Hey, sorry it's a little later but I had barely slept recently and took a 3 hour nap after all my hw was done so I just wrote this.

*Mike, Zoe, Ben, Erica, Chip, Jawa*

Chip: Hey guys!

Ben: Hey Chip

Erica: Hello

Zoe: Hii

Mike: Heyy

Jawa: Hi Chip

Chip: Guess what!

Erica: What?

Chip: I heard Ben is-

Ben: CHIP SHUT UP PLEASE

Chip: Why?

Ben: Chip, private chat NOW
           No one hack in PLEASE

Zoe: It's clearly important so I won't

Mike: Me neither

Jawa: You tell us when you want but I won't hack in

Ben: Thanks guys
           Erica?

Erica: ...

Ben: Please just trust me. 

Erica: ... 

Ben: You'll find out soon but I want to be able to tell/show you how I plan to

Erica: ... ugh fine.

Ben: Thank you my beautiful girlfriend

Erica: Promise you're not cheating on me?

Ben: Erica I could never 
           Not on anyone ever
           And certainly not you
           I love you and have since you tackled me during the SASCA's
           I promise I'm not cheating on you 
           Not now, not EVER

Erica: Okay :)
             You can go and I won't hack in
             I'm trusting you. 
             DON'T MESS IT UP

Ben: I won't

Ben and Chip left the chat

Chip: So why can't I tell them?

Ben: Catherine told me Erica's birthday is tomorrow 

Chip: Wait really?

Ben: Yep. I've been planning for it all week

Chip: So you went to buy decorations and presents?

Ben: Exactly
           And the big one that I'm sure you were going to tell her about is selected and waiting for me to pick it up tomorrow afternoon.
           Along with food and drinks

Chip: Ohhh okay I won't tell her then

Ben: Thank you

Ben and Chip have rejoined the chat

Erica: Ben; what did you do?

Ben: Nothing

Erica: BEN; WHAT DID YOU DO?

Ben: Erica?

Erica: Yeah?

Ben: Do you trust me?

Erica: ... yes.

Ben: Please just trust me E? I promise it's not a bad thing

Erica: ... fine. But if I find out you're lying to me-

Ben:  You will say you're gonna hunt me down and kill me

Erica: Huh?

Ben: You always say you'll kill me but we all know you won't

Erica: Excuse me?

Ben: We all know ya love me

Erica: ...

Ben: And I'm too dorky and adorable to kill

Erica: Yeah and humble too

Zoe: Lolll

Mike: Lmaooo

Erica: Ben you better not be lying to me

Ben: I swear I'm not

Chip: It's not bad Erica I promise

Erica: Fine

The next day

3:00 AM: Ben woke up and carefully slid out of bed, being sure not to wake Erica up. He quietly decorated the whole room. He made it look amazing and put the presents out before sliding back into bed carefully. 

8:00 AM: Erica woke up on top of Ben and kissed him good morning. They got up and her jaw dropped when she saw the room. 

"How?"

"How what?"

"How did you know and how did you do this without waking me up?"

"Who said I did it?"

She punched him in the shoulder.

"Owch. Fine, your mom told me. And I woke up at 3 am, slid out of bed, and decorated."

"3 am? But you hate waking up, even for important stuff during missions."

"True, but you are more important."

"Awww..." She walked over and hugged him. "Thank you baby."

"Don't worry bout it sweetheart." He said with a smile.

"You watch too much TikTok." She joked.

"Well, you also knew the reference so clearly, I'm not the only one."

"Touche."

They spent the whole morning laughing and hanging out until it was time for lunch. She'd opened the presents and got things like extra utility belts, weapons, spy suits, etc. Ben took her out to his car and he opened the door for her. 

"Hop in." She raised her eyebrow but got in.

He drove her to Panera and they went in and ordered. She started to grab her wallet when he took her hands and pulled his own out.

"That won't be necessary."

"Ben-"

"Don't. You're not going to change my mind."

"Fine."

They took their food and got in the car. Ben drove again and soon Erica realized they weren't going back to the academy.

"Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"You're going the wrong way."

"I know. We have a stop to make first."

"Okay?"

"Yep."

10 minutes later, they arrived in front of a small building, labeled 'Pet Store.'

"You didn't." He looked at her with a smirk.

"I did. Follow me."

He led her back to where the animals were and to the counter.

"Name of you and the animal?" The lady asked.

"Ben Ripley, here for Buddy."

"Ah, yes. I remember talking to you on the phone. Let me go grab him."

She walked to the back and brought back a very small golden retriever.

"Awww... how old is he?"

"1 month. He's real sweet too." The lady said as she handed him to Ben, who turned and looked at her.

"Surprise! He's our puppy." He grinned.

"I always wanted a-"

"I know. Your mom also told me that too."

He handed it to her and she grinned. She threw her arms around Ben's neck.

"Thank you."

"Don't worry bout it. Don't worry bout it sweetheart." He said as she laughed and shook her head. "Now, let's go pick out some toys, a bed, food, water bowls, etc."

"Wait, was this the surprise?"

"Yep. Chip somehow found out and I needed to make sure he didn't tell you because it would ruin the surprise. Which is why I asked you to trust me."

"I'm glad I did." She said as she slid her hand into his.

"Me too. Dying didn't sound too fun." He said with a laugh.

After they'd picked out and paid for all the stuff they went back to his room.

*Mike, Zoe, Ben, Erica, Chip, Jawa*

Ben: Guys, come to my room now. Erica's already here.

Chip, Jawa, Zoe, Mike: Be there in a sec, why?

Ben: Wanna show you sum.

When they all arrived, Mike and Chip noticed the decorations, and Zoe and Jawa noticed the dog's stuff.

"Wait a second-"

Erica walked in holding Buddy.

"Meet Buddy. He's our new puppy."

"OHMYGOD." Zoe said.

"He's adorable." Jawa noticed.

"Wait, why though?" Mike asked.

"It's my birthday." Erica said with a smile.

"I heard Ben talking to the pet store lady on the phone when I walked by and realized he was getting a pet. Which is what I was going to tell you guys."

"Ohhhhh."

"Yup." Ben said. "Now, let's party!"

They all had a great time all night and Erica looked happier than any of them had seen since Ben had asked her out.