Fate || BENNIFER

Heavy Heart

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Recommendation: Listen to Cross Your Mind by Calum Scott.
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Jennifer's P.O.V

I sat at the table, staring absentmindedly while Emme and Max had dinner. It had been two weeks since Ben left, and every day seemed longer than the previous one. I tried to stay busy with work and taking care of the cocos. I knew I couldn't let them see me break down, even though I desperately wanted to. So I put on a brave face and smiled as I made breakfast, helped them get dressed, and took them to school. I played with them, read them stories, and tucked them into bed at night, telling them how much I loved them. But once they were asleep, the loneliness would creep back in. I missed the sound of his laughter, the feel of his arms around me, and the way he made me feel like everything was going to be alright, and that I really needed at that point.

"Mommy! Someone's calling you." Max said loud enough to bring me back.

I glanced at the screen, seeing that it was Ben calling. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I felt tempted to pick up the call, as it wasn't the first time he tried it.

"Who is it?" Emme asked.

"It's no one, baby. Just work." I answered as I turned it on the table. "Are you finished?"

"Yes! Can I have a cookie?" She asked with a naughty smile.

"I want two!" Max jumped out of his chair.

"You can have one." I said, making sure they understood, so they wouldn't get mad later.

I yawned as I entered their bathroom with them. It was time to get them ready for bed. I turned the water on and adjusted the temperature, ensuring it was right for them. I helped them undress, moving slowly and safely, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to do it alone. As I struggled to get them in the bathtub, my discomfort became more apparent.

As I got down on my knees, I winced at the pain that shot through my back. I took a deep breath, taking a moment to regain my composure before continuing.

"Are you okay?" Emme asked with concern.

I nodded, not wanting to worry them.

"Let's finish, okay?" I said, trying to mask my discomfort with a cheerful tone.

My body was aching with all the bending and kneeling, but I pushed through the discomfort and managed to finish bathing them, drying them off, and getting them into their pajamas.

"Your phone is ringing again." Max said coming back to the bathroom to let me know.

"Thank you, baby. Go to bed. I'll be right there." I said with a smile.

I made my way down the hallway towards their room. I could hear the sound of their excited chatter behind the door, and I smiled to myself, knowing that they were eagerly waiting for me. As I opened the door, they sat up in their beds, both reaching out their arms for a hug. When I thought they were ready to sleep, they asked something I didn't expect.

"Where is Ben?" Max asked.

"Is Ben going to read us a story?" Emme asked.

I eased myself down on the edge of Emme's bed, letting out a sigh as I adjusted my position.

"Do you miss him?" I asked caressing her face.

"Yes." They answered.

"Yeah... I miss him too." I said in a low voice.

"I also miss Sera..." Emme added.

I thought I couldn't feel worse, but I could.

"Is he coming?" Max asked.

"No, baby. He's not coming tonight." I explained.

"Tomorrow?" He asked, his face changing to a sadder expression.

I didn't want to break their hearts, it was already hard enough for me, and I didn't want them to experience the loss of a father figure a second time.

"We'll see, okay?" I said and they nodded.

A little conversation and a bedtime story later, I walked out of their bedroom, quietly closing the door behind me.

But my peace was fleeting as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Apart from Ben's missed calls, I saw a notification from Benny, my manager. I knew it couldn't be good news, not at this hour. I hesitated for a moment before opening the Page 6 article he had sent, bracing myself for the worst.

"Bennifer calls it quits: Heartbreak as they end relationship just before welcoming their first child together."

With a heavy heart, I made my way to the living room, feeling overwhelmed. Breathlessly, I walked to the couch, placed my trembling hand on the armrest, and lowered myself down slowly. I couldn't process what I read, it shattered me.