Fate || BENNIFER

I'm Here

Jennifer's P.O.V

The news had already spread like wildfire across all the media channels, and everyone was eagerly waiting for the arrival of our baby. The paparazzi had gathered outside the hospital, and fans had been sending their love messages.

Ben had helped me into a gown, carefully tucking the fabric behind my back and adjusting the ties. The nurse didn't bring the best news, and it was a short visit as she told us I was only at three centimeters dilation and that meant I still had some hours of labor to go through.

"Do you want any drugs or painkillers?" His face told me he was really suffering for me.

"No." I shook my head.

"Are you sure?" The concern was still evident in his tone. "Because I'll run out there and I won't come back without them."

"I can do it without them." I said with determination. Though I knew I would end up regretting that choice.

We fell into silence, the sound of my breathing filling the room. His eyes never left mine.

"What?" I smiled.

"I've always admired how brave you are." He replied with a warm expression on his face.

Suddenly, my expression shifted. I let out a long exhale followed by a sharp wince.

"I wish I could help. I'm sorry." He regretted.

"You should be." I chuckled weakly. "You did this to me. This is your fault!"

"Yeah... you're right." He said with a smirk on his lips.

He wrapped his arms around me tightly and kissed the top of my head. I relaxed into his embrace, soaking up the comfort and security he provided.

I gently eased myself off the bed and onto a birth ball with Ben's help. I found a comfortable position leaning my back on his chest as he sat behind me on the bed. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. As I inhaled and exhaled, his breathing mimicked mine, and as I rocked back and forth soothingly to cope with the intense pain, he followed my rhythm, moving with me.

I closed my eyes as another contraction started, my body automatically moving in response to ease the pain. I rested my head on his chest, my arms supported by him as he planted gentle kisses on my temple. I felt connected to Ben in a way I had never felt before, both physically and emotionally.

While I was pacing around the room, Ben sat on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

"You've got some messages from your fans." He said holding up his phone to me.

I didn't know how I felt about the world knowing about this intimate moment, but seeing that it made Ben smile meant it couldn't be bad. Maybe he just wanted to cheer me up.

"What do they say?" I asked.

"Someone says that they're sure our baby is going to be beautiful because their parents are so good looking." He chuckled. "This one's funny."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"This one says that strength and bravery run through your veins." He read. "It's from a nurse. She wishes you all the best."

"That's a nice message." And it made me smile.

I got to walk around for a while before a nurse appeared. She placed a blood pressure cuff around my arm, then she moved on to placing the baby's heart rate monitor, and finished by attaching the contraction monitors.

"Remember the breathing techniques." He said in a soothing, low voice.

"They don't work!" I whined.

"Do you wanna lie on your side?" He asked and I nodded. "Let me help you."

He leaned over me carefully, gently helping me to shift my weight onto my side. He remained close, showing me his support in the best way that he knew, through physical touch.

It was a long process, and during the long hours we experienced a range of emotions. There were moments of pain and frustration, but there were also moments of maturity and joy.

"It hurts a lot..." I whined.

"I know, baby." He leaned down toward me, pressing his face into my neck. "Do you need water?"

A knock at the door interrupted before I could answer. We hadn't seen my doctor in hours, so his presence, even if it didn't mean anything, made us feel a little anxious.

"How are we holding up?" He asked, and I groaned in response.

He sat in front of me, his face a mask of concentration as he checked my progress.

"You're doing great. Your cervix is fully dilated, and the baby is in the correct position. You're ready to push." He said in a cheerful tone.

I cast my eyes to the ceiling of the room and took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The nurses came bustling into the room, working to adjust the equipment and prepare for the imminent arrival of the baby. I watched them work, feeling as though everything was out of my control.

"Ben." I said with a shaky voice.

He lifted his gaze to meet mine and our eyes locked.

"I'm here." He said, gently squeezing my hand in reassurance.

My grip on his hand tightened, afraid he would let go of it.

"Please don't let go." I whispered, my voice fragile and barely audible.

"Never." He promised, holding my hand tightly.

As the nurses continued to prepare, I focused on Ben's face. I squeezed his hand tightly with my own, feeling our palms' dampness from the sweat. He had been an unwavering source of support throughout the process, and I knew he would be there until the end. I felt his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand, he was smiling, and despite the pain I felt, I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"You got this, little."