Ciara walked into the loft and Ben was so drawn into whatever he was watching on TV that he didn't hear her. Ciara placed her purse on the island, "Ben?" Ben still didn't register Ciara's presence.

Ciara walked right up to Ben and gently placed a hand on Ben's shoulder, "Ben?" Ben's eyes darted from the TV screen to Ciara's belly. Ben pointed to Ciara's stomach, "There's, uh, there's just one in there, right?" Ciara furrowed her eyebrows at Ben in confusion and grabbed the remote off of the coffee table and muted the TV.

Ciara let out a light chuckle, "'Kay, what in God's name are you watching?" Ben closed his eyes and sighed for a moment, "Jus-just this show 'OutDaughtered'. This couple had FIVE babies at once. FIVE! I'm excited to be a dad but I couldn't imagine that many at once."

Ciara sat down on the couch next to Ben and took one of Ben's hands and rested it on her belly as she leaned back. "There is ONE baby in here Ben, ONE. You're not Superman, no matter how cute you may look in your Clark Kent glasses." Ben chuckled slightly under his breath as Ciara continued, "You only put ONE baby in me, Ben." Ben let out a breath of relief, "I-I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to MAYBE get to five one day, but not like this, not at once." Ciara chuckled, "Yeah, me neither. This body is pushing out ONE baby at a time. That is IT. And a full of drugs delivery at that." Ciara chuckled slightly, "I-I give women props that do the whole natural thing, but I want to be numb from the waist down when I'm pushing this baby out."

Ben leaned toward Ciara, "I love you Ciara." Ben kissed Ciara on the lips and dipped his head down to Ciara's bump and rubbed it, "And I love YOU." Ciara held Ben's head as he placed a kiss on her belly. Ciara smiled at Ben.

Ben picked his head back up at starting kissing his way up Ciara's body, kissing up her abdomen, in-between her breasts, and up to her neck. Ben lifted his head and rested his against Ciara's for a moment. Ben was about to slip his tongue into Ciara's mouth when she pushed him back and covered her mouth. "I have to go throw up." Ciara jumped off the couch and made a b-line for the bathroom.

Ben chuckled and called out, "A simple 'Ben, I'm not in the mood' would've sufficed." Ben rubbed his hands on his pants as he stood up.

Ben walked into the bathroom seeing Ciara riding the porcelain bus. Ben sat on the floor behind Ciara rubbing her back. Ben chuckled, "Y'know next time, a simple 'not now, Ben' would get the message across." Ciara groaned as she reached up to flush the toilet. Ciara leaned back against Ben's leg, Ben wrapped an arm around Ciara's bump and kissed her forehead. Ciara abruptly stood up, "Don't, I smell like throw up. Clam chowder doesn't smell so good the second time."

Ciara stood up and walked over to the sink. She rinsed her mouth out in the sink and Ben stood behind her resting his chin in between her neck and shoulder. Ben lowered his head and kissed where his chin had been. "You're so beautiful." Ciara chuckled disbelievingly as she grabbed a towel, "Yeah, pukey, snotty, hair everywhere is real attractive."

Ben spun Ciara to face him. "Baby, do you know how attractive what is happening is?" Ciara arched an eyebrow and sarcastically said, "Yeah, I'm really hot right now." Ben snaked an arm around Ciara, "Let me tell you what I see when I look at you. How I see it, all of this is a constant reminder that you are growing our child. The flutters, that's our bobcat baby starting to kick. And I know it's not happening to me but you getting bigger is just showing that our baby is getting bigger and growing properly. I hate that you are still going through bouts of morning sickness but baby I promise you, it will all be worth it when we get to hold our baby."

Ciara wrapped her arms around Ben's neck and sighed, "I know. I know you're right." Ciara rubbed her bump softly, "I love our baby and I can't wait to hold him or her but… but at the same time, I hate what is happening to me. I'm nauseous or hungry, sometimes both at the same time." Ben chuckled and kissed Ciara's cheek.

Ciara grasped Ben's neck and gasped, "Ben." Ciara collapsed to the floor unconscious. Ben held Ciara's neck as she fell, "CIARA!" Ben rested one hand on Ciara's cheek and the other on her bump, "I can't lose you." Ben rubbed his thumb over her six-month bump, "Either of you."

Ben paced nervously with his hands on the back of his neck. It had felt like hours since Sarah took Ciara back to be examined. Sarah walked out of the exam room and Ben made a b-line for her so fast he almost knocked her over.

Sarah grabbed Ben by the shoulders, "Whoa Daddy." Ben's shoulders dropped, "How is she? How are they?" Sarah pressed her lips together and took Ben off to the side, "You did the right thing bringing Ciara here."

Tears welled in Ben's eyes, "Wha-what does that mean?" Sarah opened her folder, "Ciara was severely dehydrated. She was starting to contract because her body was in distress." Ben's eyes widened, "And now?" "She's got an IV of fluids and the fetal monitor shows a strong heartbeat and no more contractions." Ben sighed relieved, "So I can take her home?"

Sarah sucked in her teeth, "I'd like to keep her overnight, for observation. Just to make sure the contractions don't start up again." Ben nodded, "Yeah, okay. I couldn't take it if I lost either of them." Sarah pointed to the door, "You're welcome to go in there." Ben smiled, "Thanks Sarah."

Ben walked into Ciara's room who had dozed off. Ben walked up to Ciara and kissed her head before sitting on the exam chair. "You gave me quite the scare there." Ben leaned down and kissed Ciara's belly, "Both of you."

Ciara sleepily opened her eyes and rubbed her belly with one hand and pointed to the monitor with the other. "Well, we're fine Ozark." Ben shook his head and sighed, "When you collapsed like that, I've never been so scared. Ci, I-I can't imagine my life without both of you." Ciara interlocked her fingers with Ben's, "Well that's good, because you're stuck with us." Ciara held Ben by the back of his neck, "Mama, Daddy, and baby makes three."

Ben smiled and leaned down resting his ear on Ciara's belly. Ciara ran a hand through Ben's hair. Ben picked his head up after several beats, "How are you feeling now? I-I know Sarah wanted to keep you for observation but how's the nausea?" Ciara smiled, "Gone. Thankfully." Ben nodded, "Do you want something to eat? I could run to the Pub or get Chinese or maybe you should stick to chicken soup and those saltine Goldfish?" Ciara smiled, "Babe, babe, breathe. Take a breath. I am fine and so is the baby."

Ben took Ciara's hand and rubbed the outside of her hand with his thumb, "I just want to take care of you." Ciara sat up, "Ben, you already are the best baby daddy." Ben grimaced and stood up. Ciara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion at Ben, "What's wrong?" Ben sighed, "I-I just hate that word 'baby daddy', i-it just sounds like all I am is some deadbeat dude who got you pregnant." Ciara sighed and reached her arm out. Ben walked back over to Ciara and sat on the edge of her bed.

Ciara rested their interlocked fingers over her belly, "Yes Ben, you are the father of this baby, but you're so much more than that." Ben smiled and leaned forward, "Oh yeah?" Ciara smiled back, "Oh yes. You are my boyfriend, the man that I love more than life itself. The man that I am convinced I was always destined to be with, and my soulmate, something I didn't really believe in that before you. So yeah Ben, technically speaking you are my baby daddy but you are anything but deadbeat. You are already so dedicated to me and our little Cinabun."

Ben chuckled, "Cinabun? That's what you call our baby?" Ciara chuckled, "Early on, when I was constantly nauseous, Cinnamon rolls were the one thing that still sounded good even given how sweet they are. Clearly our baby is a fan too so until we choose a name, I thought Cinabun would work."

Ben chuckled, "Well in that case, I love you and our little Cinabun." Ben kissed Ciara once and pulled back, "You want a Cinabun don't you?" Ciara smiled and nodded, "I REALLY really do." Ben smiled and stood up, "Then a run to Cinnabon I shall make." Ben bowed dramatically and headed for the door. Ciara smiled as Ben walked out, "Love you!" Ben turned back, "Love you too, both of you. Ben shut the door and Ciara looked down smiling at her belly, "We hit the jackpot with your daddy, huh?" Ciara rubbed her belly lightly.

Sarah wheeled an ultrasound machine in and found the parents-to-be eating cinnamon rolls. Sarah smiled, "Looks like someone's enjoying a craving." Ciara had a mouthful of cinnamon roll and smiled, "Yep. I got the best baby daddy-father to my baby that there is." Ciara smiled and winked at Ben. Ben chuckled lightly under his breath.

Sarah put the machine next to Ciara, "Well, how would you guys like to see the little one? Everything seems stable but I know some parents would rather see for themselves." Ciara and Ben looked at each other and nodded instantaneously. Ciara licked her fingers and laid back. Ciara pulled her gown up and Sarah squeezed the blue gel onto her stomach. Sarah pressed the wand to Ciara's stomach.

Ciara took Ben's hand and waited nervously. After a moment, the heartbeat filled the room. Ben sighed, "I love that sound. I thought Ciara's laugh was my favorite sound in the world but I think this just might top it. Maybe." Ciara and Ben smiled at each other and Sarah turned the screen so the parents-to-be could see. "And… here… is your baby."

Ben stood up and took a step closer to Sarah still holding onto Ciara's hand. Ben watched in amazement as he watched his baby swish back and forth inside Ciara. Ben looked over to Ciara and back to the screen. "That's amazing." Sarah pressed a couple of buttons and the ultrasound turned 3D. Ben laughed in amazement. Ben shook his head, "I-it's one thing to feel him or her move or just know they're in there but it's-" "It's another to actually see what your baby looks like? Know what it looks like before it's even born?" Sarah finished. Ben nodded.

Ciara cranked her neck, "She has your nose." Ben chuckled, "Yeah, I guess so. Poor thing." Ciara swatted Ben's arm playfully, "I love that nose." Ben leaned down and kissed Ciara's forehead, "I have no doubt our baby's gonna get a ton of things from Mama."

Sarah smiled, "Ciara, did you just say 'She'? You know you're having a girl?" Ciara shook her head, "No. Just an instinct. Ben's meant to be a girl dad." Ciara kissed Ben's hand and he chuckled. Sarah moved the wand further, "We can determine the gender if you want?" Ciara looked at Ben for a moment and shook her head at her cousin, "No, we wanna be surprised." Ben chuckled, "More like Ciara wants to be surprised and whatever my baby wants, my baby gets." Ben leaned down and kissed the side of Ciara's head.

Ciara chuckled, "See what I mean? He's meant to be a girl dad and be so so SO wrapped around our daughter's finger." Sarah turned the machine off and handed Ciara paper towel to wipe the gel off. Ciara sat up and folded her legs on the bed and Sarah handed each of them a photo. Sarah backed the machine out of the room and Ben sat down on the bed next to Ciara.

Ciara rested her head on Ben's shoulder. Ben moved a hand to Ciara's growing belly, "Our baby." Ciara picked her head up and caressed Ben's cheek, "Our baby."

Ciara walked into the loft carrying a package. Ben who was sitting on the couch looked up from the TV, "Need some help?" Ciara shook her head and chuckled slightly, "Ben I'm pregnant, not disabled. I am more than capable of carrying this."

Ben stood up and walked over to the island, "What is this?" Ciara shrugged her shoulders slightly, "I'm not sure, it's from my sister in London." Ben tensed slightly, "The one that your mom wanted to send you to live with?" Ciara nodded slightly. Ciara placed the package on the island and caressed Ben's cheek, "Hey, when I told Chelsea, she was THRILLED about being an Auntie." Ciara chuckled, "The last time I spoke to her, she said she's already getting t-shirts with 'Auntie Chels' on it." Ben smiled slightly.

Ciara opened the package and pulled out a book. Ben looked at the book in Ciara's hands, "She sent 'The Bump's British Baby Names'? Chelsea DOES understand that this is an American baby, right?" Ciara chuckled and gently hit Ben with the book, "Oh hush, I think it's sweet. We have been having some trouble finding a name we BOTH love." Ben nodded, "Well, that WOULD be easier if SOMEONE would find out the sex." Ciara rolled her eyes, "So I want to be surprised. Is that such a bad thing?" Ben's eyes widened ever so slightly, "Given our history? Maybe."

Ciara sat down on the couch and opened the book and Ben joined her. Ciara laid her legs over Ben's. Chelsea had written a note: 'Dear Ciara and Ben, Hopefully this book will help you guys choose a baby name. And remember Aunt Chelsea sent this and was responsible for your name. Love you.' Ciara chuckled slightly at her sister.

Ciara sighed deeply, "Let's see." Ciara flipped through the book, "Bentley?" Ben shook his head, "Babe, we're having a baby, not a car. Our child's going to have enough issues with kids because of who his father is, do we REALLY want to give him a 'Hollywood' name?" Ciara chuckled and Ben flipped to another page, "Mason?" Ciara shook her head, "Like the profession? No, now THAT will get our kid's ass whupped on the playground. FAR worse than Bentley."

Ciara flipped the page, "What about Victoria?" Ben shook his head, "Sounds too 'royal'." Ciara chuckled, "You HONESTLY think if we have a girl, she's not going to be your little princess and be wrapped around your finger?" Ben kissed Ciara's cheek, "Oh I'm sure of it, her mama already is." Ciara smiled at Ben and he continued, "But why start it with a name that has a connotation of royalty?" "So I'm guess Sarah is out? That means 'little princess'." Ben nodded, "Yeah, we don't want our daughter knowing she had us wrapped around her finger before she was even born."

Ciara smiled at Ben and shut the book, "What about Alice for a middle name if we have a girl? That's my mom's middle name and mine. I-if it's okay with you, I'd like to keep the tradition." Ben nodded, "Of course it's okay. She'll always carry a piece of her great… great-grandmother?"

Ciara nodded, "Yeah. Okay, so we've got a middle name for a girl, but no first name and neither for a boy." Ben sighed, "Maybe when we see the baby, the right name will just come to us?" Ciara chuckled in disbelief, "And if not, what are we going to call our son 'Baby Boy Weston' for the rest of his life?" Ben chuckled, "Well, it certainly WOULD be unique."

Ben's face fell after a moment and Ciara saw it right away. Ciara caressed Ben's cheek, "Hey, where'd you go?" Ben sighed heavily not looking at Ciara, "Ma-maybe we should name the baby just 'Brady', no 'Weston'." Ciara furrowed her eyebrows, "Y-you don't want the baby to have your name?" Ben shook his head, "No, it's not that. I-I just-" Ben sighed, "The name 'Weston' carries so much darkness an-and pain. I don't want our child to be constantly reminded of that."

Ciara sat up and gripped Ben's cheek tightly forcing him to look at her. Tears glistened Ciara's eyes, "Ben, look at me. I am so proud of you and the man you have become." Ben tried to look away but Ciara's grip only tightened, "Ben, I love you and I want our baby to have your name too. This isn't just MY baby. He or she is OUR baby. We made him or her together. He or she is equal parts you and me regardless of what last name we give."

Ben smiled slightly, "You really want the baby to have my name?" Ciara nodded, "Yes Ben. One day… one day we will all share the same name." Ben couldn't help but smile getting what Ciara was implying.

Ciara sighed gripping the closed book tightly, "What about 'Carla' for a first name?" Ben's eyes widened in shock and then glistened with tears, "After my mom?" Ciara nodded slightly, "Yeah, I-I looked it up and Carla means 'one who possesses strength'. I thought it would be an appropriate name for our daughter and a nice way to honor your mom since she won't get to meet her granddaughter. Bu-but if it would be too painful to hear that name all the time-" Ben cut Ciara off by kissing her. Ben pulled away and caressed Ciara's cheek, pulling on her hair slightly, "I LOVE the idea, Ciara. 'Carla Alice, Carla Alice'. Named after two important women from our families."

Ben nodded, "Okay, we've got a girl's name. Now, back to a boy's." Ciara and Ben spent the next few hours going over every boy name in the book but couldn't agree on one.

Ciara let a yawn slip out. Ben took the book from Ciara's hands and placed it on the coffee table. "Ciara, maybe we should pick this up another day. You look…" Ben yawned, "…exhausted." Ciara chuckled, "I'm not the only one."

Ciara rubbed her belly, "Hopefully you are a girl because Mama and Daddy can't seem to decide on a boy name for you." Ciara chuckled and Ben stood up and held out his hand for Ciara.

Ciara and Ben headed for their bedroom. Just before they entered their bedroom, Ciara turned back, "Sorry Chels, I guess you won't have the honor of knowing you had a hand in our baby's name." Ben chuckled at his girlfriend, "I think you're delirious. Let's go to bed." Ben kissed the side of Ciara's head.

TBC