The weekend of Valentines.... Saturday Morning, New York, 6:05 AM
Jennifer's Perspective:
I found myself at the gym near my apartment, immersed in my workout routine. In the midst of a set, my assistant, Charlotte, approached me with my phone.
"Char, you know better than to interrupt my workout," I sighed in frustration, continuing my pull-ups.
"I get it, but your boyfriend is calling on FaceTime," Char replied, arching her eyebrows.
"Oh, got it. Apologies," I released the bar and answered the call.
"Finally," Ben teased, feigning annoyance.
"I'm a busy woman, okay?" I laughed, wiping sweat away with a towel.
"I believe that. Where are you?" he chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.
"I'm at the gym, my usual spot when I'm not filming or busy with my kids or work," I explained, settling onto a bench.
"Alright. Well, I'm in New York. Supposed to be here last night, but my flight got delayed due to the winter storm," Ben sighed.
"Are you at a hotel? You should've called once you landed so you could stay at my place," I suggested, smiling.
"I didn't want to impose. I didn't know if you were asleep... I was going to invite you to my hotel," Ben teased as he strolled down the street.
"Aww, well, I'll cut my workout short. Where are you staying? I'll come pick you up, and we can cancel your hotel reservation," I suggested, eager to spend time together.
"Jenn, it's okay. You do your thing, and call me once you're done," Ben assured with a smile.
"Are you sure, baby? I really want to see you and just kiss you," I pouted.
"Yeah. Hold on," Ben said before abruptly hanging up.
"Well, that was rude. He doesn't seem too excited," I pouted, glancing at Char.
"Turn around," Char suggested, and as I did, I found Ben standing behind me with a massive bouquet of red roses and a box of chocolate chip cookies from my favorite bakery.
"You're kidding," I gasped, hand over my mouth in shock.
"Happy Valentine's Day, beautiful," Ben said, leaning down to kiss me, his arms enveloping me as Char took the flowers and cookies.
"I genuinely thought you hung up on me," I giggled.
"I could never hang up on my gorgeous girl," Ben assured, kissing my forehead.
"Cookies at the gym?" I laughed.
"Well... Charlotte mentioned you were craving cookies last night from your usual spot," he shrugged, looking at both of us.
"You two are sneaky," I giggled, hugging him.
"Are you going to finish your workout, or should we work out at your apartment?" Ben smirked.
"Ben!" I giggled, playfully slapping his chest.
As we left the gym, Char reminded us of an event at 9:00 AM the next day and left us to enjoy our weekend. In the car, she whispered some cheeky advice about stocking the drawer with supplies.
At my apartment, Ben and I hurriedly got ready, dodging paparazzi. My driver took us to Ben's hotel to collect his belongings, and we made our way to my place.
In the elevator, a usually silent journey, I sensed a slight nervousness in Ben. Unlocking the door, I tried to read his thoughts. Was it jet lag, or was he just tired? I brushed off the thoughts and straddled him on the couch, helping him relax.
After a rejuvenating shower, I pondered on the day's events. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let Ben in a little more.
Dressed in a chic Gucci ensemble, I checked the time - 8:34. Panicking, I rushed to wake Ben for our upcoming event.
"Papi, let's go," I gently shook him, but he was sound asleep. I shook him more until he groggily sat up.
"Holy... Wow," Ben murmured, admiring my appearance. He pulled me onto him, inhaling my scent deeply and placing soft kisses on my neck.
"We gotta go," I giggled, checking the time. "It's 8:38. Let's go, please."
In the elevator, Ben couldn't take his eyes off me, praising my transformation from natural beauty to glamour.
Arriving at our destination, I took the opportunity to ask about his intentions. Ben's heartfelt response left me pleasantly surprised, yearning for something more meaningful.
"That's so sweet, baby. I was looking forward to this weekend, and I just can't believe it's finally happening," I confessed, genuinely moved.
As we entered the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, confused yet intrigued, Ben revealed he had special arrangements for us. The scene left me gasping at the sheer beauty of the unexpected venue."I thought they were closed today..." I looked at ben confused.
"Yes... But I know a few people who are letting us in for a few hours..." Ben smiled and opened the door and got out. He held his hand out for me as I scooted over the seats and got out taking his hand. We walked inside and I gasped at the scenery.
A beautifully adorned table greeted me with rose petals arranged in the shape of a heart. I couldn't help but cover my mouth in astonishment as I took in the breathtaking sight.
"I- Wow... This is so beautiful... and it looks so peaceful..." I whispered in awe, genuinely impressed.
"That's not all..." Ben chuckled softly, and at that moment, the sweet strains of Barbra Streisand's "I Finally Found Someone" filled the air from nearby speakers. My eyes widened, and I gasped, overcome with emotion.
"Oh my god..." I whispered as Ben took my hand, leading me to the table. I quickly grabbed my phone to capture the magical moment. As Ben gazed at me with love, he softly sang along, creating an intimate serenade just for me. I set my phone down, utterly captivated by Barbra's enchanting performance.
After the song concluded, Barbra approached us with a warm greeting. "Hi darling. How are you?" she said, smiling at me.
"I- Oh my god... Hi. I- I love you," I blurted out, tears streaming down my face. Barbra laughed and playfully teased me about being a fan.
"So cute," she giggled, pulling me into a warm hug. I hugged her back, still in disbelief at the surreal encounter. "How?" I managed to ask.
"Ben and I are good friends," she explained, her laughter echoing through the air.
I was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Barbra giggled and gracefully returned to singing. Her rendition of "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley filled the space, and Ben rose, extending his hand to invite me to dance. I took his hand, and we swayed to the music, lost in the moment.
Resting my head against his chest, I closed my eyes, savoring the enchanting melody. Ben's thoughtful gesture overwhelmed me. No one had ever done something so amazing for me before. It was a testament to his caring nature, a reminder that he pays attention to the smallest details.
As Barbra continued with covers, including Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love For You," I looked up at Ben with admiration. "I love this song so much..." I confessed.
"I know..." he whispered, his eyes filled with understanding and affection. When I questioned how he knew, he recounted a moment at a restaurant when the same song played softly in the background as I sang along while perusing the menu.
"So you remember little details, don't you..." I giggled softly, touched by his attentiveness.
"Of course. I want to make my girl feel heard," Ben replied, his gaze tender as we continued to sway to the music. Playfully, I teased, "Can we get married already?"
"Sure, I wouldn't mind," he chuckled, wiping away my tears with gentle precision.
After Barbra bid us farewell, leaving us to enjoy our breakfast, I couldn't help but express my amazement to Ben. "Wow..." I breathed softly.
"I know... The look on your face is the best gift I could ever have. You're so precious and adorable," Ben said, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead as he led me back to the table. Blushing, I sat down, and the perfect breakfast unfolded. We delved into conversations about our pasts, childhoods, hardships, and shared experiences. Talking to him felt effortless, as if we had known each other for years. We just clicked, understanding one another on a profound level.
To be continued...