Jennifer's Pov
July 3rd
The world outside was a whirlwind of activity, but in our home, everything seemed calm, for the moment. Ben had ventured out with his mother to prepare for tomorrow's festivities, while Violet had taken the children to purchase a staggering $10,000 worth of fireworks. Meanwhile, I remained at home, tending to Juni's needs, accompanied by my mother.
"How are you feeling, love?" my mother asked, her gaze full of concern.
"I feel good. Just tired and nauseous all the time," I admitted, stifling a yawn.
"Are you pregnant again?" Lupe, my mother, pressed, her tone stern and perceptive.
"Huh?" I stammered, caught off guard by her piercing insight.
"Jennifer," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for evasion.
"No, mama, I'm not," I replied, unable to meet her gaze.
"Jennifer Lynn Affleck," Lupe intoned, a maternal reproach in her words.
"Mama," I whispered, my eyes diverting to Juni."
I know you are. Those cookies have been sitting on the coffee table for two days, and you haven't touched them at all," she accused, pointing to the untouched cookies.
"They're for decoration," I offered, attempting to buy time to reveal the truth."
Bullshit. Are you pregnant? Just answer my question," Lupe demanded.
"Yes," I finally confessed, my eyes meeting hers in a silent admission of my hidden secret.
"That's all you had to say, mija," my mother replied, enveloping me in a warm, comforting hug, the floodgates of my emotions opening as tears flowed freely.
"Why are you crying, my love?" she inquired, concerned.
"I'm worried that Ben won't fulfill his part and be there for me. I fear the Paris incident might happen again. I'm scared of him relapsing. I'm scared of facing this journey alone, mama. I'm scared he might become like Marc and give up on me when I'm trying my best. All I want is for Ben to be by my side, to support me, and not react negatively when I return to complete my final scenes with Channing. I'm terrified he'll say something hurtful to me," I confessed, releasing my pent-up fears and anxieties, feeling a sense of relief as I bared my soul.
"Oh, honey, it's going to be alright. I'm sure Ben will be there for you. I just know he will," my mother consoled me, offering the reassurance I so desperately needed.I nodded and sighed, casting my gaze downward.
Back with Ben...
Ben's pov
The day pressed on, and my focus shifted to preparing for the evening's grand celebration. I inspected the decorations and ensured that the food was ready, knowing that we were merely three hours away from the commencement of the festivities.
My phone incessantly rang and interrupted my preparations. Annoyed, I answered it without bothering to check the caller ID.
"What?" I snapped impatiently.
"I miss you. How are you doing?" Ana's voice echoed through the line.
"No, no, no. We're not doing this, Ana. I'm happily married. I don't need your drama. Goodbye," I retorted, my irritation evident, as I hung up.
The persistent ringing of my phone continued. Fed up, I put my phone on airplane mode and headed back home.
Upon my return, I began unloading the items I had purchased for the next day's celebration and placed them in the fridge.
"Hi, princess," I greeted Jennifer, drawing her close and kissing her soft lips while gently caressing her growing belly.
"Hi, baby. Why didn't you answer my calls? They went straight to voicemail," Jennifer complained, her frustration apparent.
"My phone kept ringing off the hook, so I had to put it on airplane mode," I explained, stealing another tender kiss. Jennifer reciprocated and nodded, understanding the reason.
Unknowing to me, Jennifer managed to surreptitiously retrieve my phone from my pocket while I went to retrieve the remaining items from the car.
Jennifer, still holding my phone, scrolled through my messages, her eyes landing on ancient conversations between Ana and me.
A: "Just leave her."
B: "She's the mother of my kid, I'm not going to do that to her. I love her."
A: "But you said you loved me."
B: "I do. But I love Jennifer. She's my wife, and I plan on fixing things between her and me. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I can't mess it up again. What we had was just one kiss that never should've happened."
A: "So you regret kissing me?"
B: "No... it was closure."
A: "That wasn't closure for me. I need you inside of me again."
B: "That's never happening again."
Jennifer took my phone out of airplane mode, and it instantly buzzed with 46 missed calls from Ana, along with 18 missed texts containing explicit photos from their past escapades. The photos depicted various angles and positions, accompanied by videos. Jennifer dropped the phone to her side, her eyes filled with shock and disappointment.
I entered the room, completely unaware of what had transpired. "Babe, the store was packed, I guess that's what happens when you wait until the last minute," I chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood, closing the fridge and turning to see Jennifer standing behind the door with tears welling up in her eyes.
"You promised me... you broke your promise! You don't love me!" Jennifer shouted at me, pushing me forcefully against the cabinet, her words a piercing accusation.
"Jennifer, what are you talking about?" I exclaimed, confusion etched across my face.
"You're still in love with Ana! You cheated on me! When did you cheat on me, you bastard?" Jennifer screamed, her rage and demands escalating as she began to rain punches against my chest.
"Jenn, relax! Let me explain!" I pleaded, my arms instinctively rising to shield myself from her blows.
She pulled away from me, her expression filled with disgust. "Fuck you! I don't need an explanation! I want you out of my life!" Jennifer declared, her voice seething with anger.
"Jennifer! Listen to me! I never cheated on you! Ana is insane and wants me back! I told her to go to hell, and she's using our past against me. I don't love her, I never did! I lied to her because she's a psycho! I swear on my life, I never cheated! Please believe me!" I implored, tears streaming down my face as I professed my innocence.
"I want a polygraph test done. Now. I don't believe you. You've screwed me over so many times, you asshole!" Jennifer raged, her mistrust palpable.
"Jennifer, you need to calm down. Remember what the doctor said," I urged, doing my best to soothe her, though my own tears flowed freely.
My phone rang incessantly, demanding my attention. "If that's her, I swear to God, Ben, I'm getting a divorce from you," Jennifer declared, her anger unabated.
"It's not her, it's Violet," I declared, my tone laced with concern.
"Hello?" I replied, my voice steady, despite the disquieting revelation.
"Dad, can you ask mom to check her text? I sent it like three minutes ago," Violet pleaded.
"Sure, I'll let her know," I assured her.
"Thank youuuu. Byyyeee," Violet chimed before hanging up.
"Violet's wondering if you could respond to her text," I relayed to Jenn, and she promptly retrieved her phone to address the message.
Meanwhile, Juni's cries filled the room, and I found myself lost in thought. I considered going to comfort her, but Jennifer insisted on taking care of her herself. I was left in a state of disbelief, overcome with a tumult of emotions—hurt, anger, and profound upset. I retreated to our bedroom, my phone in hand. As I showed Jennifer the texts, I explained, "This was during our trip to Paris. The photos of Violet and me together are from three years ago. I got this cross tattoo just last year," pointing to the tattoo in the photo that proved its recent nature.
She glanced at me, then at the photo, her expression pained. A heavy silence hung in the air.
"You kissed her when I was pregnant... during that rough patch," Jennifer finally spoke.
"I kissed her when we were separated, back in May when we were living apart," I admitted. "It might not excuse my actions, but I never intended to leave you for her. She means nothing to me. I don't love her. She's just a troubled woman," I confessed, tears streaming down my face.
Jennifer paused, looking away. "I need some time to think," she said.
"Well, I hope it won't take too long. We have an event in three hours. Please dress your best," I urged, my voice laced with regret, and I lowered my gaze.
"I'm not sure I can go with you. I need space," Jennifer replied, her irritation still apparent.
"Jenn," I implored.
She remained silent, prompting me to leave the room and prepare for the event. Soon, the kids returned with a haul of fireworks and began getting ready themselves. Jennifer, the last to join us, emerged in a stunning new dress she had recently acquired, cradling Juni in her arms. My eyes were drawn to her, and I couldn't help but appreciate her beauty in that moment.
I gazed at her, my heart filled with amazement.
"Wow, Mom, you look absolutely stunning," Max exclaimed, his smile lighting up the room.
"Thank you, sweetie," Jenn replied, returning the smile.
"Shall we?" Jenn suggested, leading the way towards the waiting Cadillac. The rest of us followed, and I took charge of opening the garage door. The kids eagerly hopped into the car, while Jenn expertly secured Juni in her car seat before joining them. I couldn't help but sigh softly as I waited for my mom and Lupe to join us in the car.
I had a feeling my mom had overheard everything earlier, but she was the type to stay out of other people's business.
While inside the car, I reached for Jennifer's hand, but she seemed disinterested in holding mine.
Upon our arrival at the venue, Jennifer and the kids disembarked first.
With care, I lifted Juni out of the car, but Jennifer seemed visibly upset."She's my daughter too," I whispered under my breath, frustration bubbling within me.
"Give me my kid," Jennifer demanded sternly in a hushed tone, ensuring the children couldn't overhear us.
"She's our child. Let me help," I pleaded, attempting to assist, but Jennifer gently pushed me aside, effortlessly securing Juni's car seat onto the stroller.
We all entered the venue together, and Jennifer's eyes widened in astonishment when she saw the colossal portrait of herself.
There was a banner over the portrait that said "Celebrating the Success of Jennifer Affleck"
"Is all of this your doing?" Jennifer asked her eyes filled with wonder.
"It is... the day we returned from the hospital, and you asked me who I was speaking to, it was this incredible man right here," I replied, gesturing towards Zach, the event coordinator who had brought my party vision to life.
"Thank you," Jennifer said with a grateful smile, then she confidently strolled into the party, warmly greeting her friends and family. I let out a soft sigh and allowed her to enjoy the celebration. I made my way to a nearby table as the kids ventured off with their cousins and friends.
An hour passed, and I found myself still at the table, Juni by my side. Jennifer walked over to me, and I thought she had something to say, but she simply took Juni and returned to her friends.
Leah approached me, and we engaged in conversation. The topic inevitably drifted to what had transpired, and I shared the truth about Jennifer's doubts and how she no longer believed in me.
"As a friend, I have to tell you, the last pregnancy really took a toll on her, and she's afraid of anything that might push you two apart this time. I understand that you've just been remarried, but she's genuinely scared that you might cheat or do something reckless," Leah explained.
"I have no intentions other than being there for my wife. But she won't let me. You should have seen the way she yelled and lashed out at me," I confided.
"I get it, and I'm not excusing her actions. But you need to step up and prove that you're here to stay," Leah advised.
"I'm trying," I replied.
"You can do this. I know she's stubborn, but don't give up," Leah encouraged me, offering a soft smile before excusing herself.
I stood up and approached Jennifer, who was conversing with Loren.
"May I have the pleasure of a dance with my wife?" I asked Jennifer and extended my hand towards her.
"I'm fine, thank you," she replied, offering a strained smile.
"Jennifer refusing to dance? What's going on? Get out there; I know you want to dance!" Loren exclaimed with a laugh.
Jennifer playfully rolled her eyes and rose from her seat. I led her to the dance floor, holding her close as we swayed to the soulful melody of "Try Me" by James Brown.
"I love you... I don't want to fight with you anymore. If you want me to leave after tonight and never come back, just tell me. I don't want to argue anymore. I take full responsibility for my actions during that time when we weren't together. I love you so much, Jennifer. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our marriage. I want this with you," I confessed as we danced.
"Okay, maybe I overreacted... but, Ben, I'm afraid you'll leave again and disappoint me like you did during my last pregnancy," Jennifer admitted.
"I won't. I told you I'm not going to leave your side. I love you so much, Jennifer, you have no idea," I reassured her, my voice choked with emotion.
"I love you too," Jennifer whispered.
The song "Fire and Desire" by Rick James and Teena Marie began playing, and we sang along, the lyrics capturing the depth of our feelings.
As the song ended, I slowly pulled away and asked for the microphone. The DJ lowered the music so I could speak.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you all for being here. I hope you're having a great time. I just want to say a few words about the incredible woman beside me. My wife, the mother of my children, and, most importantly, my best friend. I want to express my gratitude for being the most amazing person. You deserve the world, and I'm so proud of your achievements. You are my everything, and I admire your work ethic. Every day, you inspire our children with your hard work. I'm so proud of how far you've come, and I love you so much. Everyone in this room loves and appreciates you," I declared, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
"Thank you. Your words mean the world to me, especially coming from you, my husband. We've been through a lot these last few months, but I'm grateful you're still with me on this journey. Hearing you say those sweet things has made my day, and I needed to hear them. Thank you, my dear Ben. I love you," Jennifer spoke into the microphone and kissed me. I kissed her back and held her close.
"Oh, by the way, we're expecting another baby!" Jennifer announced into the microphone, causing the crowd to go wild with cheers.
"I thought we were going to wait..." I stammered, surprised.
"Well, sometimes plans change," Jennifer said with a smile, hugging her friends who came up to congratulate her.
To be continued...