Destined To Be With You

Chapter 1

He stood up from the bar stool and couldn’t help but smile. “Olivia Bergdorf”, he called out to her.

“Benjamin Stratford or should I say, Mr. Lawyer” she said to him as he engulfed her in his arms for a long hug.

As he let go just enough to give her a kiss on the cheek he said, “I didn’t think you’d make it”

“Well, I’m here”, she said holding his gaze a little longer. She was good at reeling him in even when she wasn’t trying. All she had to do was flash him a sexy smile and that was it.

The whole night was spent enjoying drinks and talking by the bar. Ben did spend time with his other friends but he didn’t stay away from Liv for longer than 5 minutes each time. He always made sure she was enjoying herself. He wanted her to stick around. Eventually, his guests had to leave, one by one until it was just the two of them. By the way they were looking at each other they knew how the night was going to end. He took her back to his place and they had sex. It wasn’t just sex. But he wasn’t sure if they were making love either. But he knew there was passion. They had passionate sex. Every time they had sex it was meaningful. They were always in sync. They knew exactly what the other person needed. When it came to the physical aspect of their complicated relationship they were perfect.

When they finished, Ben pulled Liv into his arms as she wrapped her right arm around his middle. “Thanks for making it tonight”, he whispered.

Liv was already half asleep but she heard him. She smiled to herself and hugged him tighter.

Ben woke up when he found himself reaching for Liv in his bed. She wasn’t there. She was making her way out of the restroom. He watched her as she tried ever so quietly to fetch her belongings among the piles of clothing on the floor.

“You’re leaving?” he asked her in a whisper.

Startled, her head jolted up to look at him. Once she relaxed she replied, “I already missed my 1am flight back. I need to take the 5am if I’m going to make it back to New York in time for a meeting.”

He knew he couldn’t ask her to stay like he had done before. They weren’t together anymore. He sat up in his bed letting his thoughts take over. It had been 5 years since they were actual boyfriend and girlfriend but no matter how much time and distance they’d spent away from each other he always had an aching in his heart for her and only her. He tried finding another woman but no one could ever measure up. And although he knew that continuing to see Liv every now and then would only hurt him in the end, he just couldn’t stay away.

“I’m taking a tee and a pair of sweats, alright?” she said.

He nodded silently, just waiting until she left yet again. And before he knew it she was making her way towards the door. He offered to drive her to the airport but typical Liv declined with a simple, “I can manage on my own.”

As much as this goodbye was much like the others, this particular departure was different. Before she let herself out of his apartment she turned to him and smiled warmly before adding, “I’m so proud of you Ben.” Ben didn’t say anything. He was taken aback. Liv was a very sarcastic and guarded person. She never showed any sign of weakness. And weakness to her meant expressing her emotions and so hearing this from her was surprising. It was genuine and full of sincerity. “And… I really hope everything works out for you.” And she hesitated before saying, “I’ll miss you.”

He wasn’t sure where any of this was coming from but he was cherishing it nonetheless. “Thanks and I’ll miss you too.” He couldn’t help but feel like she was saying goodbye for good. He had a feeling that this might be the end and he didn’t know how to feel. As sad as he was to see her go, maybe this could be a chance for him to finally move on.

And sure enough he met Emily three weeks later.

Ben was taken away from his reverie once Emily walked into the room. A smile immediately spread across his face when he saw her. She was just as beautiful as the last time he saw her. Her auburn hair was still wet from her shower and her skin was all dewy and glowing.

They made their way towards each other and he quickly took her in his arms and kissed her. Once, twice, and one last time before he pulled away to look at her. “I missed you”, he murmured.

She gave him a comforting smile as she ran her fingers through his hair. “I missed you too.”

They took a seat on the couch close to each other. A moment of silence passed before she said, “What’s going on? What was so important you couldn’t tell me over the phone?”

Her blue eyes were searching his brown ones. The only thing he could see on her pretty face was worry and that only made it harder for him to tell her about Liv and their baby. Although, they've only been together for 5 months, their feelings for each other were strong. They already had a picture of what their life could be like 5 years into their relationship. They were hopeful of their future together and he was afraid of what would happen after he told her about Liv. He didn't want her to get hurt. He didn't want their relationship to change. Emily is the only woman who came close to making him feel like he did when he was with Liv.

Emily waited patiently for Ben to speak. She could sense that it was weighing heavy on his heart, whatever it was.

He cleared the lump in his throat and slowly began, "Em, I... don't really know how to tell you this because I don't want to hurt you. And I don't want to lose you. But I have to tell you."

She nodded, "Whatever it is. We'll deal with it."

He sighed, "I... You remember Liv?" she nodded again.Oh God, I can't do this,he thought. But he had to. "This was before I even met you." Emily's face showed nothing but confusion. "She and I got together and she's pregnant."

Emily's mouth fell open and her eyes went wide. She tried to respond but she didn't know exactly what to say. She wasn't angry, she couldn't be. But once her eyes started to blur she knew she was upset. She couldn't fathom the fact that he was going to have a child with another woman. And Liv wasn't just another woman, she was the woman who Ben was terribly in love with. This thought scared her. He was going to have a kid with her. Emily and Ben have never discussed having kids and a family because they weren't at that point in their relationship. But now that this was happening, she realized that having his kids is something she wants. And all that doesn't matter anymore. Even if they did end up getting married and decided to have a family, that wouldn't be anything special because he also had that with Liv.

"I just found out earlier this morning." he said

"Is that why you didn't pick me up?"

He nodded. And he waited and waited for her to speak. He wanted to know what she was thinking, what she was feeling. He waited but she didn't say anything. Nothing at all.

"Please say something." he pleaded.

"I don't know what to say." she began, "I can't be mad at you. You obviously didn't intend for it to happen."

They let a moment of silence take over before Emily asked, "So what's going to happen now?"

He exhaled and explained, "I'm going to be there for Liv. I understand that that might upset you but I'm going to take care of her and our baby. I want to be there for my child. I intend on making sure that she never has to worry about not having me in her life. And at the same time I want to be with you. I know I may be asking for too much, but I love you and I would completely understand if you can't handle this but I do want you. I need you."

Emily loved him with as much as her heart allowed her to. She needed to support him and be there for him even if it was painful.

His eyes bore into hers.

"Okay." she breathed

"Okay?" he asked carefully.

"I'll be there for you."

He couldn't believe it. He was prepared to see her leave but she didn't. She gave him a chance. And he was just grateful. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have Emily. She was doing more than she had to just for him.

"I love you." he said truthfully. She gave him a weak smile as he kissed her.