last bite of food. “I think I will let you guys have some time alone and go talk to madam Belle for a bit”.

“You don’t have to leave”. Ben says, looking almost panicked at the idea of being left alone.

I smile at him. “I think you guys need to talk… alone for a bit”.

“We like your company”. Benji says, lifting one eyebrow.

“A lot”. Benja says, lifting the other eyebrow.

Ben gives me a tight smile. “Please go, apparently they can’t think clearly with a pretty girl close to them”.

“I wonder where they got that from”. I say, giving him a pointed look.

“Not mom”. Benja says, grinning at me.

Benji winks a me. “Definitely not mom”.

“Seriously what am I supposed to talk to them about ?” Ben looks at me.

I shrug. “Tell them about some of your adventures when you were a famous pirate”.

“Yeah”. Both guys say excitedly.

“And ask them about their lives up til now”. I give him a smile. “Have fun boys”.

Then I walk over to the bar. Honestly I need a little break in my head from the trio.