Destined To Be With You

Chapter 14

Emily lazily dragged herself through the airport terminal to get to baggage claim. She had been gone two days. Two days away from Ben was excruiciating. Especially after the way she left. Leaving the way she did and pushing him away made her feel like she made the biggest mistake. He tried so hard to involve her in everything and all she did was worry about was herself. She felt awful for pulling away from him when he needed her the most. He was going through so much yet he still managed to think of her. He gave their relationship his all and all she did was let him down. The night before she left, she knew Ben could tell she was distancing herself from him. He looked pained and sad when she told him he didn't need to drop her off at the airport. She had been pulling away slowly but he never changed, not until that night. It was the first time he gave her space and it killed her. But she knew it was her fault and that made her feel even worse. She regretted telling him she didn't need a ride. It was a simple decline but it caused so much damage to their relationship. Now that she was back, she just hoped she could make it up to him. He was trying and the least she could do was try too. She wasn't ready to give up because even though the situation involving Liv and the baby made her feel disconnected from Ben, she still loved him. 

As she walked to the arrival gate she spotted Ben looking around anxiously. She couldn't help the big smile that was plastered on her face. Just when she thought he was pulling away too, there he was in his dark washed jeans and red checked flannel looking handsome as ever waiting for her. She watched him a little longer until his hazel eyes met her blue ones. Once he saw her, he smiled warmly and made his way to her. She couldn't wait for him to get to her so she sprinted to him. She immediately threw her arms around him as he held her tight. She kissed him deeply, surprising both him and herself by her forwardness. It was an exhilarating feeling letting go of all her insecurites and showing him just how much she loved and appreciated him in public. 'If he's going to give it his all, so am I', she thought. 

"Hey" he whispered as he pulled away to rest his forehead against hers. 

"I missed you so much." 

"You did?" he asked grinning. 

She nodded and frowned before she said, "Ben, I'm so sorry for the way I've been this past month. I promised you I would be there for you but I just wasn't and I'm sorry."

He shook his head as he brushed stray pieces of hair away from her face, "I understand. It's difficult but next time can you come to me and tell me you're having a hard time dealing instead of pulling away from me?"

"I promise" she whispered as she closed her eyes to kiss him again. 

 She was going to try. 

Ben helped Emily with her bags and they drove home comfortably. The tension and awkardness that had been clouding their relationship for the past month had seem to disappear. Now, there wasn't anything they were worried about. Everything was finally good and easy. 

***

Ben had told Emily about having dinner with Liv weeks before but Emily felt like no time was enough for her to prepare for properly meeting Liv. She tried to shake the nervousness she felt while getting ready but nothing helped. She couldn't quite pinpoint what she was nervous about but she knew some of it had to do with the fact that deep down she knew Ben still had feelings for Liv. It wasn't easy for her knowing that the man she loves loves someone else. 

Emily looked at herself in the mirror one last time before reminding herself that she had nothing to be worried or nervous about. Ben was with her and not Liv. 

The drive to the Hawaiian infused restaurant was quiet. Emily sat in the passenger seat taking slow deep calming breaths while Ben drove silently seeming relaxed. Once they had the valet take the car, Ben was at Emily's side with his hand placed on her lower back. He gently rubbed his thumb soothingly as he pulled her closer to place a kiss on her forehead. She looked up to see his comforting smile as he said, "Relax. She just wants to get to know you better. If it gets too much for you, squeeze my hand and we'll make up some excuse and leave, okay?"