Remember When...? (2)

33.

1 week later...
July 20th, 2021

Ally

Ben is 25 today and I have an idea of what to get him, I just don't know what yet.

"What is it you don't have?" I ask him.

"Why?" He asked me back.

"Don't answer a question with a question, bozo." I say.

"Why not?" He says.

"Ben!"

He chuckles.

"Alright I'll stop." He said.

I huff out a breath as he grins.

"I have everything I need right here." He said.

"I appreciate you saying that. But...I mean material objects." I exclaim.

He shrugs. I sigh.

"So do you actually want a wedding or do you just want to elope and call it a day?" He asks me.

"Ben, what?" I ask.

"Because I know this nice place where we can have a small wedding of about 30 people. Fifty if you want to do plus ones." He went on.

I close my eyes and furrow my brows. Then I shake my head and open my eyes.

"That's completely off topic." I say.

"I just want to know what you want to do in terms of marriage." He said. "Something lowkey, or-"

"Ben stop." I cut him off.

He blinks at me. I inhale through my mouth and out through my nose. I sit down on the couch, closing my eyes again.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I just need a minute to think. You just took me on a mild emotional roller coaster." I answer him honestly.

"I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to do that." He said.

"I'm just...overwhelmed as it is. I want to do something nice for your birthday, but I don't know what because you won't tell me." I stress. "And then you're going on and on about a wedding that hasn't crossed my mind since you proposed."

I run my hands down my face.

"It's just nerve wracking." I press my palms into my eyes.

"We don't have to do anything for my birthday baby. I'm good." He says.

I shake my head. "Don't try to limit your birthday fun because of my pregnancy. I want to enjoy the fun as well."

"What did I tell you about going easy on yourself?" He said.

I roll my eyes. "I'm as careful as can be."

"Yeah, okay." He exclaims.

"What is it you want to do Ben?" I ask him again.

"Nothing, Ally."

"That's bullshit. You're always supposed to celebrate your birthday." I negotiate.

"That I agree with." He said. "But that doesn't mean hurt yourself while at it."

"That's the best part!" I screech.

He furrows his brows. "You was reckless when it came to celebrating?"

"Maybe." I purse my lips.

He raises his brows in shock. "Well shit."

"I wasn't a wild child; not in the slightest. But if there's a party and the music is banging, I'm in there." I exclaim.