Fate || BENNIFER

Bittersweet

Ben's P.O.V

It was a typical morning at home for us. The sun's golden rays cast a warm glow in the living room, laughter echoed through the hallways as Emme and Max seemed to be playing hide and seek while their mother tried to help them dress up for school. I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as I beheld the scene. Little did we know that our idyllic morning was about to be shattered.

The doorbell rang, jolting me out of my reverie. I glanced at Jennifer, who was occupied with fastening Max's shoelaces.

"I'll get it." I said as I made my way towards the front door.

Opening the door, my cheerful expression quickly turned into one of surprise and disbelief. Standing before me was Marc, Jennifer's ex-husband and the father of her twins.

"Jen, it's for you." I called out, my voice tinged with unease.

Jennifer's P.O.V

Perplexed by Ben's unusual tone, I hurriedly finished dressing Emme. I made my way to the door, my heart racing with a mix of confusion and apprehension. As I approached, Mark's eyes met mine, and I could see a hint of remorse in his gaze.

"It's okay." I assured Ben, my voice barely above a whisper.

Reluctantly, Ben left us alone. Marc cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the silence that hung heavily in the air.

"Jen, I know this is unexpected, but I wanted to spend some time with Max and Emme today. I thought I could take them to school." He explained, his voice filled with a mix of sincerity and uncertainty.

My mind raced, unsure of how to respond, unable to ignore the unpleasant thoughts that caused my heart to ache. I had fought hard to protect my children from the chaos that had defined my marriage with Marc, and now, faced with this unexpected appearance after almost a year, doubt clouded my judgment.

"I... I don't know, Marc." I stammered. "Can you give me a moment?"

"Of course." He nodded.

I turned and walked back into the living room, my mind whirling with conflicting emotions. Max, sensing my unease, clung to my arm, his innocent eyes searching for answers. Emme, on the other hand, approached her father hesitantly. I knelt down, my eyes meeting theirs.

"Dad wants to take you to school today." I explained gently, my voice laced with uncertainty.

Max's grip tightened, a mix of confusion and fear evident on his face. My heart ached at the realization that my children were torn between the familiar comfort of their mother and the presence of their father, who had been absent for so long. I glanced at Emme, who stood silently beside Mark, her eyes mirroring her brother's unease.

"Okay." I said addressing Marc.

My heart sank, torn between my desire to protect them and the understanding that forging a relationship with their father could be beneficial for them.

"Let's get your backpacks, and you can go with dad today." My voice filled with hesitation.

As the twins reluctantly went to retrieve their backpacks, I couldn't help but wonder how this unexpected reunion would shape our lives.

"Ben will pick you up after school." I said, and a glimmer of happiness broke through their faces.

As they walked out the door, I turned around to seek comfort in Ben. He understood the complexity of co-parenting with a person who didn't always make the best choices, and the weight that I carried on my shoulders.

"I know this isn't easy for you." Ben whispered as he wrapped his arms around me. "But I'll always be here for you and the kids."

I leaned into his embrace, finding solace in his words. I had made the difficult choice to let their father back into our lives, for the sake of Emme and Max. It was a bittersweet decision, one that left my heart heavy with uncertainty.

"You're doing an amazing job." He kissed the top of my head before I broke our hug.

"Ben, during my call with Marc a few weeks ago, he told me that he wanted to be part of their lives. He said he wanted to spend time with them and that he would even consider moving to California." I said as I looked into his eyes. "I don't know if I'm ready. I don't know if I'm ready to restore our custody agreement... or if they are."

"Jennifer." He said as he reached out to take my hands. "You have every right to say no. You are the one who's been there, who knows what's best for your children. Your feelings and instincts matter."

He squeezed my hands gently, his eyes unwavering in their support. He then smiled tenderly at me.

"I fall in love with you every day because of the incredible person and mother you are. I trust your judgement, and I know that whatever decision you make will be in the best interest of your children." He said as he brought me into his arms.

"I love you." I whispered.

A faint cry withdrew our minds from the situation, Grace was awake. Ben and I exchanged a glance, and our hands intertwined as we made our way upstairs.

As we entered the nursery, her cries grew louder, but we remained calm and approached the crib together. Ben took the initiative, gently picking up Grace and cradling her in his arms. His voice, usually deep and strong, softened as he began to hum a soft lullaby. Her cries slowly diminished, and I couldn't resist joining in. I surrounded him with my arm, the weight of my head resting gently on his shoulder. Our eyes met, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still.