Fate || BENNIFER

Sorry

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Recommendation: Listen to What Are Words by Chris Medina.
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Ben's P.O.V

Nicholas Dunne, the main character of my new movie, Gone Girl, was one of my favorites to play so far. This character's psychological elements allowed me to portray him as a flawed, yet relatable human. His character embodied many anxieties and struggles that took me to reflect on my own. I was still reeling from the shock of it all. I missed her so much. I tried to keep my mind busy with work, but I often found myself lost in thoughts of her, and realizing that maybe I had taken her for granted.

The cameras were rolling, the crew was set, and the director's call of action echoed in the open space. As I delivered my lines with precision, I heard the sound of my phone ringing. My heart sank as I realized that I had forgotten to put it on silent mode. I tried my best to stay in character, but I could feel my concentration slipping away.

"Cut!" The director called out.

I stepped away from the set to answer the call, but I couldn't find my phone, so I had someone find it for me while I went back to my position. The director wanted to get the shot done quickly, making the cast and crew move into high gear to finish the scene. As soon as the director called out the final "cut", I turned to me assistant, asking if it was an emergency. He nodded and handed me my phone. It was a call from Jennifer, the third within five minutes.

"Jennifer?" My heart raced.

"It's Leah."

"Leah? It's almost 5 a.m." I didn't expect her to call me from Jennifer's phone, especially at this hour. "Is Jennifer okay?"

"She's in labor." Leah said with a calm voice.

My heart skipped a beat as I tried to process the news. I knew she was due in a month, so I had no idea that she would go into labor early.

"How is she?" I tried to steady my voice.

"She's doing great." She said. "But you should come now. She needs you."

"Okay, I'm coming." I replied.

"Drive safely." She added before hanging up.

I sprinted off the set as my heart raced with anticipation. I was about half an hour away from her and there was no time to lose. I ran to my dressing room, threw my backpack over my shoulder, and grabbed my car keys before rushing to the car. I didn't waste a second with explanations, as almost everyone there knew what my rush was about.

My hands were white-knuckled on the steering wheel as I drove as fast as I could legally manage. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my body, a rush so sharp that it made me feel alive. It was hard to focus on anything else but getting to her side as soon as possible.

As I pulled into the driveway, my pounding heart was nearly deafening. When I walked through the front door, I saw that my presence had gone unnoticed. Jennifer was bent forward, her hands firmly gripping the armrest of the couch, and her eyes scrunched up as she breathed through what seemed like a very painful contraction. Leah was hovering next to her, trying to offer comfort.

Without hesitation, I walked up to her and placed my hand on her back, rubbing up and down in an attempt to ease her discomfort. As she turned, I gently pulled her towards me, my arms under hers, supporting her weight. Her eyes became teary when they met mine.

"Don't say anything, just breathe." I whispered by her ear.

I felt her lean against me, grateful for the support. I could see the pain etched on her face, and my heart went out to her. I wanted nothing more than to take her pain away, but I knew that I couldn't.

"I'm sorry." She said as the pain seemed to subside.

"You were sleeping when my lawyer told me to go to court. I didn't think my phone would die, and I didn't know it would take so long." I explained. "I never wanted to miss the ultrasound."

"Ben, stop." She cupped my face with her hands. "I know everything. Leah told me."

I had never minded putting myself in a vulnerable position with her. In fact, I couldn't imagine not doing so. I knew that I was lucky to have found someone who accepted me for who I was, who never expected me to be anything other than myself. Having come together to the conclusion that it had all been a misunderstanding and lack of communication was a huge relief. Considering the importance of the moment we were living, I couldn't be more grateful to be back by her side.