Fate || BENNIFER

Distant

Jennifer's P.O.V

As I stepped into the backyard, I was immediately struck by the beautiful decorations that adorned the space. Leah had spent weeks planning and organizing the party even though I had told her that I didn't need a baby shower. But it was clear that no detail had been missed. There were pastel-colored balloons and streamers draped across the pergola and strung  around the trees. The tables were covered in soft pink linens with matching, neatly folded napkins. A centerpiece consisting of pastel flowers stood in the center of the main table. But it was the little touches that caught my attention, various baby items such as teddy bears, rattles, and onesies. Walking around the garden, I was quick to notice the tray of pink and blue cupcakes adorned with miniature flowers, they looked delicious.

It was a happy moment, enjoying a lovely afternoon with family and friends. However, I couldn't ignore the feeling that something was off with Ben. He seemed distracted, lost in his own thoughts, and not enjoying the moment. I noticed him glance at his phone several times and frowning before quickly putting it away. I wondered if he had received some bad news or if something was bothering him. What worried me the most was that it wasn't the first time I felt him so distant.

Desperate for a second opinion, I walked out of the limelight for a moment and I took the seat next to Leah. The expression on my face betrayed me before I could say anything.

"What's wrong?" She placed her hand on my thigh as we kept paying attention to what everyone was doing.

"I don't know." My eyes stuck on Emme and Max having the time of their life.

"Is it about your very distracted man right there?" She gestured with her head.

"I feel like Ben has been particularly distant lately." I sighed. "It's been hard to connect with him. And to top it off, it was his birthday last week, and he didn't want to celebrate it. He looked sad."

"I've noticed. I don't know if he's sad, but he looks tired." She said. "I'm sure he's fine. Just... give him a moment."

"I'm trying." I replied. "But I wanna fix whatever is making him feel like that. I just don't want to make it worse."

"I know." She nodded.

"I need him more than ever." I turned to her. "In two months many things will change. The arrival of a baby is one of the most beautiful things someone can experience, but it is also quite challenging, and I need to know his mind is here."

"If you want my opinion, I think he wants it to be here." She replied.

"That's not enough now." I glanced at him.

"He's a good father." She said.

"He's a great father." I corrected her.

"I know what you're thinking." She grabbed my hand.

"Do you think I'm right?" I asked as I looked down.

"He's not going back to her. He's too smart to get himself there twice." She gave me a lopsided smile. "Why don't you try to have some fun? Go paint a onesie or eat a cupcake."

"I've had a few." I responded.

"A few?" She asked in a funny tone.

"Two of the blue ones... and three of the pink ones." There was a hint of regret in my voice, but she found it funny.

My mother was always the life of the party, and she had become the center of attention while I was talking to Leah. I rolled my eyes fondly at her, but I couldn't help a giggle as I watched her swaying to the rhythm of the music playing in the background, and before long, she was dancing with wild abandon, gesturing for others to join.

As if on cue, Ben's mother jumped in and began to dance with her. Soon, a small group had gathered, clapping and cheering as my mom attempted to teach them a particularly complex dance move.

When the next song started to play, I saw Ben walking to me with his hand extended.

"May I have this dance?" He asked with a smile on his face.

I bit my lip, surprised, hesitating for a moment before finally taking his hand. He pulled me to my feet and led the way to where the joy seemed to be.

It was a rather slow song, so we nestled close against each other. As the music swelled around us, we began to move to the rhythm, losing ourselves in a slow, beautiful beat.

I rested my head on Ben's shoulder, enjoying the feeling of being so close to him. I felt like we were the only two people in the backyard, and in that moment, everything else was just background noise. I closed my eyes, letting myself be swept away by the moment.