I'm startled by the fact that Stefan is standing in the living room, and not Ben. I look around the room quickly and I don't see Ben anywhere in the large room.

"Mr. DiMera, I was…"

"I told you, Stefan please, and you were expecting Ben, I know. I told him to send you a message to use the tunnels to get you here discreetly."

I sigh with a bit of relief, not knowing how much of what has been happening Stefan is in on.

"Ben had to take care of something with another one of the men on the grounds. He figured you would be coming after your shift at the pub. He was hoping to be back by the time you got here. I assured him that I would be here if he wasn't to make sure you arrived okay. Did you have any issues while making your way here?" Stefan inquired.

"No, from what I could tell everything went okay."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it."

"Please, take a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?"

"No, I'm fine, but thank you." I walk over to the couch and set my purse next to me.

"Are you sure, it's no problem."

"Nope, I'm good."

"Well, I'm going to head out for my business trip. I only assured Ben that I would get you settled if he wasn't here himself. I'm sure he will be here shortly. Have a good evening Ciara."

"Thanks. Goodnight Stefan."

Stefan walks out of the room and I am left in a state of unrest. I'm alone in the DiMera mansion as far as I can tell. I'm tired and all I want is to see Ben. To see his smile and to have him wrap his arms around me and assure me that everything is going to be alright. I feel exceedingly lonely and close my eyes hoping to keep the tears at bay. I can't believe how all of this is playing out. Ben and I shouldn't have to be sneaking around to see one another.

I blame Claire and her stupid jealousy for this God-awful mess. I need to think of a way to get her to confess so Ben can be freed of these stupid fire-starting accusations once and for all. I hear a door open but being so drained, emotionally and physically, it doesn't register what that sound means.

"Ciara."

My eyes instantly open at the sound of Ben's voice, "Ben."

I launch myself off of the couch and run toward him, closing the distance between us as quickly as my legs will carry me. He hungrily captures my mouth with his own and envelopes me in his muscular arms. He lifts me off of my feet and spins me around, just like in my dreams. It has been so long since I have felt his lips on mine and I respond to his kiss with equal fire. Our tongues tangle and I then gently nip at his bottom lip. He has instantly made me no longer tired, and I am filled with longing to be with him. I need him as badly as I need my next breath.

Ben places me back on the floor and then latches onto my neck doing delicious things before kissing my cheek and then my forehead. He leans his forehead against my own, "I am so excited about this baby. I know that we weren't planning on this but, I am so happy. How are you feeling?" he asks and then places his hand over my abdomen. I can't help but reciprocate the grin that he can't keep off of his face.

"I've been feeling pretty nauseous if I'm honest. I couldn't really keep any food down until this morning when I tried some saltines. That is the only thing that I have been brave enough to try and eat today."

Ben takes my hands in his and then kisses the knuckles, "Oh Ciara, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"You're doing it. Just holding me is making me feel 110% better."

"Are you hungry now? Do you want me to make you anything?"

"Maybe a little. I know what I can't have."

"What's that?"

"No Chinese. When I was going through the tunnels and had to enter the digits for our first date it got me to thinking about our outdoor picnic with Chinese food. Apparently Packing Peanut was not having that, because just the thought of Chinese food had me almost tossing my cookies in the tunnels."

"Packing Peanut?"

"I started calling the baby Packing Peanut since we don't know what it is right now and it's so small. I know it's too early to tell what it is, but do you want to know the sex of our baby?"

"What do you want?"

"I kind of want to be surprised."

"I do too. So, Packing Peanut, huh?" Ben gets down on one knee, kisses my abdomen and then rests his forehead there for a few moments, "I am going to do everything I can to give you and your momma the best life I possibly can. I love you little one and I can't wait to meet you."

A tear rolls down my cheek because I am so happy to see how thrilled he is about our little miracle. He kisses my tummy again and then stands back up. "I love you so much," he whispers in my ear and then he wipes the tear the fell away. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm just so happy that you're happy about the baby."

"Did you doubt that I would be happy about this?"

"No, I figured you would be pretty excited about it. It's just nice having the confirmation."

"So, what do you want me to make you?"

"Pancakes…no wait, I don't know if I will be able to keep them down. How about some chicken broth…no I want your pancakes. Please."

"Pancakes it is."

Ben sweeps me up into his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking you upstairs so that you can change into some pajamas and go lay down in bed. I will bring you your pancakes upstairs. We'll call it dinner in bed."

I wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me up the stairs, "That sounds perfect."

He takes me to what I assume is one of the many guest rooms at the DiMera mansion and sets me back down on my feet. "You get comfortable and I will be back with your pancakes before you know it." He kisses my cheek and then my lips one more time before turning and leaving the room.

Down in the DiMera Kitchen

I can't help but sprint down to the kitchen to make Ciara her pancakes. On the way down I decided that I'm going to heat up some broth too since she was indecisive at first. When Abigail was pregnant, she was always changing her mind about what she was craving. Abigail…I can't help but think about the betrayal I felt when I learned that she had cheated on me and wasn't pregnant with our baby, but instead with Chad's.

I quickly close the door on those thoughts and vow to myself that I will not open that door ever again. I'm with Ciara now. I love Ciara with all of my heart, she loves me, and she would never do that to me. We are completely committed and devoted to one another and I know without a doubt that the child she is carrying is mine.

I quickly busy myself heating up some broth and making enough pancakes for the two of us. I fill two plates, fill a mug with some broth and put a rose on the tray for good measure. My woman will be treated like the queen she is.

I quickly walk up the stairs to what will be our room for the night, "Ciara, I…" I stop in my tracks when I see the sight before me, Ciara asleep. She managed to get her pajamas on but must have passed out before she could cover up with the bedsheets. I didn't realize how exhausted she was and begin to mentally kick myself for not noticing sooner.

I run the food I made back downstairs and put it in the fridge so that it will be ready to be heated up tomorrow morning.

I head up the stairs again and back up to our room. God, she's so damn beautiful. I offer a prayer up to God for putting her in my life and then cover her with the sheets she had pulled down. I kiss her forehead and then strip down to my boxer briefs. I walk over to the other side of the bed and gently lay down, so I don't wake her. I roll over onto my side to spoon with her and take her into my arms. I missed being able to do this so much while I was in my jail cell. Just simply holding her in my arms.

She has fallen asleep with one of her hands clutching her abdomen. Even in her sleep, she is protecting our baby. I place my hand just under hers and lay my head down on my pillow to truly rest for the first time in over a week.