One Year Anniversary
Ben and Ciara's first Anniversary was just a few days away, and Ben had been planning a surprise for his wife.
Ciara was sitting at her desk while Ben relaxed on the bed.
"Hey, babe, our Anniversary is on Thursday. What would you like to do?" he asked.
"I was thinking we could have a romantic dinner at Julie's place," Ciara replied.
"That sounds great! I'll be at the garage until 5," Ben said.
"Perfect! I should be done by 4:30, so I can start getting ready before you get home," Ciara responded.
"Sounds good," Ben agreed.
"I need to take a shower and get out of these clothes. Would you like to join me?" Ben asked.
"I would love to, but I need to get these forms filled out and signed."
While Ciara continued working, Ben took a shower.
When he walked out in a towel, he stood behind her and massaged her shoulders.
"Baby, that feels so nice," she said.
Ben started kissing her neck. "Come to bed," he urged.
" Mmm. I wish I could, but I still have some work to finish."
Ben continued to kiss her neck and then started undoing her dress.
" Babe, I really need to focus."
" I think you should take a break."
" I can't. I really have to get this done."
Ben took her hand, and she stood up. He leaned in and kissed her before he dropped his towel. She looked him up and down before pushing him onto the bed and climbing on top of him.
Ciara kissed his neck and down his chest before kissing his lips.
Ben undid her dress and slipped it off.
They made love and cuddled under the sheets.
"I have to get back to work," Ciara said as she started to get out of bed.
"Stay," Ben said, pulling her back.
"I can't. I need to finish those documents."
Ciara grabbed her robe and walked over to the desk.
"I'll order us some food," Ben offered.
"Thanks," she replied.
Ciara continued to work while Ben got dressed and waited for room service to arrive.
Just as Ciara finished her work, the food arrived.
They climbed back into bed and enjoyed their dinner together.
When Thursday arrived, Ben was the first one awake. He got ready for work, even though he wasn't actually going in.
Ciara rolled over and asked, "Baby, why are you up so early?"
"I have to get a repair done by 9:30," Ben replied.
He hated lying to Ciara, but he wanted to pull off this surprise.
Leaning down, he kissed her and said, "Happy Anniversary."
"Mmm, Happy Anniversary," she responded sleepily.
"I'll see you later."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too."
Ben left and headed to the flower shop. He arranged for them to be delivered to her office "so they would" be on her desk when she arrived.
Ben got everything he would need and then headed to the cabin to set up.
Ben walked into the cabin he had been fixing up on his days off. He started by making the bed. He hung up all the twinkly lights and spread rose petals. He put out some candles he would light later.
While Ben was at the cabin, Ciara entered her office and found flowers on her desk "with a card."
"Happy Anniversary, my love. I can't wait to write the next chapter of our love story. Love, Ben."
Ciara smiled as she read the card and looked at the flowers. She sat at her desk and got to work.
Ben went back to the Salem Inn so he could get ready and grab her gift.
He wrote her a note and left it on the bed.
Ciara left work and went home to their room to "get ready;" and wait for Ben.
She walked in and saw a note on the bed. She picked it up and read. Babe, wear your favorite dress and meet me where we first met. A limo is waiting for you outside. Love, Ben.
Ciara smiled and then got ready.
Ciara grabbed her purse and his gift and left the room. She got in the limo, and the driver took off.
Ben was waiting for Ciara outside of the cabin. When the limo pulled up, he opened the door for her and helped her out. He thanked the limo driver, and they headed inside.
Ciara walked in and saw the cabin had been renovated. She also noticed the twinkly lights and the rose petals, just like their wedding night.
"Ben, this is so beautiful!" Ciara exclaimed.
"You like it?" he asked.
"I love it! When did you have time to do all this?"
"I've been fixing it up on my days off. The rest I finished today."
"I thought you had to work?"
"I'm sorry I lied. I wanted this to be a surprise."
"I love it," Ciara said as she leaned in and kissed him.
"You look so beautiful," he complimented her.
"You're not so bad yourself," she replied with a smile.
Ciara leaned in to kiss him and took off his jacket.
"Ciara, we should eat first while the food is still hot," he said.
She sat down at the table as Ben went to get the food.
"General Tso's," Ben announced as he placed the bag on the table.
"My favorite!" Ciara exclaimed.
Ben pulled out the containers and set them on the table. They began to eat and chat.
" I can't believe you did all this."
" I wanted it to be special."
" Do you have room for a fortune cookie?"
" Always."
Ciara "Cracked it open" and read, " Someone you love will do something special."
Ben " Cracked his open" and read, "Something big is going to happen."
They both ate their cookies because they liked their fortunes.
Ben handed Ciara her gift and watched as she opened it.
Ciara opened the black velvet box and found a beautiful necklace inside.
" Ben."
" Do you like it?"
" It's beautiful. Can you put it on me?"
" Of course."
Ben clipped the necklace on her, and then she gave him his gift."
Ben lifted the lid off the box and discovered a positive pregnancy test inside.
He stared at the test, then glanced at his wife. When he remained silent, Ciara stood up and began pacing.
"Look, I know this is sooner than we expected, and we still live at the Salem Inn, plus we both have jobs. But I believe we can make this work."
Ben placed the box on the table and stood up. He walked over, picked her up, and spun her around with the biggest smile.
He gently set her down and kissed her.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, and it's not just me—the doctor confirmed it, too."
"We're going to have a baby?" he replied, his eyes wide with surprise.
"We're going to have a baby."
"Are you happy?"
"I am so happy," he said with a broad smile.
"How long have you known?"
"I've known for a week. I was so nervous to tell you."
"Why's that?" she questioned.
"We said we would wait until we had our own place."
"Babe, we can always find an apartment."
"I can't believe we're having a baby," Ben said as he placed his hand on her stomach.
They both laughed and shared a kiss. The kiss deepened, and clothes started to be removed.
Ciara undid the buttons on his shirt and removed it. Ben undid her dress and slid it off. He lifted her and placed her on the bed. They kissed before he moved to her neck and down her chest and stomach.
She undid his belt and pulled it through the loops. They removed the rest of their clothes and made love.
Later that night, they were cuddled in the sheets with big smiles "on their faces."
" This has been an amazing night."
" It has the place where we met the twinkly lights and rose petals. The Chinese food."
" The lovemaking."
" That too."
" The best part of this night is you telling me about the baby."
This whole night has been amazing, Ben Weston. I love you so much."
" I love you more, Ciara Weston."
" The only thing missing is the shirt you gave me."
Ben smiled and got out of bed. He grabbed the overnight bag and pulled out the shirt.
" You brought it."
" Of course I did. I know how much you love it."
Ciara put on the shirt and cuddled with him.
" When we get home, we have so much to do. Before this baby is born,"
Ben said as he ran his hand over her stomach.
" We have to get the baby's room ready. We have to get a car seat and a stroller."
" That's why they give you nine months to do it all. Well, I mean 7 1\2."
" 7 1\2, you think that's enough time?"
" Everything will be fine, and we will figure it out."
Ben got this far-off look on his face, and Ciara noticed.
" What's wrong?"
" What if I suck at being a father? Babe, I had Clyde. I have no idea what it takes to be a good dad."
" Yeah, but you're already being a good dad. Babe, you're putting the kid's needs first, and it's about the size of a tadpole. It's so small. I mean, you're already thinking about what the baby will need."
" Do you hear me complaining about the way you treat me? No. You will not do to our baby what Clyde did to you, okay? You're gonna be an amazing father."
"I'm going to be a father."
"You're going to be a father."
"I'm going to have a family. In my wildest dreams, I never thought this was possible, and now it is. And it's because of you."
"Yeah, well, it was because of you too."
They shared a laugh and kissed.
Ciara rested her head on his chest, and he kissed her forehead.
" Happy Anniversary, Ben."
" Happy Anniversary, Ciara."
" I love you."
" I love you more."
They spent the rest of the night kissing, cuddling, laughing, and talking.