Author's Note: I've been trying to work on my other story but it's giving me a lot of problems so I decided to update this. This chapter is based on 5x05 "Halloween Surprise", so it will contain spoilers if you haven't seen the episode. Although, if you haven't watched it yet, stop reading fanfiction and go watch it this instant! TRUST ME. Constructive criticism is appreciated but please no flames.
Disclaimer: I do not own Parks and Recreation in any way; I'm just a simple fan.
Chapter Thirty Eight: Decisions
"You're making a mistake," Jennifer scoffed. Her brow was furrowed, skepticism apparent on her face, and she was intently studying him. Ben smiled and shook his head.
"I'm not," he replied.
"If you say so," the brunette said with a toss of her curls. "I mean, I don't understand it. AT ALL. But if you want to throw you're political career away, it's your choice."
"I don't really expect you to understand, but trust me; I know what I'm doing." The small box felt heavy in his pocket, but the reassuring weight felt good. Ben had made a lot of mistakes in his life, some small and some catastrophic, but the one thing in his life he was absolutely certain of was Leslie Knope. God help him, but he was hopelessly devoted to that crazy blonde.
"You're going to be stuck in Pawnee," Jen said plainly. He couldn't tell if she was mocking him or just stating a fact. "You're never going to advance in politics, not seriously at least. You'll be stuck as a mid level bureaucrat for the rest of your life, which is a shame, because you're good. Like, you're almost as good as I am. You could do this and affect serious change, Ben Wyatt. " He could hear the utter sincerity in her voice and for a moment he imagined that he was free to accept her offer. It had been a dream of his, for so long now, and it was bittersweet to turn it down.
"Thanks," Ben answered sincerely. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, I really do. But I will be perfectly happy as a mid level bureaucrat if that means I get to spend the rest of my life with Leslie." A stream of images flashed before his eyes, bright smiles and whipped cream kisses, a tiny girl with blue eyes and golden hair, he and Leslie growing old together, and it made his chest ache with pleasure.
"Stop, you're going to make me vomit," the woman cringed. "Just go, enjoy Pawnee." Jen waved her hands in dismissal and Ben awkwardly headed towards the door until she stopped him.
"I suppose if you're going to toss aside your dreams for someone, Leslie isn't a bad choice," Jen conceded. She paused, searching for the right words, but settled on, "Good luck with everything."
"Goodbye Jennifer," Ben said and he exited the office without any regrets.
Thanks for reading! Please review! The last couple of chapters have been focused on Ben so originally I wanted to do something from Leslie's perspective, but COME ON. After this, I knew I had to write about Ben deciding to propose! Speaking of….
YOU GUYS! THAT PROPOSAL! I swear to God my heart burst! It was so perfect and cute and lovely and awkward and awesome! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Will we get a wedding by the end of this season? Yes please? What did you guys think of it?