Chapter 05: Run Together Part 04
Gwen and her family were shivering by the time Carl opened the door, the temperature had dropped 20 degrees in the short drive it took to get to Ben's house.
They were quickly ushered inside and offered warm drinks, the heater in the house going full blast to keep them all warm.
Gwen was still shivering, her freezing fingers wrapped around a hot mug of chocolate, the pain of the heat on her frozen appendages was painful but more than welcome. She sighed as she took a sip of the warming liquid, her eyes closed in bliss. She could hear similar sounds from her parents. She smiled as the warmth flooded her body.
Opening her eyes she glanced out the window and saw it was getting darker, while it was only five in the afternoon, with it being winter the sun was going down much earlier, but she could tell this darkness wasn't entirely from the season. The unexpected storm clouds were dark and heavy as they hovered over the city.
Gwen was pulled away from her musing on the weather by the sound of feet pounding down the stairs.
"Gwen!" Ben called as he slid into the kitchen on his socked feet. He eagerly grabbed one of her hands and began jumping in place as he held it, oblivious to the adults in the room.
"Gwen," he repeated, "the weather says it's going to snow!"
Her joy at his presence dropped when she heard this, her family hadn't put on anything warmer than a jacket as the weather was still pleasant when they left. If it snowed, she wouldn't be able to enjoy it with Ben.
"Come on," He said as he began to pull her hand, "I want to show you something."
His smile was infectious as he pulled her up, the mug being carefully balanced in the other hand.
Gwen giggled as Ben eagerly pulled her up the stairs and to his room, their parents, all except Natalie, smiling at the interaction.
Once they were safely in his room, the mug carefully placed on the desk, Ben pulled Gwen to him and eagerly kissed her, their arms wrapping around each other to hold the other close.
"Ben," Gwen whispered when they pulled apart for air, a smile on her face as she looked at the boy she loved.
"Gwen," Ben replied as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling away with a huge grin on his face. Taking her hand he pulled her to the window so she could see the outside.
"Look," he said as he pointed at the scattered snowflakes that had begun falling, giving the ground a light dusting of white.
"Snow! It's actually snowing!" She said as she pressed her face against the freezing glass to see it. "We haven't had snow in Bellwood in years."
"I know," Ben replied with a grin as he bounced on his feet, eagerness radiating off of him. "I can't wait to play in it."
"But Ben, it's gotta be freezing out there and we don't have any warm clothes."
He giggled and rushed forward to kiss her lips again before he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the closet.
"But we do my beautiful Gwen," he told her as he pulled the door open and showed her two sets of winter clothes.
"Ben," she said as her eyes lit up in delight. "You dug through your entire closet to find these?"
"Of course," he said with a smile at her happiness, "I knew that you would want to play outside and couldn't do it if it was freezing, so I started digging and found these. They may be a little small, but they should keep us warm."
Gwen beamed from ear to ear as she rushed forward and planted a kiss on his cheek before grabbing the set of clothes he'd indicated was for her and rushing out of the door to change.
Ben grinned as he started to change into his own set.
Several minutes later the cousins were at the bottom of the stairs, matching grins on their faces as Ben pulled Gwen out the door and into the backyard, anything their parents may have said was lost as the door closed.
Ben and Gwen giggled as they ran through the snow, flakes gently covering their jackets as they ran, their feet crunching through the inch or two of powder that had already settled.
Ben pulled her through the backyard to the forest that bordered the property, his smile grew as he heard her giggle behind him. He continued to pull her deeper into the trees until the house was hidden from sight.
Spinning on his heels he pressed her against a tree and captured her lips with his, his tongue gently caressing her lips as their kisses grew heated.
Pulling away he allowed her to wrap her arms around his neck, the snowflakes landing gently on her nose and eyelashes, causing her to blink and wrinkle her nose. Ben couldn't remember a time that she had looked more beautiful than she did at that moment with the glow from the city lights reflecting off the clouds and giving the entire forest a surreal and ethereal atmosphere.
"I love you," he whispered, afraid to break the spell the falling snow was weaving around them.
"I love you too," she answered softly as she pulled him close and pressed her lips to his.
They both smiled through the kisses they shared for the next few minutes before the cold began to seep into their bodies and their lips separated from each other.
As the cold settled they just stared into each other's eyes, the love in their emerald depths shining through. With matching smiles they leaned forward and touched noses, softly rubbing them together in a show of affection, while kissing was good, these gentle touches were magical to them.
Pulling apart they walked back hand in hand toward the house, stopping in a nearby clearing to play in the snow and throw snowballs at each other, not just as a cover for their flushed faces, but also because it was fun.
Laughing and brushing the snow from their hair, Ben and Gwen stumbled into the kitchen and collapsed into the kitchen chairs as they talked about their snowball fight.
Sandra smiled as she placed two cups of hot chocolate in front of them.
"Thanks mom," Ben said as he let go of Gwen's hand and grabbed the cup, the heat melting his frozen fingers.
Gwen grinned as she reached for her own cup.
"Thanks mom," she said absently as she and Ben continued to talk about their outdoor adventure.
Sandra was shocked at first by Gwen's slip of the tongue, something that she didn't even notice, but after a moment the shock wore off and Sandra sighed. Poor Gwen had not had a very nurturing mother, while Natalie did indeed try her best, she was still very aloof when raising Gwen, so of course the poor girl had latched onto the maternal caring that Sandra offered. Sandra knew she wasn't perfect either, but she would do what she could to fill the gap Natalie had left as a maternal figure while not stepping on Natalie's toes as Gwen's mother.
Glancing to the wall clock Sandra noticed that it was almost time for dinner to be served.
"Alright kids," she said as she took their now empty mugs, interrupting their argument about who actually won the snowball fight. "It's time to go get cleaned up for dinner. It should be ready in a few minutes."
"Ok mom," Ben said as he rose from his chair, Sandra thought he was going to race off but instead he turned and pulled Gwen's chair out for her and helped her to stand before they left to clean up, hands still entwined.
Sandra sighed as the kids disappeared upstairs, turning to the stove and the food waiting for her.
She knew she had a lot to process and share with Carl once she had.
.o.0.o.
Dinner that night was enjoyable, even Natalie got into the spirit of the season, even if it did require a few glasses of wine.
Once the adults had tucked their respective children into bed, Ben on the futon on the other side of the room, and Gwen in his bed enjoying the newly laundered sheets, they retired to bed as well. As they left they reminded the kids to get some sleep or Santa wouldn't come.
Ben and Gwen just rolled their eyes at this as their parents left, leaving only Max in the room.
"Grandpa," the kids said in unison, they would have leapt from the beds to hug him, he had arrived right at dinner time, and they didn't get any time to see him, but Max told them to stay in bed.
With a sigh he looked at where his grandchildren were sleeping and how far apart they were. Grabbing the futon he pulled it closer to the bed with Ben still on it.
Ben laughed as his bed became a sled as he rode closer to Gwen.
"Thanks Grandpa," he said as he rose and hugged the man.
"You're welcome, sport," he replied as he released the hug and wrapped his arms around Gwen for her hug.
"You kids need more time together if you're ever going to figure this thing you have out."
Gwen just smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"You're the best," she said.
"Just don't tell your parents, they might get jealous," he teased as he let her go and stood back up.
"Goodnight," Max said as he walked toward the door, flipping the light off and closing the door behind him. He had to hide a smile as he heard the sound of sheets rustling as Ben climbed into bed with Gwen.
Once the door was closed Ben pulled Gwen tightly against him, his nose in her hair as he inhaled the scent that was entirely just Gwen.
"I love you," he told her in a whisper, his mouth against her ear and his breath tickling her neck.
She gave a muffled giggle and turn in his arms to face him, ending up being nose-to-nose with him, their breath combining as they breathed, their arms coming up to wrap around each other.
"I love you too," she whispered as she closed the distance to capture his lips in a gentle kiss, one filled with love and hope.
Pulling apart they just smiled and looked into each other's eyes.
"I got you a Christmas gift," Ben whispered as he tenderly caressed her face, her eyes closing in pleasure as he did so. "I want you to have it tonight."
"Why tonight?" she asked in a low voice, eyes still closed in happiness.
"Because I can't give it to you tomorrow, it's not the type of gift a cousin would give another cousin." He explained as he gently pulled away from her before standing and moving to his desk. He carefully opened the drawers before taking the gift out, closing the drawer he crept back to Gwen.
Sitting on the bed he helped her to sit up before placing the box in her lap and sitting back on his heels.
Gwen gently picked the box up before slowly unwrapping the paper. While she was eager to see what it was she knew how much this meant to Ben and wanted to make sure she didn't rush it.
Once the paper was off and placed to the side she slowly removed the top of the box, once she had her breath caught in her throat. Shining up at her from the box was a Lucky Girl charm necklace with a mask charm attached.
"Ben," she said as she ran her fingers over the mask charm, memories of their first summer trip with Max filling her mind, specifically those when she discovered her magic and became Lucky Girl, crime fighting partner to Ben 10.
"As soon as I saw it I knew it was made for you," he told her in a low voice, not wanting to break the spell the gift had put her in. Ben watched as a small smile grew on her lips as she remembered that first summer, while he knew that memories of Xenon might come up, he was prepared to face them. After all, the joy she had when she was Lucky Girl was something he wanted her to remember for the rest of her life, and this necklace is exactly what would bring those memories back.
"I love it," she whispered as she raised her eyes to his, tears of joy shining in the corners.
Ben only smiled as he leaned forward and softly kissed her lips.
"Merry Christmas, Gwen," he said as he pulled away.
"Merry Christmas, Ben," she answered with a smile before it dropped away, "but, I didn't get you anything other than the gift downstairs."
"Gwen," Ben said as he lifted her chin to look at him, "you're the only Christmas gift I'll ever need."
Her mouth opened in a shocked 'O' before she smiled and leaned forward to kiss him.
When they pulled away Ben gently took the box from her hand and placed it on the desk.
"I'll help you put it on in the morning," he explained as he laid down on the bed and pulled her to him, her head nestling against his shoulder and her hand on his chest. "Tonight, I just want to hold you since we don't know when we'll be able to do this again."
"Mmmm," she replied as his warmth slowly soothed her to sleep. Ben could only smile and kiss the top of her head.
"I love you," he whispered before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
.o.0.o.
Their actual Christmas day was almost as good as their private one, almost since there was no kissing or cuddling.
Max had volunteered to wake the kids up since, as he stated it 'I never get to see them except when they are doing homework'. So it was with a great relief that Ben and Gwen were gently awakened by their grandfather instead of two sets of irate parents.
After sharing a morning kiss with each other and a hug with Max, Ben and Gwen separated with their respective bundle of clothes to get dressed for the day. Ben had thoughtfully allowed Gwen to use the shower first while he talked with Max and gathered his present for Gwen.
Once they were both showered and dressed they made their way downstairs separately to not rouse suspicions, especially since Gwen had sneaked a few kisses during the time they were alone.
Breakfast was as cheerful as could be given Natalie's dislike of Ben's side of the family. Thankfully it passed quickly and the family was soon gathered around the Christmas tree.
The adults were chatting as they drank coffee and opened their gifts, polite 'thank you's' offered for the enclosed gifts.
Ben and Gwen were sitting in front of the tree, wrapping paper surrounding them as they showed off their gifts to each other. Smiles on their parent's faces as the teens tore the paper from the gifts.
Soon all the gifts were given, and the adults were starting to clean up when Ben rose and walked to the tree, kneeling down he pulled out a gift that had been hidden behind the tree.
With a smile he rose and walked slowly to Gwen, the eyes of the adults on him.
"Merry Christmas, Gwen," he said as he placed the package in her hands.
"Ben?" she asked in curiosity, especially at the weight of the object.
"Why don't you open it, Pumpkin," Max suggested from where he sat, a smile on his face.
Wasting no time she tore the paper off to reveal a carefully wrapped book. Gwen could tell it was very old just by the binding.
"Ben," she said in awe as she read the title of the spell book, simply titled Magicks.
"I… er… saw it online and I know how much you like that antique stuff, so…" he wasn't able to explain more as Gwen had launched herself at him. As soon as she had held the book, she could feel the magical power emanating from it, something only someone in tune with magic could. She knew a book like that would not be cheap or easy to find, and despite her best efforts she could not stop herself from wrapping Ben in a hug. Thankfully, she had enough control not to kiss him, at least not in front of their parents, when they were alone in his room again, well, she made no such promises.
"I love it," she whispered as she released him with a huge grin on her face, the book soon back in her hands and clutched to her chest.
"I'm glad you like it," he replied with a blush, mainly because they had an audience.
"Which reminds me, I got a gift for you too." She said as she went to the coat closet and pulled out a large box. Ben was confused as he watched her slowly walk over to him, a grin the size of California on her face.
"Here," she said as she placed it at his feet, "open it."
Ben searched her eyes for a moment before he ripped the paper off, revealing one of the new PlayStation 4 Pro gaming consoles.
"Gwen," he said in shock, he knew how much this version cost, especially since he could see it was one of the higher 1 Terabyte drives, not only that but he also saw there was a second controller tucked into the wrapping.
"Gwen," he said again in awe, for once at a loss for words.
Gwen could only grin bigger if that were possible.
"I know you love it, Ben," she taunted as she pulled another gift from behind her back. "But I know you'll love this even more."
Taking the gift he numbly unwrapped it, as the paper fell to the floor it revealed the newest Sumo Slammers game.
Ben's jaw soon met the floor as he quickly calculated how much this all cost her.
"Gwen," he said as he finally pulled his eyes up to meet her smiling face.
"I figured that you deserved it for all the studying you did. Grandpa helped me get it all for you."
Ben could not form words at that moment, instead he wrapped his arms around Gwen and pulled her into a hug that would keep her warm all day long.
She laughed as she pried his arms from around her and took his hand, tucking the console and accessories under the other arm. With her cousin and the game in tow she led the way upstairs, the sound of Max laughing following them as they disappeared.
Several hours later as Max, Carl and Frank were sitting around the kitchen table talking and enjoying some coffee, Ben reappeared.
His hair was disheveled and his clothes slightly rumpled, his head was down as he was muttering to himself. The men sitting at the table had to stifle their laughs as they caught some of what Ben was saying.
"…stupid red heads and their cheating ways…" he mumbled as he walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of water before trudging back up to his room and his waiting cousin, mumbling more about Gwen's cheating. He never noticed the adults at the table.
"Well," Carl began as he took a sip of his coffee, "that was interesting."
Max only laughed before replying.
"You don't know the half of it, those two are super competitive when playing games. I once saw Gwen try to smother Ben with his pillow just so that she could win their race."
Frank snorted into his cup mid-sip, coughing, and laughing at the same time.
"That sounds like her alright," he said once he stopped coughing/laughing.
"They are an interesting pair," Carl said as he placed his cup on the table and raised his eyes in the general direction of Ben's room. "Is it my imagination or did they grow a lot closer over the summers? And I mean A LOT."
"What do you mean?" Frank asked as he turned to look at his brother, Max frowned, he didn't like where this conversation was headed.
"Well, for instance they aren't trying to strangle each other every five seconds," even Max laughed a bit at this comment, but his worry still remained. "But I meant they seem to be more, I don't know how to phrase it, more like family?"
"Is that a question or a statement Carl?" Max asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Both, I guess," he replied with a shrug. "I can't put my finger on it, but something is different, they seem much closer than before."
"Well," Max said as he placed his cup down, he had to be careful with what he said. "They did spend almost three months together in the Rustbucket, they'd have to grow closer in some way."
"I know, but, they almost don't seem like the same kids," Carl said as he looked into his coffee.
"I have noticed they are a lot closer," Frank said as he sat back in thought. "They seem to actually enjoy and want to be around each other."
"Gwen has been tutoring Ben," Max added to hopefully redirect the conversation.
"True," Frank said, "but that doesn't explain the expensive gifts they gave each other."
"Maybe," Carl started to say slowly as he processed the thoughts, "maybe, they are trying to make amends and become friends again. If you remember they were as close as peas in a pod when they were babies. Maybe they're tired of always fighting and are growing up?"
YES! Max thought as he silently cheered.
"I did notice that over the course of the summer the kids stopped hating each other," Max added. "It didn't happen overnight, but they did grow to care about each other. I think Ben was just grateful for Gwen's help with passing his classes. You know how much we've all been getting on him for his poor grades." Max said with a grin, hoping that directed them away from how close the kids really were.
"I suppose you're right," Frank said as he sat forward, his cup in his hand again. "So, tell me more about the next summer trip you have planned for them."
"You want them to go again?" Max asked in surprise.
Frank looked at Carl and shrugged as he grinned.
"Three months without the kids and alone with the wives? What more could we ask for."
Max roared in laughter as Frank and Carl joined him at a more subdued level.
"Well, it's too early to really plan anything yet, but I was thinking about heading north to Washington and into Canada and the upper states." Max said as he pulled a piece of paper from the counter nearby and started discussing the next adventure with the kids.
.o.0.o.
Ben smiled as he recalled the conversation Max had told him about later. Frank and Carl had been on the cusp of figuring it out, but neither wanted to see Ben and Gwen's relationship for what it was. It was strange their subconscious felt that way, after all, Carl had practically caught Ben and Gwen making out earlier in the holiday. But of course, Ben didn't know that until later when Max once again filled the teens in on a conversation he'd had with Carl over the Valentine's Day holiday of the following year.
Ben suppressed a snort as he let his eyes wander to his closet, the door of which was partially open. Hidden deep in the recesses in a secret compartment was the gift that Gwen had given him for that Valentine's Day. There hadn't been anything fancy about it, there was no way for there to be without raising suspicions. But Gwen had stopped by to help him with homework and had casually slid the wrapped box to his side of the table.
Ben had snatched it as fast as he could to prevent anyone from seeing.
Now, that had been an interesting holiday, for sure, but still not as interesting as New Year's Eve a few days after Carl nearly caught them.
.o.0.o.
Gwen and her family had decided to just stay the rest of the holiday with Ben and his family, Max had taken up residence out front in the Rust Bucket.
Over the days leading up to the New Year, the two families enjoyed a lot of quality time together, some more than others, and some less. While Natalie tried to monitor the time that Ben and Gwen spent together, she was slowly allowing them some more freedom out of her sight.
Currently, the cousins were building a snowman together in the backyard, a feat that would have been considered a sign of the apocalypse only a year ago.
Ben and Gwen were laughing as they rolled the snow and argued over what features the snowperson, as Gwen was adamant to call it, would have.
Inside the much warmer kitchen, Max smiled as he sipped his coffee and watched Ben and Gwen play. He was glad that the entire family had decided to stay over, it gave everyone a chance to mend the smaller bridge fires, and to build entirely new bridges in some cases.
He turned away from the window and made his way to the table, pulling out a chair he sat and just contemplated.
Hi musings were cut short when a near frozen Ben and Gwen burst through the kitchen door laughing. They shook the snow off their clothes before sitting at the table with Max. Ben made sure Gwen was seated before h moved to the counter to make some hot chocolate for them both.
"Have fun?" Max asked rhetorically.
"So much fun," Ben replied from the pantry as he dug out the chocolate mix.
Max chuckled softly as he watched Ben rummaging through the pantry. He had always enjoyed these simple, lighthearted moments with his grandchildren. Pouring the hot chocolate mix into two mugs, Ben joined Gwen and Max at the table, placing the steaming mugs in front of them.
Gwen wrapped her hands around the warm mug, relishing in its comforting heat. "Thanks, Ben. This hot chocolate is just what we need to warm up."
Ben smiled and took a seat next to Gwen. "No problem, Gwen. Anything for my favorite cousin."
Gwen rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, so now I'm just your favorite cousin?"
Max sipped his coffee, enjoying the banter between the two. He could sense the deep connection they shared, a bond that went beyond mere cousins. He knew their feelings for each other were strong, even if they hadn't yet revealed them to the rest of the family.
Ben leaned back in his chair, grinning mischievously. "Well, let's just say you're my favorite snowman-building partner too."
Gwen's cheeks flushed pink, and she playfully nudged Ben's shoulder. "Likewise, Ben. You're definitely the best at arguing over snowperson features."
They shared a moment of laughter, the joy of their secret relationship dancing in their eyes. Max watched them, a twinkle of understanding in his own eyes. He knew the time would come when they would be ready to reveal their love, but for now, he cherished these moments of innocent happiness.
As they enjoyed their hot chocolate, Max decided to steer the conversation toward their future plans. "So, you two, any exciting New Year's Eve plans?"
Ben and Gwen exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. Ben cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Actually, Grandpa, we were thinking of spending New Year's Eve together, just the two of us."
Max raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at his lips. "Oh? And what do you have in mind?"
Gwen's gaze met Ben's, and she took a deep breath, her voice steady. "We thought it would be nice to watch the fireworks display at the park. It's always so magical, and we've never experienced it together."
Max nodded, his smile widening. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. It's a night for new beginnings, after all."
Ben reached across the table, gently squeezing Gwen's hand. "And it would be the perfect night to create our own special memory."
Gwen's heart skipped a beat, her eyes sparkling with love. She knew what Ben meant, and her excitement mingled with a touch of nervous anticipation.
As the night grew darker outside, Max leaned back in his chair, his heart filled with happiness for his grandchildren. He knew that their love was strong, and he had a feeling that New Year's Eve would be a turning point for them—a night they would remember forever.
However, before that could happen they had to make it through the next few days. The first thing they had to do was convince their parents to let them go to the park.
"I was thinking," Max began as he sat his mug on the table and looked at his grandkids. "Your parents might not let you go to the park for the fireworks."
With a sigh, Gwen slumped on the table.
"I had considered that too," she replied as she stared into her chocolate. Ben took her hand and squeezed it for a moment before he spoke up.
"Me too, but I have an idea if they say no," he told them with a grin. When both sets of eyes were on him he told them. "We'll just sit on the roof to watch the fireworks, that way we'll have a great view and still be close to the house."
"Ben," Gwen said with a smile as she sat up and looed at him, "that's a great idea!"
"I know," Ben told her as he jokingly replied with mock arrogance, "I did think of it."
Gwen laughed as she gave him a slight shove, Max grinned as he watched them banter once more.
Max chuckled at their playful exchange. "Well, I must say, Ben, you have quite the knack for coming up with creative solutions."
Ben shrugged, a hint of pride in his voice. "What can I say? I'm full of brilliant ideas."
Gwen shook her head, her smile never fading. "You're lucky you have me to keep you humble."
Max leaned back in his chair, feeling a warmth spreading through his heart. Seeing the love and connection between Ben and Gwen filled him with a sense of joy and hope for the future.
"Well, I have a feeling that your parents won't be able to resist your enthusiasm," Max said with a twinkle in his eyes. "But if they do, you always have the rooftop plan as a backup."
Ben nodded, his gaze locked with Gwen's. "Exactly. We'll make sure we have the best seat in the house, even if it means sitting on the roof."
Gwen squeezed Ben's hand, a mixture of excitement and nervousness dancing in her eyes. "I can't wait, Ben. It's going to be a night to remember."
Max smiled, knowing that this New Year's Eve would mark a significant milestone in their relationship. He could feel the anticipation in the air, the sense of a new chapter unfolding for Ben and Gwen.
As the day of New Year's Eve dawned, Gwen and her parents woke up with a shared excitement. They were already staying at Ben's house, and Gwen couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in her chest. Today was the day they would create their special memory together.
Gwen and Ben woke up in Ben's room, the space they were sharing during their stay. The room had a cozy charm, adorned with posters of superheroes and a small desk cluttered with gadgets and drawings. Gwen, snug in the comfortable bed, stirred awake, her eyes meeting Ben's as he lay on the floor with a blanket and pillow.
With a mischievous smile, Ben quietly rose from his makeshift bed, tiptoeing to Gwen's side. Carefully slipping under the covers, he curled up next to her, seeking warmth and comfort in her presence. Gwen, her heart racing with a mixture of joy and tenderness, welcomed him into the bed, their bodies finding solace in the shared warmth.
The day progressed with the snowy landscape outside, and the air grew colder. Bundled up in their winter clothes, the family gathered in the living room, where they brainstormed and organized their plans for the evening. Ben's parents, Carl and Sandra, joined them, eager to contribute to the preparations.
Together, they created a festive atmosphere in the house. The living room was adorned with colorful streamers and sparkling snowflake decorations. The scent of hot cocoa filled the air, inviting everyone to warm up from the wintry chill. Gwen and Ben exchanged knowing glances, their connection hidden beneath their excited expressions.
In the afternoon, they ventured outside to set up an outdoor seating area. They arranged chairs and cushions on the covered porch, creating a cozy space where they could relax and enjoy the fireworks. The snowflakes fell gently around them, adding a touch of enchantment to the atmosphere.
With the preparations in place, they retreated to their respective rooms to bundle up for the evening's festivities. Gwen layered herself in warm clothing, pulling on a thick winter coat, a scarf, and gloves. Ben did the same, ensuring he was well-equipped to face the cold.
When they reconvened in the living room, their families exchanged approving glances. They chuckled and shared stories, their laughter filling the room. Gwen's parents, still unaware of the true depth of the connection between their daughter and Ben, enjoyed witnessing their newfound closeness.
As the family gathered in the living room, finalizing their plans for the evening, there was a moment of tension when Ben and Gwen broached the subject of going to the park alone to watch the fireworks. Their parents exchanged concerned glances, worried about the snowy conditions and the potential dangers of venturing out in the cold.
Natalie voiced her concern. "I don't think it's safe for you two to go to the park by yourselves in this weather."
Frank nodded in agreement. "I have to agree with Natalie. It's slippery out there, and we wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
Carl chimed in, offering an alternative. "How about sitting on the patio instead? We can set up a cozy seating area with blankets and make sure you're safe. You'll still have a great view of the fireworks."
Gwen and Ben exchanged disappointed glances but quickly realized that their parents' concerns came from a place of love and care. Reluctantly, they agreed to the compromise, understanding that their safety was a priority.
With a mixture of relief and excitement, their parents arranged the blankets and cushions on the patio, making sure everyone would be comfortable. The patio offered a partially covered space, shielding them from the snowfall while still allowing them to witness the magic in the sky.
As twilight painted the snow-covered landscape with hues of pink and purple, they bundled up and made their way to the backyard. The snow crunched beneath their boots as they settled into the chairs, wrapping themselves in blankets to ward off the wintry breeze.
Ben and Gwen found themselves seated next to each other, their bodies pressed close for warmth. Their hands intertwined beneath the blanket, their fingers finding comfort in the familiar touch. In the midst of the snowflakes and anticipation, their hearts beat in harmony, their love silently weaving through the wintry night.
As darkness enveloped them, the distant sound of fireworks reached their ears. They craned their necks, their eyes fixed on the sky, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. The first burst of colors illuminated the snowy backdrop, casting a mesmerizing display that elicited gasps and cheers from the group as the clock struck midnight.
With a laugh their parents turned to each other and embraced their partner, kissing them in the ages-old tradition of kissing at midnight. Behind them, slightly hidden by the patio roof, Ben and Gwen turned to each other and tenderly kissed, enjoying the euphoria that came with starting the new year together and in love. They broke apart quickly and turned their attention to the fireworks, smiles on their lips thanks to more than just the spectacle of light before them.
Ben and Gwen sat side by side, their cheeks rosy from the cold, their breaths creating small puffs of vapor in the air. They exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling with a shared secret. In the midst of the awe-inspiring fireworks, their hearts danced to an unspoken rhythm, their connection growing stronger with every explosion of light.
As the final firework dissipated into the night sky, Gwen leaned closer to Ben, her voice a soft whisper against the backdrop of celebration. "I'm glad we could be together like this, even if it's not exactly how we imagined."
Ben smiled; his eyes filled with warmth. "Me too, Gwen. It's still a special night, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here with you."
Their parents, caught up in the spectacle of the fireworks, remained unaware of the stolen glances and secret exchanges between the young couple. They laughed and applauded, savoring the magic of the moment, oblivious to the budding love story unfolding right beside them.
As the final burst of fireworks faded into the night, the air filled with a sense of contentment and wonder. Gwen rested her head on Ben's shoulder, her hand still intertwined with his. They sat in comfortable silence, allowing the beauty of the moment to linger.
The snow continued to fall, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance around them. In that tranquil setting, Gwen and Ben found solace in each other's presence, their hearts entwined in a shared journey of love and discovery.
The night was far from over, and as the family slowly made their way back inside, Gwen and Ben exchanged a knowing glance. They knew their time together wasn't limited to New Year's Eve. Their connection would continue to grow and evolve, creating a tapestry of moments that would shape their lives.
Unbeknownst to their parents, Ben and Gwen's bond transcended the boundaries of cousinhood, forging a connection that was destined to endure. The new year held endless possibilities for their love, and they were determined to embrace every moment, cherishing the magic that had sparked between them.
As they stepped back into the warmth of the house, Gwen and Ben's fingers remained intertwined, a silent promise to each other that their journey was just beginning. And as the snow fell gently outside, covering the world in a blanket of purity, their love blossomed, ready to face the challenges and joys that the coming year would bring.
In the cozy living room, with the crackling fire and the laughter of their loved ones surrounding them, Gwen and Ben settled into a comfortable embrace, their hearts overflowing with hope, happiness, and the knowledge that they had found something truly special in each other.
And so, in that moment, as the clock struck midnight and a new year began, Ben and Gwen whispered their own private wishes, their voices blending with the soft melodies of the winter night. They were ready to embark on a journey of love, one that would unfold beyond the constraints of family ties, guided by their shared dreams and the magic of New Year's Eve.
