Very casually, Bennett said, "Ella seems like a very nice girl. Beautiful but a bit young."
Ben laughed and said, "I wondered how long it would take you to ask that. She is nineteen, but she is an old soul, in case you missed it, and brilliant. Besides, age is just a number."
"No, I did not miss that. She is obviously extremely bright. How did you two meet?"
Taking a long swig of his water, Ben said, "We met at her family's diner. Remember how I went with a few buddies to Napa over fall break? Our cottage was across the street from their place. We atethere several times. I met her then, and we have sort of been together ever since."
Giving his son a strange look, Bennett asked, "What do you mean you have sort of been together?"
"I mean, we have been texting and talking, and a few weeks ago, we decided to give this thing a real shot. She has moved into my place in Malibu. We are considering marriage."
With an incredulous look, Bennett asked, "You are living together? Marriage? What about school? What is she doing about a job? Have you thought about this? It feels very sudden." The questions and concern came pouring out of Bennett. He couldn't help it. He hated prying into his son's private business, but this was much more than expected.
Holding up one hand to stifle his father's flow of questions, Ben said, "I know you have concerns. But you are going to have to trust me on this. I know what I am doing. I am still in school and on track to graduate in the spring. Ella is looking for a job, but that is really not our number one priority right now. We have a lot of details to work out, and when we do, you and Mom will be the first to know. Until then, I need to know you have my back and trust that I have got this."
"I do trust you, but slow down. You are both so young, especially her. What is the rush? Date each other. Get to know each other. A few months is hardly enough time to be talking about marriage. You don't want to rush into something that you will both regret."
Ben held up his hand and said, "Dad…" but Bennett was on a roll and kept saying how young they were and how they had all the time in the world to settle down.
Ben tried three times to get a word in before he blurted out, "Dad, Ella is pregnant."
Bennett's head snapped back in shock. "Pregnant? Is it yours?"
"Would we be having this conversation if it weren't?" The look Ben gave him told Bennett that there was no doubt about the child's parentage.
"Okay, well, it is 2023. No one has to get married just because of a baby. You have lots of options."
"That is just it, Dad. I don't need a lot of options. I know what it is like to grow up not knowing your father. I won't do that to my child."
While Ben had not said that to hurt Bennett, it still stung. Sadly, it was also the truth.
"Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me that if you had known about me, you would not have married Mom twenty-three years ago?"
"No, son, I cannot. You’re right. I would have done exactly what you are doing."
"Thank you for that. I don't have all the answers, but I am doing my best here."
Bennett was taken aback by the adult look of strength in his son's eyes.
He had yet to get all the answers he wanted. Hell, who was he kidding? He had a thousand more questions, but he could tell Ben had shared just about all he planned to at that moment. He knew he should not push, but he could not help himself. He had to ask one last question. "What about law school? Are you still planning on coming back to Little Rock and starting in the fall?"
With a weak nod, Ben said, "At the moment, that is still the plan. I am not making any promises. If there is one thing I have learned in my twenty-three years, it is that life can change on a dime. That has certainly been the case in the last few weeks. I promise that you and Mom will be the first to know if those plans change."
Nodding, Bennett thought his son was more right than he ever imagined. Enveloping his son in a hug, he said, "I am proud of you,Ben. I trust you to do what is best for you and your child. Just know that your mom and I are here if you need us. Always."
Hugging his father back, Ben nodded. The two men stood tightly embraced for a second longer before breaking apart.
Stepping back, Bennett looked down as his watch buzzed. It was a text from Williams.
Have you made a decision yet? We really need to strike while the iron is hot. If your family is on board, I can have a reporter there tomorrow morning to begin the process. Please get back to me as soon as you can.
Bennett read the text, felt the old familiar stress, and fought back a wave of panic mixed with excitement. He texted back a quick note.
Understand. I am working on it. Will hopefully know something later tonight. I will text when I have a final answer.
He read his response and then added:
Am very interested but have to make sure everyone here is on board with it. Will talk soon.
