Ciara and Ben walked into John and Marlena's and were surprised to see Stefan, Gabi, Justin, and Kayla sitting there with them. Ciara and Ben looked at each other curiously before looking at John and Marlena.

Ciara chuckled nervously, "What's-what's going on here?" Gabi stood up, "This… is your wedding shower." Gabi pointed to two chairs next to each other, "For the guests of honor." Ben and Ciara chuckled and walked over to the chairs and sat down. John and Marlena sat down on the couch.

John asked, "So Ben, what's the story with the ring?" Ben chuckled and held Ciara's left hand up. "I knew Ciara deserved more than a regular ring and I wanted her to have something as unique as she is." Ciara kissed Ben's cheek and Ben continued, "Stefan called his jeweler and…"

FLASHBACK:

Ben sat in the living room as Stefan walked in with a man in a three piece suit. Ben stood up, Stefan and the man walked over to him. Stefan gestured to the man, "Ben, this is Francois." Ben shook Francois's hand.

Francois spoke with a thick French accent, "Mr. DiMera tells me you are in need of an engagement ring?" Ben nodded, "Yes, sir. But not just any old ring. My fiancée deserves nothing but the best and exceptional because that's just what she is." Francois nodded, "That is my bread and butter. Please sit."

Ben sat back down on the couch and Francois sat on the chair and pulled a medium-sized notepad out of his briefcase. "Now, tell me about your fiancée." Ben smiled bashfully and Stefan chuckled, "This could take several hours." Ben glared slightly at Stefan. Stefan raised his hands up and chuckled, "I'll go, I know when I'm not wanted." Ben shook his head, "Nah man, you can stay." Stefan sat in the chair across from Francois.

Ben sighed, "Ciara… she is the most incredible woman I've ever met. I honestly can't believe I get to marry her. I never believed in 'meant to be' or soulmates before her. But I truly believe we were meant to love each other. The love that we have for each other has only grown since our daughter was born."

Francois made a notation, "And when was your daughter born?" "May of last year." "And when did you two meet?" Ben sighed, "June 2018."

Francois pursed his lips and nodded, "When were you and your soon-to-be Missus born?" "I was born March 1989 and Ciara was born July 1997."

Francois pulled a larger notebook and several colored pencils out. As he sketched he said "Since you don't want a typical diamond ring for your fiancée, I'd like to incorporate birthstones into it. Yours, Ciara's, your daughter's as well as the month you met." Francois sketched intently for several minutes before turning the book to Ben.

"You see the center is Emerald which is your daughter's birthstone. The stones on each side of that are ruby and aquamarine: your and Ciara's birthstones. And then the band will be covered in Alexandrite, one of June's birthstones. Alexandrite is considered an Emerald by day Ruby by night so the perfect combinations for your women. And I recommend doing a silver or white gold band and setting since the yellow gold could contrast too much."

Francois ripped the page out of his book and handed it to Ben. Ben looked at it and brushed his fingers over it. "I-I love it. It's perfect for Ciara but…" Ben sighed heavily, "Ho-how much is this going to set me back? I-I'm kinda strapped for cash right now."

Stefan shook his head, "It's already paid for." Ben raised his eyebrows, "Stefan…? I-I can't ask you to-" Francois said, "It's true. Mr. DiMera has paid in full for my services as well as covering the cost of the ring." Ben nodded and walked over to Stefan wrapping his in a hug, "Thank you, man. I-I don't know what to say."

Stefan chuckled, "Just walk down that aisle and say ' I do'." Ben half-smiled and nodded.

Ben turned back to Francois. "I-I just have one more request." Francois nodded and Ben pulled something circular and silver out of his pocket, "Wo-would it be possible to make the band out of this?" Ben walked up to Francois and put the item in his hand. Francois looked at the item in his hand confused, "This is a…?" Ben said, "A washer, from a motorcycle." Ben chuckled, "You see, Ciara and I met because she crashed her bike. After she was recovered, I worked on fixing it and kept the washer. It's what connected us and the bike was her dad's that she got after he passed away."

Francois eyed the washer for several beats, "This is most unusual request…" Ben's face fell, "…but I don't see why not. I may have to smooth out certain edges to get the prongs in properly but the band will be this washer."

Ben smiled broadly and sighed happily, "Thank you." Ben shook Francois's hand and Francois put the washer in his briefcase and packed up his things. As he headed out the door, he turned back, "I'll be in touch."

END FLASHBACK

Ben spoke still holding Ciara's hand, "And that's how Ciara's beautiful ring came to be. Although it doesn't hold a candle to her beauty." Everyone chuckled and Marlena and Kayla both wiped an eye, getting touched especially over the Bo connection.

Ciara held Ben's face, "Have I mentioned how much I love you?" Ben chuckled, "Not today." Ciara kissed Ben and Gabi stood up and clapped her hands, "Okay, game time. As the maid of honor slash wedding planner, I have put together a game to see just how well Ciara and Ben know each other and how in sync they are."

Ciara and Ben gave each other a knowing look and Gabi continued, "Under your chairs, you'll both find a dry erase board and marker. We will take turns asking you questions from the fishbowl…" Gabi gestured to a fishbowl with paper slips on the table, "…and your job is to match your answers. Let's begin."

Gabi picked a paper out of the fishbowl, "'Was it love at first sight?" Ciara and Ben both started writing on their boards. After a minute Gabi said, "Okay, time's up. turn them around." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around. Ben's board read 'Yes' while Ciara's read 'HELL no!' Ben chuckled reading Ciara's board, "Okay so not just no but hell no?" Ciara shrugged and chuckled, "It's true." Ciara wiped her board, "It took a while for me to trust you."

Gabi passed the fishbowl to Stefan who pulled a paper out, "'Who initiated the first kiss'?" Ciara and Ben both quickly wrote on their boards. Stefan said "Turn them around in 3, 2, 1." Ciara and Ben both turned their boards around. Ciara's said 'He did' and Ben's said 'I did'. Stefan passed the fishbowl to John as Gabi said "The couple gets one point."

John chuckled, "This is a good one. 'Who apologizes first after a fight'?" Ciara and Ben looked at each other for a moment before both writing. After a minute John said, "Let's see 'em kids." Ciara and Ben both turned their boards around. Ciara's said 'I do' and Ben's said, 'Me'.

Ciara scoffed and Ben chuckled. Ben asked "You really think you apologize before me?" Ciara sighed, "I mean, we haven't had a ton of fights honestly but I think that I'm-" Ben finished, "Less stubborn than me? C'mon Bobcat." Ciara chuckled, "Okay fine. But just remember, you're marrying this stubborn girl." Ben turned slightly toward Ciara, "I wouldn't have it any other way." John chuckled, "Good answer, kid."

Ben smiled slightly, "Let me ask you John, you and Dr. Evans have been together a long time. What's your secret?" John looks at Marlena for a moment and then leans forward. John softly says, "You wanna know the secret to being happy for as long as Doc and I have is simple: two words, 'Yes dear'." Ben chuckled, "Yes dear'. If that's the secret then I'd say we're in pretty good shape because I already can't say no to my Bobcat." Ciara smiled and kissed the side of Ben's head.

John passed the fishbowl to Marlena who pulled her paper out. "'Who is the funny one'?" Ciara and Ben looked at each other and chuckled before both writing on their boards. Marlena folded her paper back up, "Okay, turn those boards around." Ciara and Ben did and Ciara's said 'Ben' while Ben's said 'Me?' Ciara chuckled, "Yep." Gabi said, "2 points for the love birds." Ciara smiled, "You make me laugh all day long. Even when we're not doing anything."

Marlena passed the fishbowl to Justin. Justin pulled the paper out, "'Who is more romantic?'" Ciara and Ben both thought for a moment before writing on their boards. After a minute Justin said, "Let's see 'em." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around and Ciara's said "'Ben, 1000%' while Ben's said 'Ciara'.

Ciara looked at Ben's and scoffed, "Babe, you are 100% the more romantic out of the two of us." Ciara held her left hand up, "I mean just look at my ring. If this doesn't scream romantic I don't know what does."

Justin passed the fishbowl to Kayla. Kayla pulled her paper out, "'Who is more patient'?" Ciara inhaled as she and Ben wrote their answers down. After a minute, Kayla said, "Let's see those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around. Ben's said 'Me' while Ciara's said 'Ben'.

Ciara and Ben looked and each other's boards and laughed. Ciara shrugged and chuckled, "Look, I know it takes a lot to deal with me on a daily basis. And I can own that." Ben kissed Ciara's cheek, "I wouldn't change a thing about you, Bobcat, even if you can be infuriating at times." Ciara chuckled, "And you better buckle up because Livvie is a chip off the old block already. I can tell."

Gabi said "3 points" and Kayla passed the fishbowl back to her. Gabi pulled one out, "'Who is the better cook'?" Ciara and Ben looked at each other and bursted out laughing. Both of them started writing furiously. Ciara chuckled, "I love how we're both speeding to write first, as if it's a competition." After a minute, Gabi said "Turn those boards around." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's had 'BEN' written largely while Ben's said 'Definitely not Ciara'.

Ciara read Ben's and chuckled, "I won't even try to rebut that one." Ciara shrugged, "It's true, I got my cooking skills from my Mama so let's just hope it's not a threepeat and Livvie takes after you." Ben rubbed Ciara's knee.

Gabi passed the fishbowl to Stefan. Stefan unfolded the paper, "'Who said I love you first'?" Ciara and Ben both wrote on their boards. After a minute Stefan said, "Let's see those answers." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Technically him but I would've' and Ben's said 'Me'.

Ciara chuckled, "I mean I was going to say it first but you said you had something 'really really important to tell me' and wanted to go first so I let you. BUT I had started to get ready to say I love you before you did so…" Ciara shrugged and Gabi said "I'm counting that as a correct answer. 4 points."

Stefan passed the fishbowl to John and he unfolded the paper. "'Who takes longer to get ready in the morning'?" Ciara cocked her head back and forth as she and Ben wrote their answers down. After the minute, John said "Let's see those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me' while Ben's said 'Ciara'.

Ciara looked at Ben's board, "What's that in the corner?" Ciara took Ben's board from him and read what Ben put in the lower left corner "'*It takes her an hour to do her hair'." Ciara scoffed and playfully hit Ben on the head with the board, "Stupid head." Ben took the board back from Ciara and Ciara crossed her arms 'annoyed'.

Marlena chuckled and took the fishbowl from John and pulled her question out. "'Who is grumpier in the morning'?" Ciara and Ben wrote on their boards. After the minute, Marlena said, "Let's see those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me. I'm a danger before that first sip of coffee' and Ben's said 'Ciara needs her coffee in the morning to be human. Before that, LOOK OUT!' Everyone laughed reading Ben's board.

Ciara put her hands up, "Fair enough, fair enough. When I was pregnant with Olivia and couldn't have my daily cup of joe…" Ciara grimaced, "things were rough."

Marlena passed the fishbowl to Justin. Justin pulled his question out, "This kinda goes with the patience question but 'Who is more stubborn'?" Ciara and Ben wrote on their boards. After the minute, Justin said "Let's see those answers." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around. Ciara's board said 'Both' and Ben's said 'Both but Ciara stronger'.

Ben chuckled and turned to Gabi, "Do we get a half point for that one? I mean we're both stubborn in our own ways, I just usually give in before Ciara because how could I say no to those eyes?" Ciara smiled and kissed Ben on the cheek, "And that's why I'm marrying him." Gabi chuckled, "I'll allow it. Four and half points."

Justin passed the fishbowl to Kayla and she pulled her question out. "'Who is the bigger baby when sick?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers on their boards. After the minute, Kayla said, "Let's see those answers." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me I guess?. Ben always wants to take care of me and is very independent' while Ben's said 'Ciara? I barely let her take care of me'.

Ciara laughed reading Ben's, "Yep. Ben is definitely very testosteroni. He barely let me take him to the hospital when he had gangrene and is very" Ciara stiffened her body and deepened her voice, "'I can take care of myself'." Kayla chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, this guy is definitely not an ideal patient."

Gabi said "5 and a half points for the couple" as Kayla passed the fishbowl back to her. Gabi pulled her question out, "'Who is the social butterfly?'" Ben and Ciara wrote their answers down. After the minute Gabi said, "Let's see 'em." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said "'Neither really. We both just like staying home' while Ben's said 'Definitely Ciara, I'm still a pariah'.

Ciara and Ben chuckled lightly. Ben put his board down, "Present company excluded, I don't get invited to many dinner parties." Ciara put her hands on Ben's shoulders, "Maybe that'll change once you're officially a member of the Horton, Kiriakis, and Brady families." Ben pondered for a moment, "Eh, probably not."

Gabi passed the fishbowl to Stefan who chuckled upon reading his question. "This should be a good one." Stefan cleared his throat, "'Who is the messy one'?" Ciara and Ben narrowed their eyes at each other before writing their answers. After the minute, Stefan said still chuckling, "Let's see those answers." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Ben. The gatehouse constantly looked like a tornado could have just hit' while Ben's said 'Ciara. From the time she unofficially moved in, it was very obvious the gatehouse was inhabited by a female'. Ciara and Ben chuckled at each other's answers.

Stefan passed the fishbowl to John. John picked his question out. "'Who spends the most money?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down. After the minute, John said "Let's see 'em." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Definitely Ben. He loves to spoil me and now Olivia too' while Ben's said 'Me. I can't say no to my women and refuse the opportunity to spoil them rotten'.

Gabi said "6 and a half points" as John passed the fishbowl to Marlena. Marlena pulled her question out, "Who loses their keys the most?" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down. After the minute, Marlena said, "Okay, time's up." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me. Ben always has his in the dish just so. I always throw mine wherever' while Ben's said 'Ciara. I can't count how many hours we've spent looking for her things'.

Ciara shook her head, "Okay, next time you can't find Livvie's lovey, don't come crying to me." Ben shook his head slightly and smirked, "And remind me, who is usually the one to lose it?" Ciara paused for a moment, "Olivia." "You're gonna throw our daughter under the bus? That's what you're going with?" Ciara chuckled, "Yep, that's my lie and I'm sticking to it."

Everyone chuckled and Gabi said "7 and a half points" as Marlena passed the fishbowl to Justin. Justin pulled his question out. "'Who eats the most junk food?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers. After a moment, Justin said "Time's up, turn those boards." Ciara's board said 'Definitely Ben :P' while Ben's said 'Me'.

Ciara chuckled looking at Ben's board, "Look, I love this man but when something goes wrong, he is the first to pull out the junk food and pig out."

Stefan chuckled in agreement, "Yeah." Ben glared slightly at Stefan and Stefan continued, "When you guys were broken up, we couldn't keep anything fattening or sweet in stock. I think it got to the point that Harold was having to make daily runs to the market." Ciara attempted to stifle a laugh and bit her lip.

Ciara tapped on Ben's abdomen, "Yep, this guy is a snacker, even if he doesn't look like it." Ben turned his head to Ciara 'faux'-offended. Ciara shrugged, "It's true, baby."

Gabi said "9 and half points for the couple" as Justin passed the fishbowl to Kayla. Kayla took a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who is the better driver?'' Ciara and Ben wrote down their answers. After a minute, Kayla said "Time's up" and Ciara and Ben turned their boards. Ciara's board said "Me" and Ben's said "Ciara. Even if her turns make me fear for my life at times."

Ciara chuckled and shoved Ben playfully, "Oh come ON. You love how I drive." Ben pressed his lips together, "Hey, I never look down on any opportunity to hold you tighter… but you do remember how or better yet why we met?" Ciara looked at Ben with her mouth gaped open slightly, "Oh shush." Ben chuckled and Ciara wiped her board.

Gabi said "10 and a half points" and Kayla passed the fishbowl to her. Gabi took a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who is the early bird?'" Ciara and Ben wrote down their answers and after a minute Gabi said "Markers down, let's see 'em." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Pre-baby, Ben. Now me.' while Ben's said 'Olivia makes an early bird out of both of us.'

Ben chuckled seeing Ciara's answer. Ciara said, "I can't tell you how many mornings I woke up and found Ben up already." Ben turned to Gabi, "Our answers are like a half point, right?" Gabi shook her head, "You said Olivia is the morning bird, Ciara said Olivia makes her a morning bird. No points." Ben whispered to Ciara, "Tough judge."

Gabi handed the fishbowl to Stefan and he pulled a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who falls asleep first watching TV?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down. Stefan said, "Time's up." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Both of us can but usually me, he's so comfy.' while Ben's said 'Both, we're both so comfy.' Gabi said "A point for the couple bringing their total to 10 and a half points."

Stefan handed the fishbowl to John who pulled a paper out as Ciara and Ben wiped their boards clean. John said, "'Who mentioned marriage first?'" Ciara and Ben wrote on their boards and after a minute John said, "Time's up." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Neither explicitly but Ben brought up a life together first. Like on our first date first.' while Ben's said, "Kind of me? I knew I wanted a life with her from day 1.'

Ciara looked at Ben's board and nodded, "That's a half point right? We're on the same page." Gabi nodded, "Close enough. Half a point bringing your total to 11 points."

John passed the fishbowl to Marlena. Marlena pulled a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who is the better singer?' And Ciara, remember I've known you since childhood." Ciara and Ben looked at each other for a moment before both bursting into laughter. Ciara continued chuckling lightly as she and Ben wrote their answers down. After a minute, Marlena said, "Let's see those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'NEITHER!' and Ben's said 'Nope. I'm tone deaf and Ciara screeches.'

Ciara chuckled, "Yeah, let's just say Olivia and any future children won't be selling out Carnegie Hall any time in this lifetime." Gabi said "A point of the in sync yet out-of-tune couple bringing their total to 12 points."

Marlena handed the fishbowl to Justin who pulled a paper out and unfolded it reading 'Who snores at night?' Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down. After a minute, Justin said, "Time's up. Let's see those answers." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Ben. I'm a quiet sleeper.' while Ben's said 'Neither really.' Ben looked at Ciara's board, "Whatchu mean me?! I do NOT snore." Ciara snickered, "Oh right, I forgot, you chop down trees in your sleep." Ben looked at Ciara mouth gaped open, "Rude."

Ciara giggled as she and Ben erased their boards and Justin passed the fishbowl to Kayla. Kayla took a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who takes longer showers?'" Ciara and Ben wrote down their answers down and after a minute Kayla said, "Turn them." Ciara's said 'Me. This mane takes time to work through' while Ben's said 'Pre-baby almost always together but now Ciara.'

Ciara hit Ben's leg, "Nice Weston, real nice." Ben chuckled and shrugged, "What can I say? Before we had Olivia, we were firm believers in water conservation." Ben lightly kissed Ciara's cheek before she shoved him off not-so-gently.

Gabi said "I'll award that a half point since Ben's post-baby answer matches Ciara's. 13 points."

Kayla handed the fishbowl to Gabi who took a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who is a better dancer?'" Ciara and Ben wrote down their answers and after a minute, Gabi said "Time's up." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Ben. He loves to sway me.' while Ben's said 'We've never officially danced but I think Ciara's got the moves.'

Gabi said "No points" and handed the fishbowl to Stefan. Stefan pulled a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who takes up most of the bed?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down and after a minute Stefan said "Turn those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'DEFINITELY BEN!' while Ben's said 'Me'.

Ciara looked at Ben and chuckled, "I can't say how many times his big ass almost knocked me out of that tiny bed in the gatehouse." Stefan chuckled, "Hey, don't blame me. That bed was meant for one, not two like Ben made it."

Gabi said "A point for the couple bringing them to 14 points."

Ciara chuckled and she and Ben erased their boards while Stefan handed the fishbowl to John. John took a paper out of the fishbowl and unfolded it, "'Who got better grades in school?'" Ciara and Ben wrote down their answers and after a minute, John said "Time's up." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me since I went further is schooling?' while Ben's said 'Ciara since it's kind of hard to get good grades while on the run'. Ciara chuckled looking at Ben's board seeing how in sync they were with their answer.

Gabi said "15 points" as John passed the fishbowl to Marlena. Marlena took a paper out and unfolded it, "'Who is more likely to be late?'" Ciara and Ben both quickly wrote their answers down. Marlena said, "Turn those boards." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Me. I try to be on time but most times no.' while Ben's said 'We're always together so both of us but as far as WHO makes us late, that's Ciara.'

Ciara chuckled and shrugged, "Fair enough." Gabi sucked her teeth for a moment, "I'm gonna give you two that one. That brings your total to 16 points."

Marlena handed the fishbowl to Justin who pulled the final paper out of the fishbowl, "'Who met their future in-laws first?'" Ciara and Ben wrote their answers down and after a minute Justin said, "For the final time, let's see 'em." Ciara and Ben turned their boards around, Ciara's said 'Definitely Ben for meeting his future mother-in-law. He met her even before we did.' while Ben's said, 'Me. I met and had interrogations with my future mother-in-law before I even met my wife.'

Ciara chuckled and rubbed Ben's thigh lightly reading his board. Ciara murmured still slightly chuckling, "Aww." Ben leaned toward Ciara, "And I would go through a hundred more interrogations to get to meet you."

Ciara put her hand behind Ben's neck and rubbed, "'Your wife', oh my god. I already love the sound of that word."

Ben leaned toward Ciara and kissed the side of her temple.

Kayla pulled a black and white gift bag with tissue paper off of the ground. Kayla handed it to Ciara and Ben, "This is a little something from Justin and I." Ciara held the bag in her lap and Ben removed the tissue paper revealing two ceramic mugs: one said 'MR. RIGHT' with a black mustache on top while the other said 'MRS. ALWAYS RIGHT' with red lips on top.

Ciara and Ben lightly chuckled at the gift and Justin said, "We unintentionally matched John's advice for you." Justin put an arm around Kayla, "Kayla and I might be in the same boat as you guys, but this isn't our first rodeo."

John stood up from the couch, "Oh Doc and I have another gift for you guys." John walked out of the living room and returned a moment later with a large and long wrapped picture frame.

Ben took the picture frame from John and unwrapped it. Ben chuckled reading it in his head before reading it out loud, "A relationship is like a deck of cards: in the beginning all you need are two hearts and a diamond. By the end, you'll be wishing you had a club and a spade." The picture was accompanied by images of each of the card suits.

Marlena slapped John's shoulder semi-playfully, "Do you want to get divorced before these two kids get married?" John chuckled, "I'm just kidding, Doc. The kids know I'm just joking around." John turned to Marlena, "You know I wouldn't trade one moment with you for anything in this world." Marlena's face softened and kissed John.

John turned to Ben, "And that kid is how you pull a hat out of a rabbit." Everyone chuckled at John.

Ciara placed her head on Ben's shoulder wrapping her arm around Ben's forearm and interlocked their hands.

TBC