Fate || BENNIFER

What If

Jennifer's P.O.V

I rarely paused in front of physical stores to admire showcase windows, and even less often I ventured into them, not even with my trusted security man by my side. But that day, as I stared at the booties and onesies displayed in the window, they seemed to draw me closer to the glass. I could almost feel the softness against my fingertips.

I glanced at my security man, who stood a few steps away from me, his watchful eyes scanning the surrounding area. I knew he was there to protect me, but in that moment, I felt a sudden urge to step out of my carefully constructed bubble.

I stepped into the store, my bodyguard trailing closely behind me, but I paid no mind to his presence. As I walked through the door, the sight of baby items filling the shelves evoked a mixture of emotions within me.

Just days before, I had been certain that we would be welcoming another baby into our already bustling blended family. The mere idea had weighed heavily on me, as we already had six children under our care. The thought of adding another little one to the mix had left me feeling overwhelmed, doubting our ability to provide each child with the attention they deserved.

The negative result on the pregnancy test had been a relief, and yet, the lingering "what if" feeling stubbornly remained in my mind.

Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly startled by the sound of voices outside the store. The news that I was inside had spread rapidly, attracting a crowd of fans eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of me. It didn't surprise me, as I had become accustomed to such encounters throughout my career.

I stepped outside, the roar of the crowd greeting me. I took a few moments to connect with them, posing for pictures and signing albums. However, my security guard, ever vigilant, noticed the increasing size of the crowd and the potential for chaos. He gently insisted that we make our way back to the safety of the car.

I settled into the leather seat of the Escalade, my body sinking into the comfort it provided. As I stared out the window, my phone buzzed on the seat beside me. Ryan's name flashed on the screen.

"Ryan!" I exclaimed.

"Jennifer, I have some incredible news for you." His voice filled with enthusiasm.

"What is it?" I asked, my brows furrowed in curiosity.

"They want you to come back." He said.

"Wait." I made a short pause. "Is it what I think it is?"

"They want you to come back to American Idol as a judge!" He revealed.

My breath caught in my throat, my mind spinning at the unexpected opportunity. Memories of the previous seasons flooded my thoughts, and then I had to reluctantly decline the offer due to my pregnancy. But now, a year later, the circumstances had changed, and the decision weighed heavily on me.

Silence hung in the air as my mind raced, weighing the pros and cons of returning to the show that was so beneficial for my career. I glanced out the window, my eyes fixated on the passing scenery, lost in my thoughts. My fingers absentmindedly played with the hem of my shirt as I mustered the courage to respond.

"Ryan, this is an amazing opportunity." I said.

"But?" He asked.

"You know, my family requires so much attention right now, and with the new movie just around the corner..." My voice trailed off.

"I understand. Family always comes first." His voice filled with an understanding tone. "Just know that the door is always open for you."

"Thank you, Ryan." I responded. "I truly appreciate the offer. I promise I'll think about it."

The Escalade glided smoothly into the driveway, and I was already opening the door before it had come to a complete stop.

As I stepped into the living room, my eyes searched for Ben. Our gazes met, and a smile effortlessly spread across my face. I walked towards him, my footsteps light and eager. I reached out to him, my hands finding his, and I pulled him into a tender embrace.

But as I leaned in to kiss Ben, something caught my eye. Right behind him, on the blanket spread on the floor, lay Grace. And in a display of spontaneity, she rolled over from her back to her stomach. A gasp escaped my lips as I saw her crawling for the first time.

"Ben." I whispered. "Look!"

He followed my gaze, his eyes widening in surprise. Then, a wide smile spread across his face.

"She's crawling!" My voice filled with awe.

"Looks like it's time to baby-proof the house." He chuckled.

"Right." My laughter filled the room.