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"I never thought I'd be as close to anyone in my life as I am to my family" Ben said, standing up and wiping his hands in his pants, turning to look at her. "But then you came into my life...and as great as last night was, I don't think I'll ever get over Grace" he paused to look at her, and gave her a weak smile "it's not fair to you".
Saanvi knew all that, she had seen the way he had loved and grieved his wife and she would never expect him to get over that, and she too had someone in her heart that she couldn't seem to get over. However she had thought hard about this, about them, and she knew it wasn't fair. They deserved better, and she had to at least try to make Ben realize that too.
She smiled at him and stepped a bit closer to hold his hand. She spoke again focusing on their joined hands.
"My heart is still with Alex, i don't know why, after everything, I still love her. But I do know this..." she dared to raise her hand and cradle his cheek, just as she's done many times before "even if we survive the Death Date, my situation with her will not change. Are we really going to live the rest of our hypothetical lives, longing for people that can't love us back? We have gone through so much hurt and suffering all these years for the opportunity of a future. Will we really have overcome it all to live miserably forever?" She gave him a second to understand her words, but before he could think of a response, she continued.
"I have mad love for you, Ben. Am not asking you to forget about Grace, I cared for her too much to ever think about that. But I am asking you to give yourself the chance to love me like I know you want to, because I want to give myself that chance as well"
Ben was beyond words. He had been ready to end that short lived romance he had last night with her, even if it pained him, but her words had made him rethink everything. Had made him want something he never thought he'd want again. He had been so focused on the future of his children, he had forgotten that he had a life too. But as he looked at her and listened to her, he realized she was right.
But did he deserve to love and be loved that way again? He didn't know if he deserved to feel that happiness again. As he looked at Saanvi he realize it didn't matter, because this woman believed he did and he trusted her more than anyone else in this world. He loved her. He loved her in so many different ways, some he had shown and others he hadn't fully.
He felt cold when Saanvi's hand disappeared from his face "I know it's a lot...we can talk about it when this is over. There are more important things at stake here. Have a good night" she gave him one of her smiles and went to walk around him to her tent
Ben's thought started replaying every one of her smiles. When they had first met, when she met Cal, when she had been redeemed. He knew he wanted them all, he wanted to hold her like he always did and make love to her like he did last night. He had been scared before but now he was only sure that he wanted to be with her. He wanted nothing more than to share their hypothetical future with her.
When Saanvi was about to pass him he went to grab her arm, stopping her in her tracks. With a soft movement he pulled her to him and cradle her face with his hands, kissing her lips like his life depended on it. She returned the kiss with just as much passion. It was brief but it was perfect, like all the feelings they had kept during the years had finally the chance to be set free.
When they pulled apart, with their foreheads joined he whispered to her "I love you, Saanvi Bahl" and she, with tears in her eyes responded "and I love you, Ben Stone"