CHAPTER 24-Kate's first love

Kate POV

"Come and sit." I said.

Ben came over and sat next to me.

"Wow. You picked a terrible time for a visit." I said.

"I'm so sorry. The things I said to Craig... god that was terrible. But I meant everything I said to you back there. I truly did." Ben said softly.

"I know. But what did you tell Craig? How did you get him to leave?" I asked.

"I told him that I knew how to handle you when you're going through PMS." Ben said, laughing.

"How did you know that I was- " I said.

"Who knows you better than me?" he asked.

I smiled.

"Ben, those things you offered me...I can't. I love Craig. I'm happy here. I just can't." I said.

"Kate. I know you're scared. But I love you more than Craig does. Can he offer you security, happiness, love, a place of your own..." Ben said.

"No, he can't. But I'm too young to move in with you. Besides, you're going to college next year." I replied.

"I can live at home. Next year, after you graduate, you won't be too young. We can make it work. I love you more than anyone in the world. Just, think about it, okay?" He asked.

I looked away. He turned my chin towards me, and kissed me, soft and tender. I could feel the love in our kiss. I found myself kissing him back. He positioned me with my back on the couch and kissed me all over my face.

"Ben, Ben stop. I can't do this; I can't cheat on Craig. I think you should leave." I whispered.

Ben brushed my hair behind my ear and kissed me on my cheek.

"Okay. I'll leave. But I have to tell you; I'm leaving my number at the hotel here. I'm staying for about a week. Please, promise me you'll consider making me the love of your life again." Ben said.

I nodded slowly and Ben quietly left.

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Craig POV

I was sitting in my car in front of Kate's house, waiting for that asshole, Ben to leave. After about five minutes he came out again, whooping with joy. My heart froze. What had happened? I got out of the car and ran up to him.

"What the hell are you doing with my girlfriend?" I shouted.

I looked at him. He had lipstick all over his lips. He had kissed my girlfriend! And she had kissed him too!

"Kate's going with you, isn't she?" I asked.

"No. She's confused." He replied.

"How could you do this? I love her. You jerk!" I said.

"Did Kate tell you anything about me? Did she tell you about our trip to Paris? Christmas with my family? Valentine's day in her basement? Nothing? Why do you think that was, Craig? She loves me. I'm sorry, but we were meant for each other." Ben said.

He walked passed me and got into an expensive looking car. I sighed. Of course, he was rich. He had taken her to Paris. They really did love each other. But was she still in love with him? I was scared to find out, so I went back into my car and drove home. Before I went in, I felt a tear going down my cheek. I had lost the first girl I had ever truly loved. For real this time.

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Marco POV

I was walking down the hall when I saw Kate at her locker. I walked up to her.

"Kate, hey. Did Craig like his surprise?" I asked.

"He loved it." She sobbed.
"Kate, is something wrong?" I asked.

"Ben came back last night. In front of Craig. Ben came into my house, he kissed me, and I told him to leave. He wants me to move in with him, Marco. He wants to spend the rest of his life with me. What am I supposed to do?" she asked.

"I don't know. Are you still in love with him? "I asked.

"I don't know. What am I going to tell Craig?" she said.

"He knows everything.' Craig said.

Kate turned around and saw Craig.

"Craig, I'm so sorry about my behavior. I completely abandoned you. Ben was totally out of line. I would love to talk to you. About everything that happened. I don't know what Ben told you, but nothing happened between us. I would never cheat on you." Kate said.

"Okay. Let's go to my house." Craig said.

"What about classes?" I asked.

"Forget classes, Marco. We have to settle something." Craig replied.

Craig took Kate's hand and led her outside. She turned and gave me a frightened look, then followed Craig out.

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Kate POV

I had told Craig everything. Craig was in shock, sitting on his bed, completely silent.

"He's offering you all of this stuff, Kate. I can offer you tons of stuff. You, you can marry me! We can live here. My dad's inheritance! That can support us! We'll be so happy, Kate." Craig said excitedly.

"Craig, you're acting crazy." I said.

"You didn't think Ben was crazy when he asked, did you?" he replied.

"Ben wasn't asking to spite you, he was asking because he meant it." I said.

I turned away and cried. Why was Craig torturing me like this?

"Kate, don't cry, please. You obviously love Ben, so go. Go after him. I hope you have beautiful kids together. Goodbye. It's over. You're free." Craig shouted.

I left Craig's house sobbing. I got a cab to drive me to Ben's hotel. I dashed to the elevator and got off on Ben's floor. I pounded on the door and collapsed into Ben's arms, still crying.

"Oh, Kate, sweetheart. Come sit down on the bed." Ben said soothingly.

He carried me and deposited me on the bed. He lay down next to me and stroked my hair as my tears slowly lessened. I felt my body relax, and settled myself on the bed. I nestled my head into his chest and slowly drifted off to sleep.

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Ellie POV

Sean and I were exhausted, so we decided to take the day off. I lay on the couch with my feet over Sean's lap while he felt my stomach

"I think it's too early to feel her kick." I said.

"I know. I just love feeling what we made. I was thinking about our wedding. It's going to be really small, you know, so maybe we should just elope. "He said.

"That could be sweet." I replied.

"Ellie, I have something to tell you." Sean said.

"Oh god. What?" I said.

"I called your mom. She wants to come to the wedding." Sean said.

"What? How could you? I left for a reason!" I shouted.

"Ellie, calm down. The baby! Your mom doesn't have to come. I can tell her not to come. Just please, relax." Sean said quickly.

"Okay. She's not coming. I never want to see her again. I just want to live my life with you, this house, and our baby." I said.

"Ellie, you might want help from her later." Sean said.

"Never." I swore.

Sean looked as if he might have wanted to say more, but kept quiet.

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Kate POV

I felt sunshine on my face and slowly woke up. I turned and saw Ben's face.

"Did you just watch me sleep?" I asked.

"Yeah. Like I used to." He replied.

I let a trace of a smile grow on my face. He tucked some hair behind my ear.

"Now. I took the liberty of ordering some food." He said.

He gestured to the door, where there was a tray of breakfast muffins, tea, and toast. I sat up and went over to the tray and took a slice of toast. Ben smiled at me.

"You always liked toast." He said warmly.

I smiled back at him and took a sip of tea.

"Well, now that you're fed and rested... what did that kid say to you to make you cry like that?" he asked.

I choked on my tea and looked at him.

"He told me that it was over. He thinks that I am still in love with you, and he thinks that I'm going to choose you because you're rich." I said, my voice cracking.

"Is that true?" he asked gently.

"No. I'm staying with you because I love you, not because you're rich." I said.

"You love me?" he asked even more gently.

"I do." I said.

He smiled and walked over to me. I fell into his arms and he kissed me. I opened my mouth and pressed myself up against him, giving him full access. He slid his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer to him.

"Kate. I missed you so much. Every day without you broke my heart. I love you, god Kate I love you." Ben said passionately.

We kissed for a while before I broke away.

"Ben, I think I should go back to LA with you. People at my school are going to hate me, so... what's holding me back?" I asked.

"Okay. In one week, we'll be starting our new life together." Ben replied.

Ben bent me back and kissed me, holding me by my waist. He set me right up again, leaving me breathless.

"I missed those kisses." I said.

"I did too." He replied.

He cleared his throat.

"I also missed..." Ben pointed towards the bed.

I looked at him

"You haven't slept with anyone since we broke up?" I asked.

"No, of course not. Did you? No, forget it. I don't care." He replied.

"Oh, you poor thing. I can't believe you waited." I said.

Ben looked at the ground.

"I can make it up to you." I said.

I fell on top of him as we collapsed together on the bed. After it was over, we switched positions and lay down next to each other. Ben rubbed my back as I kissed him all over his face incessantly.

"Kate, Kate I get it. "he said, laughing.

I kept kissing him as he laughed again.

"I can't wait till you live with me. We can eat lunch with all of our old friends, go to prom together, we can even get married at your old church." He said.

"Married?" I asked.

"Um, well, I need my fiancée to wear this," he said.

He reached into a drawer on the nightstand and pulled out a little black box.

"Oh my god." I said.

"Kate, will you marry me?" he asked.

'Yes!" I squealed.

He opened the box to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen. He slipped the ring on my finger and kissed my hand. We stared at each other, beaming.

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