Chapter 7

Three Months Later

I awake in Ben's arms like I have every morning since we got back together. When Ben started working for Stefan again, he moved into the gatehouse on the DiMera Estate and I moved in right along with him. I have to admit that Stefan isn't exactly who I thought he was. I still don't completely trust him, but I am cautiously optimistic about the friendship and opportunity that he is offering Ben.

Ben…I feel so safe and secure in his arms it is a struggle to leave the warm cocoon of our bed when its time to go to class in the morning and then put in my shift at the pub. I've had a lot on my mind the last two weeks, and I know I need to tell Ben what's going on.

The way that he's holding me now it's as if he already knows. I'm pregnant. His hand is resting on the mound that is our child. I took the test two weeks ago and have been trying to figure out how to tell him since. I could actually feel our bump when I was showering yesterday. Its slight almost invisible but I know that its there. I know I need to tell him, I just don't know how. I don't want him to worry over me. I know that he is going to make a great father. He wants to be everything that Clyde never was to him. I just don't want to put anymore pressure on him than he already puts on himself.

Ben breathes in deeply and tightens his grip around me. I kiss his hand, the one that rests between my breasts.

"Good morning," Ben rumbles, his voice still groggy from sleep. He kisses my neck and then my shoulder. I can feel the smile on his lips as he lingers on my skin.

"Good morning yourself, handsome. How did you sleep?" I asked, then rolled over on my back to better see his face, to better look into his eyes. His eyes, a rich chocolate brown, are something that I find myself getting more lost in day after day. I love this man with all of my being.

Ben chuckled, "You already know the answer to that babe. When I have you next to me is the only time that I can relax enough to fall asleep. When I'm with you I'm at peace." Ben caresses his thumb over the barely there bump. He rolls over to brush his lips over mine and then nuzzles my collarbone and burns a trail of kisses down my torso. I run my hands through his hair as he continues to blaze a trail and he stops where his thumb has been caressing. Ben stops and looks up at me with those gorgeous pools of brown and then places the sweetest and gentlest kiss on that spot. Again, its as if he knows, and I know that now is the perfect moment to tell him.

"Ben, there's something that I need to tell you."

I feel his lips form a smile again against the mound that is our child. He places one more gentle kiss there and then sits up to look at me. "What do you need to tell me?"

"Do you remember the first night we made love?"

Ben grins at me, "I'll never forget it."

I take in a deep breath, "Ben, I'm pregnant."

"I know."

"What do you mean you know?"

"I know. I've known since I found your test in the garbage. I figured you would tell me when you were ready" he chuckled again, then said, "and besides you're starting to show."

I gasp and am shocked to find out that he has known as long as I have known and informs me that I am starting to show. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I told you. I figured you would tell me when you were ready."

I look at him sheepishly. "Well, what do you think about me being pregnant? Are you okay with this?"

Ben cups my cheek and gives me the sexiest grin I have ever seen him give me. He brings his hand back down to our baby bump and says, "What do I think about you being pregnant with my baby? I think you are glowing, and I think that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. And am I okay with this? I'm thrilled! I'm nervous because I don't want to mess up this kid's life, but I'm also thrilled."

"Are you sure?"

"Ciara, I've waited my whole life for a moment like this. The moment where the woman I love with all of my heart tells me that she is carrying my child. Ciara you have made me the happiest man alive. Ciara Alice Brady, will you marry me?"

I can't stop the tears from falling out of my eyes before I throw myself into his arms and give him my answer, "Yes, a thousand times over. Yes, Ben I will marry you! I have been waiting my whole life for my prince charming to say those very words to me. Ben you make me so happy. You make my life so full. I love you, Ben."

"And you make me feel complete Ciara."

I touch my forehead to his and then kiss him with everything I have knowing in my heart that we are going to be so happy together. This is just one of many more happy and thrilling moments.