Their Love Story
Mutual friend Annie introduced Maria and Ben while in college. In fact, Annie and Ben were dating and Maria met Ben and was smitten. He too fell for Maria. Annie graciously stepped aside seeing how Maria and Ben belonged together. [Now if only Meg had seen it.]
Eventually the two married but Ben's evil twin brother ruined Maria and Ben's happiness. One night when Maria and Ben were supposed to meet in their cave Maria didn't show up. Concerned for his love Ben returned home only to see Maria in bed with Derek. Ben ran to his boat The Mariah just as a storm was brewing. Maria followed and they fought. The storm caused the bow to break and it hit Maria and she fell into the shivering waters. Ben jumped in after Maria but was unable to save her. Many believed that Ben had killed Maria.
Five years after Maria's death Ben began to move on with Meg Cummings. And as the two were planning their wedding Maria turned up very much alive as Dana, a amnesic patient at Cedar Oaks. Tim Truman was the first to find out that Maria was really Dana. Annie also learned the truth and the two kept it a secret until the wedding day. Meg and Ben did marry though and head to the reception where Maria shocked all by catching the bouquet.
Maria moved in with Ben and Meg to try and remember her past. She wanted to grant Ben a divorce because Meg meant so much to her and she wanted her to be happy. Maria finally remembered the night she died and Sara witnessed a close moment between Ben and Maria told Meg that the pair were kissing. Meg, upset that Maria was kissing Ben, pushed Maria down the stairs.
The fall proved useful and Maria remember her past except for the five years she was away from Sunset Beach. Of course she also remember the love she and Ben shared and wanted to stay married to Ben. The two headed to Palm Springs where Maria wanted to make love. Ben ran from his true feelings and returned to the safety of Meg's arms.
Maria was ready to grant Ben a divorce when Benji showed up. Tess Marin was someone Maria had known in Seattle and claims that Benji is Ben and Maria's son. Tyus performs a paternity test and confirms that Ben is the daddy. With Tess's prodding Benji is mean to Meg. In becomes clear that Tess wants Maria and Ben together. Tess than has Benjy kidnapped and makes it look as though Meg was responsible. Meg than moves out of Ben's house and into Surf Central with Casey, much to Sara's dismay. Tim learns that Tess set-up Benji's kidnapping. She tells him it was because Maria promised her one million dollars if Maria and Ben reunited.
Tess continues to try and break Meg and Ben up. Casey and Sara break up and Casey and Meg share a kiss. Ben sees Meg and Casey kissing and ends up making mad passionate love to Maria.
Sara and Meg soon become suspicious of Tess and Tim. Ben flies to Seattle to learn more about Tess and Maria's life there but Derek returns. Derek convinces Maria that he loves her and the two make love. The two reunited and Maria believes that Derek is Ben and she is finally happy. Derek reveals himself to Tess and the two share a kiss. Tim eventually learns of Tess and Derek's secret past and Derek kills him. Maria learns the truth about Tess and Derek and remembers her past in Seattle and that Benji wasn't her son. [Derek and Tess drugged her.] Tess kidnapped Maria and Derek and her planned to kill Casey, Sara, and Meg. Ben escaped and shot Derek and Tess was arrested and sent to jail. Maria gained custody of Benji. And most TPTB stupidly reunited Ben and Meg. [Ewwwww]