Fate || BENNIFER

The Storm

Jennifer's P.O.V

The room was dimly lit as we lied in bed side by side, our naked bodies intertwined. Raindrops danced fervently against the window. It was the day that would have marked the beginning of our marriage, had it not been for the tumultuous currents of fame that swirled around us. In an alternate reality, one where our wedding ceremony would've remained untouched by the sway of the media, we would have been drenched in the rain.

My fingers traced tender paths across Ben's silken skin, mapping the contours of his chest. The storm of the century raged outside, casting bolts of lightning in the early morning sky, as if nature itself knew what we were feeling.

Memories flooded my mind. I couldn't help but be transported back to that fateful night when I told Ben that I was pregnant with his baby. The storm that raged that night was eerily similar to the one brewing outside the window. The crashing thunder and blinding lightning seemed to mirror the tempestuous emotions that had stirred within us that night.

I vividly remembered the way I had felt that very same night, as it had become a core memory in my life. I was overwhelmed with uncertainty, and so was Ben. No decisions had been made on what our future would look like, and the fear of embarking on an unexpected journey of parenthood together, for the first time, and after so long, felt daunting.

And now, as the storm raged on our would-be wedding day, it served as a poignant reminder of the trials we had faced together. Life had thrown us many curveballs, forcing us to put our dreams on hold. I couldn't help but wonder if fate had conspired against us, or if it was simply testing the strength of our love.

Our lips met in a lingering kiss, my body still tingling with the remaining sensations of the passionate encounter we had shared earlier. Fingers trailed gently over familiar curves, exploring every inch with tender caresses. Ben's touch was artful and gentle. As the caresses deepened, our touches ventured beyond the ordinary to more intimate places, clearly yearning for a second round.

Our bodies remained intertwined, barely moving. Our breaths quickened, synchronizing. Our kisses were tender yet filled with an underlying hunger. This second time, our movements were slow, and not at all rushed, as we explored each other's bodies with tender strokes. Ben, ever the gentle lover, traced his lips along the nape of my neck, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

We barely moved from the spot. Ben's rhythm was gentle, sensually slow, as he reached me from behind.

The children were presumably still asleep, but they were early risers. Mindful of this, I stifled sounds of pleasure, my gasps and moans muffled against the softness of the pillow. Each breath was a desperate attempt to contain the rising tide of ecstasy that threatened to overflow. In the room, bathed in a soft glow, completely illuminated only by occasional flashes of lightning, our bodies moved as one.

To our surprise, we could go for yet a third round before the responsibilities of the day took hold. Sam and Grace, who now shared a room, were frightened by the booming thunder outside, and the sound of their crying was what brought us back from our own world.

Reluctantly, Ben and I disentangled ourselves from each other's embrace and reached for our clothes. As we dressed, we exchanged glances.

We made our way to their room, our footsteps echoing in the hallway. But as we opened the door, we were greeted by a sight that surprised us. The rest of the kids were already awake and playing together in the same room, their laughter now filling the air, their innocent mischief causing a mess.

But suddenly, the lights flickered for a moment, casting an eerie glow across the room, before plunging us into darkness. In the early hours of the morning, with the storm raging outside and the sky painted in shades of grey, there was a total absence of light. The darkness seemed to amplify Sam and Grace's distress, their cries growing louder.

The last image I got to see before the power outage appeared in my mind like a beacon in the darkness. Ben, our children, my family. And in a brief moment of reflection, I wondered, had I ever been happier? Could it really be that I had it all? What if that night at the Golden Globes, something, the slightest thing, had been different? If fate had played its cards differently, would this be my life now?

My eyes strained to adjust to the darkness, searching for any sign of familiarity, but found none.

"Jen?"

"Ben?"

TO BE CONTINUED...