HERE COMES FOREVER! ben beast

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The evening unfolded slowly, as the last traces of sunlight faded behind the horizon, leaving behind the velvety embrace of night. A soft chill had begun to settle into the air, but the couple didn't mind, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. The engagement party, a whirlwind of celebration and bright smiles, was now behind them, replaced by the quiet serenity of the secluded clearing they often visited. Here, by the pond, the world outside seemed to fall away entirely, leaving them in their own peaceful universe, far removed from the bustling energy of the city.

The pond lay still, a perfect mirror reflecting the twinkling stars above, each one burning brightly in the vast, ink-black sky. The stars stretched out, a diamond-studded tapestry that seemed to stretch on forever, their glow muted but steady, casting a soft light on the land around them. The air was crisp with the scent of pine and damp earth, a gentle breeze stirring the trees around the clearing. Their leaves rustled softly, a quiet lullaby to accompany the occasional croak of frogs from the water's edge or the distant chirp of crickets. The world was peaceful here, as if it held its breath in reverence for this moment between the two of them. 

It was as if time itself had slowed, acknowledging the weight of their shared experience. The couple had spread out a soft, woven blanket on the grass, a comfortable cocoon beneath them. They lay side by side, legs stretched out on the cool earth, their hands intertwined between them. The night was still, and they were perfectly content, basking in the quiet beauty of the stars and the stillness of the world around them.

Elisa shifts slightly, turning onto her side to face Ben, her gaze lingering on the sky above them. The stars sparkled like little jewels scattered across a velvet backdrop, their light soft but resolute. She could feel the peace of the night seep into her bones, filling her with an unspoken joy. "Can you believe how perfect today was?" Her voice was soft, a gentle exhale of wonder, as if she was trying to absorb every last moment of the day into her soul. 

She ran her fingers through the grass, her touch light, tracing the uneven lines of nature's design. As her fingertips brushed the blades, a subtle shift in the air occurred—something cool, something familiar. A light frost began to form where her fingers had been, delicate crystals blooming at the edges of the grass like fine lacework. The chill spread just enough to catch the light of the stars, their reflections glinting off the tiny ice fragments, creating a glimmering pattern across the ground.

Elisa smiles to herself, feeling the icy sensation under her fingertips. It was second nature to her—this quiet manifestation of her powers, though she'd never quite grown accustomed to the awe it inspired in her. It wasn't a grand display, nothing more than the faintest touch of winter's breath, but in the stillness of the night, it felt magical.  "It's almost too good to be true." She murmurs, glancing back over at him with love. "I keep thinking I'm dreaming. It still hasn't fully sunk in that we're getting married."

Ben turns toward her, his lips curling into a soft, affectionate smile. His eyes sparkled under the stars, and there was a tenderness in his gaze that made her heart flutter. He propped himself up on one arm, his free hand brushing back a lock of hair that had fallen across her face. "I know," He said, his voice warm, with a note of disbelief. "It's almost like we've stepped into some kind of fairytale. Like, how did we get here, Ellie? From the first time we met, to this moment? But we're really doing this. We're getting married. We're going to spend the rest of our lives together, building something incredible."

Elisa's heart swelled with the weight of his words, and she reaches out to gently trace the back of his hand, the simple touch grounding her in this moment of quiet happiness. "I've imagined what this day would feel like a thousand times," She admits softly, her voice laced with awe. Her eyes lingered on his face, the lines of his features soft and familiar in the dim light. "But I could never have imagined it would feel this perfect. I always dreamed of finding someone who could make me feel loved, cherished, and understood, but with you—" Her voice falters slightly, as if the words couldn't fully encapsulate her feelings. "You make everything feel right, Ben. Like I finally found my home."

Ben's breath caught in his throat, a mix of emotion crossing his face. His eyes softened, and he reached out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her skin, as if to memorize the feel of her. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Ellie," He murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "You've given me so much more than I ever thought I could have. You've given me hope, and a future, a real future. I never imagined I'd be this lucky. And now...Now we get to write the rest of our story together. I can't wait to see what we'll build."

A lump formed in Elisa's throat as she looked at him, her eyes shimmering with unspoken words. She takes a deep breath, her hand resting over his heart, feeling the steady rhythm of his pulse. "You've always believed in me," She said, her voice low but steady, full of sincerity. "Even when I couldn't believe in myself. You've made me feel like I'm worthy of all the dreams I had, all the things I thought were out of reach. And now, here we are, and it's better than anything I could've imagined. With you, I feel like I can do anything."

Ben's heart swells at her words, and his chest tightened with a love so deep, so consuming, that it was almost overwhelming. He leans in, his forehead brushing softly against hers as he whispered, "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Ellie. But I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you know how much you mean to me. You're my everything."

Elisa smiles softly, a tear slipping down her cheek, though she didn't try to stop it. It was the kind of tear that spoke of deep love and the overwhelming beauty of the moment. She cups his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing away the tears that had gathered there, her heart full of emotion. "I love you, Ben," She whispers, her voice breaking slightly under the weight of her feelings. "More than I can ever say. You are everything I never knew I needed, and now that I have you, I don't ever want to let go."

Ben's lips curved into a tender smile, his hand sliding to the back of her head, his fingers threading through her hair, gently pulling her closer. His lips met hers in a soft kiss, slow and deep, filled with all the emotion they had just shared, and so much more. The kiss was a promise—quiet, tender, but filled with the weight of everything they had already been through, and everything they were about to face together. It was a kiss that said more than words ever could, full of love and hope for the future they would build.

As they pulled apart, both breathless, they remained close, their foreheads touching, their hearts still racing in unison. The world around them seemed to fade completely, the stars above no longer the only things holding the night together. They were all that mattered, and in that quiet space, with only the soft sounds of the night surrounding them, Elisa felt a deep sense of peace settle within her. This was everything she had ever wanted—and more.

"Thank you," She whispers, her voice soft but full of gratitude. "Thank you for being you. For loving me. For making all of this possible. I never could've done it without you."

Ben smiles, his lips brushing her forehead tenderly. "And I never could've done it without you, Ellie. You are my heart. My soul. Everything."

They lay there for a long time, tangled together, gazing up at the stars, watching the occasional shooting star streak across the sky. The pond reflected the light of the stars, creating an illusion of endless space between them and the universe beyond. In that moment, they both realized something—the journey they had traveled together, with all its challenges and obstacles, had brought them here, to this perfect night, under the stars, with the promise of a future together. The future they had dreamed of was finally within their grasp.

And there, in the quiet of the night, they knew—this was only the beginning.