Mia POV:

I woke up with a smile on my face. The last few days were wonderful considering the heartache Nathan put me through. But, Benny made it better. He's not what I expected. He's sincere, kind and down to earth. Even somewhat shy which I find endearing since it only seems to be with me. As I was getting out of bed my phone dinged.

Benny: Morning Beautiful. Any plans for today?

Mia: probably just a beach day. We're planning on heading back early to try and avoid the traffic.

Benny: What if I have a proposition for you?

Mia: And what kind of proposition is this exactly? This better not be dirty. 😯

Benny: Definitely not. We'll maybe a little dirty.

Is he for real right now.....

Benny: get your mind out of the gutters. I was thinking breakfast. Hopefully with Ethan and your friends? And then how about horseback riding? Has Ethan ever been? We have a stable on the property. I'm taking my niece too.

Benny: and before you overthink. I understand about keeping quite about our dates in front of Ethan. And I respect that. We'll call it a play date since my niece is coming?

Damn, he's good. I do feel weird he met Ethan. But Ethan seems to like him. And he's never been horseback riding. It really would be an amazing ending to this weekend for him.

Mia: okay. 😊

With that I took a quick shower. I put on some jeans and sneakers since we are going horseback riding. Glad I packed some incase it got cold at night. When I went to wake up Ethan he was already up and dressed in a bathing suit. "Mommy, you said we can go to the beach for a little before we leave. Why are you wearing jeans?" I smirked. "I may have a surprise for you, but I don't know if you'll like it." He seemed unsure. "What kind of surprise?" "Well, my friend Benny is taking his niece Abby horseback riding and wanted to know if we'd like to go?" His eyes bulged out of his head. "Are you serious? I can ride a real horse!" I just nodded as he jumped up and down in excitement. "This is going to be so cool!! Do I need to wear jeans like you? Are the horses nice? How big are they?" I stopped him before he can ask 101 questions. "Yes to the jeans and sneakers. And why don't you save the questions for Benny since they're his horses? We're gonna have breakfast with them and then head out to the stables where they keep the horses." He nodded and rushed to his suitcase to find jeans.

I walked out of his room to find David and Jack. They were already in the kitchen with coffee made, "morning boys". They just nodded. "So, you guys mind if we all have breakfast with Benny?" That got their attention, "Really? Wow, what is that four dates in a row now? Someone is sure moving fast." I smacked his arm. "Shut up. Technically, one real date maybe two if you count the party. Yesterday was just a casual BBQ with friends." David raised his eyebrows. "And do all casual BBQs with friend end with being escorted home and making out on the porch?" My cheeks reddened, and I just looked away and shrugged.

Jack just smirked all knowingly. "I like the guy. He seems good for you, and he's great with Ethan. It's not fake either." I just shook my head. "Whatever, can you guys just stop. Ethan will be down any minute and in his eyes we are just friends. I want to keep it that way." Jack and David but nodded with those smirks. "Ready mom! Ready!" I nodded. "Okay, okay. Relax. The horses won't go anywhere." Then David and Jack looked confused. "Did you guys here? I get to ride a horse today! I real one!" They both eyed me and I just shrugged.

We took the golf cart to the main house. It is a far walk. Benny said to just come through the main back door which enters the kitchen. It was a full house with his parents, brother and his wife, his sister and her fiancé and to my surprise his other sister. Benny reintroduced me to everyone which they rolled their eyes at him for but also introduced my friends since they never got a proper introduction yesterday. His youngest sister who is discovering herself is Nicole. I notice Jack looked shell shock seeing her. Why do I have a feeling there is a story there?

His step-mom Helen well mom in his eyes, was so sweet. She asked me to come help with the girls and let the boys handle the kids, even thought there are only two. "So Mia, I'm so happy you came for breakfast. We always do an intermediate family breakfast the day after our big BBQ." I kinda felt embarrassed. "Oh, I hope I'm not intruding". She just laughed. "Oh sweetie, not at all. You're part of the family." I almost choked on the coffee I was drinking. "I'm sorry." She just beamed. "Relax, I'm just saying. If Benny invited you it means he plans on making you part of the family. That child has always been 100% certain about his choices. Why do you think he's never been pictured with any girls. God, even as a teenager and in college he never had a girlfriend."

I was taken back. "Never?" She just shook her head. "He's 32. How is that possible?" She sighed. "Keep this between us sweetie. His mother is not a good woman. A gold digger and a harlot. He is the oldest and saw the worst of it. When I came into the picture he was only 8 years old. He saw that woman bring in one man after another into this home behind my husbands back. She never cared, it broke him. When they finally divorced he saw his father broken. Bernard is a good man, an amazing father and a wonderful husband. His first wife was just a". Then she whispered "gold digging whore". "Anyways, it took time for him to realize I was nothing like his mother. She didn't care about the kids, they held guaranteed dollar signs for her, Nannie's raised them until I came into the picture. Once he saw the love his father and I had for each other something clicked. But, he's always been a very certain person."

"What do you mean by that?" She laughed. "Nothing bad. He just doesn't make decisions unless he's 100% sure. Like when he wanted to play a sport, he refused to even try out for a team unless he was 100% sure this was something he was willing to commit to long term. He refused to waste his time on something he just liked instead of loved. He said that's where his father made his mistake. His father liked his first wife, but it was set up between their parents. Not forced or arranged. He liked her and thought that would develop into love but it was one sided. On his side, she just wanted him for the name and his money, but he got three beautiful children he adores. It took Benny a long time to realize that things happen for a reason. But he is still that boy that won't jump into anything unless he's 100% sure. See my dear, that's why I'm certain about you. He wouldn't have been seen in public let alone introduced us to you unless he was sure."

"Umm, wow. I don't know what to say. We barely know each other. And I have a son. I mean we've only been on a few dates if you can even call it that. I just, I've only been on a handful of dates in 6 years. And they never lasted more then one date. I just...." She just stopped me, "But tell me this. If what you say is true, why have you spent 4 days in a row with Benny? Think about that my dear. I think you realize there's something there like he does. Just take your time. He's a patient man." I just nodded. We finished breakfast and placed everything at the breakfast bar and made it buffet style. Helen called everyone in to eat.

Breakfast was fun. Everyone was talking about the weekend and their favorite parts. It was easy conversation between everyone. You can tell they are all very close and have a loving relationship. It was nice. It was never like that with Nathan's family. Dinners with them were tense and nerve racking. This was just relaxed and happy. Once we were done, Ethan couldn't sit still, "mommy, mommy, is it time? Please say it's time." I looked at Benny and he nodded with a smile. Ethan saw that nod and jumped out of his seat grabbing Abby's hand. "Come on! Let's go ride horses. I'm gonna be a real cowboy!" Everyone couldn't help but smile and laugh at my ball of energy.

"Hey Mia?" David asked. "What's up? You guys wanna come?" He smirked but shook his head. "Actually me and Jack were thinking about heading back to beat the traffic. We can bring yours and Ethan's stuff too. Oh and Nicole asked for a ride back to the city so we offered." I looked at Jack who was having a private conversation with Nicole and it looked a little heated. I looked at David and he just shrugged. "Okay, but how am I going to get back?" Then Benny appeared. "I've got it taken care of. I promise I will have you back at anytime you need. I know Ethan starts school tomorrow so you want him well rested." David was smiling like he knew a secret.

"Okay, yeah I just want us back by." I looked at my watch and it was already 10am. "5 latest, so he can have dinner. It's normally 2 1/2 hours but with traffic add an hour at least. As long as we can leave by 1-1:30 that's fine. Oh, I'm going to need his booster seat." Benny placed his hand on my shoulder and gave my shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "It's all taken care of. And I promise I can get you into the city and home anytime you need." I looked over my shoulder and he had a genuine smile that said he wasn't lying. "Okay, thanks." I turned to David to walk him out and give him my keys even though he is a horrible driver. Thank god I have full coverage.

"I packed a small bag of a change of clothes and necessities just in case." I nodded "thanks, why do I feel like you have a secret your not telling me?" He just smirked and shook his head which meant he did but he's not telling. Ugh. He gave me a hug and headed out, I noticed Jack and Nicole were already in the car. That's weird for Jack not to say bye. Something is definitely going on.

I headed back inside to find an impatient Ethan waiting, "ok, sorry. I had to say bye. I'm ready though. Let's do this!" Abby and Ethan squeezed with delight and ran out the back as Benny patiently waited. Once I reached him he placed his hand on my lower back smiling at me as he lead the way. We took the golf cart to the stables. I was expecting one or two horse but not this, it was huge and there were at-least 20 horses, maybe more.

Benny walked us around the stables explaining info about the ave horse. Many were racing horses, some show horses and then the riding horses. I was grateful the horses the kids were riding were much smaller then the huge stallions. Benny patiently went over everything with Ethan about riding. I was a bit nervous but Benny gave me that look saying he will be just fine. Abby was a pro at this, getting her helmet and mounting the horse like it was second nature. Benny helped Ethan with everything and got him on the horse and the smile and excitement on his face was priceless. I had to snap a few photos.

"What about you? You need some help? Have you ever ridden before?" I just nodded. My dad use to take me riding, he lived to get out of the city, we mostly rode on trails, nothing crazy. I walked passed Benny, and hopped into the horse like it was second nature. He just smirked and nodded and did the same. We decided he would lead and kids in the middle and I would stay behind.

It was amazing, by the time we got back it was already 1pm. Figured we should get ready to head back but the next thing I know Ethan and Abby pushed me into the pool fully clothed. I should be mad but couldn't help but laugh with the kids. "Oh Ethan, you are in trouble now". But before I could even get out Benny grabbed both kids and jumped in with them. We were all laughing, I guess we may end up late, so glad David packed a just incase bag for us. Before I knew it, I was already three and the kids were starving.

"So much for getting into the city by 5pm". Benny just chuckled. "Babygirl, I made a promise didn't I? I never go back in my promises." I was about to question it when food was brought out. We are real quick and changed. Ethan said by to his new best friend Abby. I exchanged numbers with her mother since they live in the city too. I grabbed our stuff and started to walk towards the front door when Benny stopped me. "Wrong way love." Then he steered me through the back and we hopped in the gold cart. Before I knew it we were in front a helipad with a helicopter.

Me and Ethan both said "no way". At the same time and Benny couldn't help but laugh. "We're going in that?" I asked. And Benny nodded. "So that's why you were so sure you could get me back in time."

"I told you, I never break a promise."