Fate || BENNIFER

Where Life Begins

Jennifer's P.O.V

A heartbeat. A moment. Life in its purest form. Indescribable feelings that would be beyond impossible to put into words. I was overcome with emotion when I saw that tiny being on the monitor. It was an instant, a second. Nothing at first, and suddenly, a rhythm and an image. It was real. It was happening. It was beautiful and scary. And It wasn't the air conditioning or the cold gel on my belly what made my skin crawl, it was the feeling that my heart was already beating with unconditional love for that baby. Ben was next to me. He held my left hand between his two hands and kissed it sweetly every now and then. And there we were, sharing that magical moment where life begins.

"That's our baby." He said in a tender low voice.

My lower lip trembled as I tried to hold back the tears that insisted on coming out. Seeing it made it more real. Something in me knew that would be the last time I'd experience such an ineffable process, and I wasn't willing to let any precious moment pass in front of my eyes without enjoying it. Countless thoughts crossed my mind in a matter of seconds, but one of them refused to leave. How many times had we talked about the babies we'd have? It became a usual conversation after we got engaged, but we didn't even get married. Now we were the image of a second chance, embarking on a journey we had planned together a decade before.

"Is everything alright?" I asked. "No twins in there?" I joked in an attempt to forget how nervous I was.

Ben's eyes opened wide. He's reaction was so funny, but his face relaxed when the answer was a "no". I would've laughed if it wasn't because I was waiting for another answer.

"See there?" The doctor said pointing to the blinking on the monitor. "That's the heartbeat of a very healthy eight week fetus."

I turned to Ben with the biggest smile on my face, no words were needed to let each other know how we felt. And he knew I wanted to kiss him, my eyes locked on his lips before he obliged. Our lips brushed repeatedly, softly, delicately, like butterfly wings. Easily forgetting that we were not alone.

"Around this week, the symptoms may appear in full force, so if you feel tired or sick just try to take it easy." The doctor said.

"She doesn't know what that means." Ben chuckled. I nudged him.

Everything was okay, and I couldn't ask for more. I couldn't wait to tell the coconuts and see their reaction. I wasn't sure if they'd fully understand it, but I was very excited.

"I'll see you again in a month. Take care." The doctor said with an ironic fun face.

"I will." I said looking at Ben with the same face.

Ben was the first to walk out, and then I followed him. When we met in the parking, I remembered. I opened my purse, and from the top, I took one of the copies of the ultrasound. I held it out for him, but instead of taking it, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me gently to bring me into his embrace. I was received by his broad chest and forceful arms.

"Thank you for this unexpected happiness, Little." He said kissing the top of my head.

I pulled back in surprise, suddenly transported to 2002. It was like a flashback interrupting the present moment, but in a good way. That single word brought back a lot of memories.

"What?" He asked confused with a cute face.

"You haven't called me that in so long." I said with a shy smile.

"Oh... I guess it just felt right." He said. "If you don't like it..."

"I love it." I said with a smile.

I stood on tiptoe, proving that the nickname still applied, and I reached for his lips as he leaned in for a tender kiss.

I handed him the copy, and I kissed his cheek as I caressed his face before saying goodbye. We left the building in two different cars and in two different directions.

The moment I got home and I realized how real it was, I started smiling like a fool. And if I thought the day couldn't get any better, I was wrong. I had to make a few calls and reply to some emails, Benny hadn't heard from me in a week, and I had to communicate to the American Idol production team that I'd be leaving for the season. But the day was for me and the cocos, nothing else mattered.

I spent every minute of the rest of day with them, and although I offered them lots of plans, we ended up doing the simplest thing, drawing. The moment was perfect, and it happened so naturally. Their creations were so cute, but mine hid a little message.

"That's me!" Emme said when she saw it.

"That's me!" Max said when he realized he was also part of the drawing. "And that's mommy."

"Yes!" I said holding it closer to them.

"Who's that?" Emme asked.

"That's a baby." I answered analyzing their faces and reactions. "Do you like babies?" I asked, and they nodded. "Would you like to have a baby brother or sister?"

They stopped and thought for a moment, probably weighing the pros and cons of the situation in their funny little minds.

"I want a brother." Max said.

"I want a sister." Emme said.

I laughed thinking how convenient would've been another set of twins. And I would've loved seeing Ben getting to live such a fun experience.

"But I'm only having one baby." I said amused.

Both seemed confused, looking at each other.

"Are you buying it?" Emme asked very serious.

"No. The baby is right here, in my belly." I explained, placing my hand on my still flat belly.

"Did you eat it?" Max asked alarmed.

"No, baby. Come here." I said as I reached for the ultrasound copy. "This is the first picture of the baby."

He grabbed it and tried to find a baby in the sketchy picture. Emme wanted to see it too, taking it straight from his brother's hand. Max walked over to where I was sitting and placed his head very close to my belly.

"Hi." He whispered.

My skin crawled at the unexpected reaction he had. Emme joined him, and they started to playfully talk and touch. I couldn't help but pout as l struggled to hold back the tears.

"Right now it is very small, but soon it will start to grow and move, and you'll be able to feel it." I explained, as they seemed very interested.

"What's the name?" Emme asked.

"What would you like it to be?" I said, thinking they could also be a source of inspiration.

"Batman!" Max jumped in excitement. Emme's grimace told me she didn't like it.

"I'll give it a thought." I said laughing.

Maybe they weren't the best source of inspiration after all.

"Will you take care of the baby?" I asked them.

"Yes!" They said in unison.