Page 61 of The Doctor's Twins

“And, just like that you’re the perfect woman.”

* * *

I felt a little silly after I’d been so nervous about meeting Ben’s family. He was right. His family was as kind and easygoing as he was.

“Mom, Dad, this is Payton. Darling, meet Alan and Frances Forbes.”

“Hello, Peyton,” Alan said and kissed me on the cheek. “Lovely to meet you.”

“Oh, my goodness,” Frances added, “you are even more beautiful than Ben said. It’s lovely to meet you, Peyton.”

“Is Owen coming, sweetheart?” Frances asked Ben.

“Yeah, he and Suzy will be along soon.”

I was looking forward to meeting Ben’s brother. Ben spoke so fondly of him that I just knew I would love him.

“So, Peyton. Ben tells us you’re a doctor too. Have you decided which field you’re going to pursue?” Alan asked me.

“I’m still weighing up my options,” I said, as I honestly hadn’t decided yet.

“Ben says you’re very smart,” Frances added.

“Oh, he’s very sweet,” I smiled and blushed.

“It’s true. You are a brilliant intern. You can do anything you set your mind to,” Ben cooed, making me love him just a little more right then.

“Thank you.”

The front door opened and in stepped a very handsome man accompanied by a woman with black hair and a beautiful smile. Owen looked so much like Ben. Except his eyes were different.

“Hey, little brother. Come on in. Hi, Suzy. Good to see you,” Ben said and embraced the newcomers.

“Hi, I’m Suzy,” the lovely woman greeted me with a smile. “So nice to meet you, Peyton.”

“Hi, Suzy. It’s a pleasure.”

“Ahh, the lovely Peyton,” Owen said, and kissed me on the cheek, before he turned to Ben and said, “I don’t know what you’re on about, Ben. She’s not that ugly.”

Everyone started laughing. The ice was broken. Ben slapped his brother on the shoulder and rolled his eyes.

“Sorry, Peyton. I told you my brother wasn’t altogether house-trained yet.”

The afternoon went by so quickly. Ben’s family was a delight, and it was truly heartwarming to watch the two boys ribbing one another. Suzy offered to help me fetch the cheesecake and plates from the kitchen.

“Wow. Ben is crazy about you,” she said once we were out of earshot.

“That’s good because I feel the same way about him.”

“He’s such a lovely guy. You got yourself a good one, Peyton,” she smiled.

“Owen seems like a barrel of laughs.”

“And then some. Honestly, he keeps me sane. My mother is a serious pain in the backside. If it weren’t for Owen, I think I would have been a feature on the Crime Channel a long time ago.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

“Sorry, that was insensitive of me,” I offered.

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