Fate || BENNIFER

To Us

Ben's P.O.V

Our engagement party on New Year's Eve was a spectacle to behold. Despite the initial reservations about throwing a party on such a significant date, the decision turned out to be a stroke of genius. The atmosphere was electric, with the DJ spinning lively tunes that had everyone on their feet, dancing and laughing the night away.

As the clock ticked closer to the new year, about fifteen minutes before the stroke of midnight, I took center stage, signaling the DJ to lower the music. The room fell silent as I raised my glass, ready to make a toast.

"Thank y'all for coming and celebrating with us on this very special New Year's Eve." I began.

I spotted Jennifer in the crowd, a smile playing on my face.

"I just want to take a moment to thank my amazing fiancée, Jennifer, for saying 'yes' to a lifetime of this." I gestured to myself playfully.

Laughter rippled through the room, and Jennifer covered her face with her hand.

"For agreeing to put up with me for eternity." I continued. "Your presence back in my life has brought me more happiness and fulfillment than I could've ever dreamed of. Baby, I love you. The coming year holds so much for us."

I raised my glass high, and the room followed suit.

"To us and our family." I declared. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Cheers! And happy new year!"

As the cheers and applause slowly subsided, I scanned the room, my eyes searching for Jennifer. I spotted her standing near the back, a radiant smile on her face as she clapped along with the rest of the crowd. I made my way towards her, the distance between us closing with each quick step.

When I finally reached her, our lips met even before our bodies had the chance to touch, the world around us fading away for a brief little moment. But our bubble was soon burst when Matt appeared beside us.

"Can I steal him for a minute?" He asked, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Mmm sure." She replied glancing at me.

"He'll be back before midnight." Matt assured.

"Okay... thirteen minutes." She pointed out, a reminder of the time quickly ticking away towards the new year.

"I'll be here on time." I promised, giving her one last kiss before tearing myself away.

I followed Matt out to the garden, the chill of the New Year's Eve night nipping at my skin. Despite the cold, there were still a few brave souls in the pool, their splashing audible from where we were standing.

"What is it?" I asked, my breath forming wispy clouds in the air.

"I had to warn you about some pictures that have been circulating everywhere since this morning." He replied.

"They're already out?" My voice tinged with concern. "Are they bad?"

"You tell me." He said pulling out his phone and showing me the pictures.

My heart sank as I saw the images, her body language with me appearing far more intimate than I remembered. The headline of the article only added fuel to the fire, reading, 'Ben Affleck's Loving Encounter with Ex-Wife Sparks Controversy - Sources Say Actor Appears Angered by Discovery'.

"Of course I was angry! It was all staged." I exclaimed, frustration evident in my voice.

"She called the paparazzi?" His jaw fell open, feigning surprise.

"I don't know." I replied. "But she knew they were there. They were behind me. Her behavior completely changed when she saw them."

"You should tell Jennifer." He suggested.

"I know." I said with a heavy sigh, my thoughts already turning towards the difficult conversation that lay ahead.

The throng of people around me seemed to ignore my struggle to push my way through them, as they all eagerly awaited the arrival of the new year. Jen turned around just as I reached her, and I wasted no time.

"There's something I need to tell you." I said.

"Is it about the pictures?" She asked.

"You know?" I asked surprised, wondering how she had found out.

"Benny showed them to me this morning." She revealed.

"You're not mad?" I asked, relieved to see that she seemed to be handling the situation well.

"We're okay." She reassured me, a small smile playing on her lips.

"How much did you drink?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't." She said.

"And what's that in your hand?" I said noticing something that looked like a margarita.

"Okay, maybe a little." She admitted. "But I mean it." She continued. "She's never played fair. We both know that. She won't make me doubt you ever again. And... when you say 'I do', you'll be mine."

I chuckled softly, the tension easing from my shoulders before the countdown to the new year began, the room buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

"10... 9..." The crowd chanted. We held onto each other, our gazes locked as the seconds ticked by.

"8... 7..." I kissed the top of her head.

"6... 5..." We stood oblivious to everything but each other.

"4... 3..." Our smiles mirrored each other's.

"2... 1..." As the room erupted in a chorus of "Happy New Year!" Our surroundings seemed to fade into the background, leaving us in our own little world.

With the final countdown complete, Jen and I leaned towards each other, our lips meeting in a tender and heartfelt kiss.