I think Erica looks like the picture above with brighter eyes.

Erica's House
Living Room
9:00 AM
Saturday
June 13th

Ben's POV:
I woke up and saw Erica next to me. I'm so glad that, after all this time, we're together. I didn't move, I didn't want to. I wanted to stay like this forever. All I could think about was how amazing she was.

"What did I do to deserve someone like Erica.... She's sooo amazing, and I'm just a nerdy boy from D.C. I love her so much, but she deserves better. So much better. I love how strong and independent she can be, but I also really love how sweet and vulnerable she can be. I love her soft, shiny, dark hair that looks perfect no matter what. I love her ice blue eyes that sparkle in the light, but seem to glow at night. I love how I'm the first person she's felt she could trust, since Joshua, who betrayed her and broke her heart. I love how she got a car the same color as my eyes, because she didn't want to forget them. I love how I did the exact same thing that she did, with the exact same car. I love how she knows me and can tell what I'm feeling and how to help. I love her strong will and ability to do anything. I love how she is loyal and will do anything to protect what she cares about. I love how stubborn she can be. I love how fear can't get in her way, because she'll do it anyways. I love her smile that can light up the room, no, does light up the room. I love her laugh, it makes me feel like I can't be sad. I love her giggle, so sweet and cute, but so rare to hear. I love how smart and quick-thinking she is. I love how amazing she is. I love how her mom wants her to be happy and how she thinks I can make Erica happy. I love how her dad thinks of me like a son and how he tries his best to help. God, it would be faster to list things I don't love about her. In fact why don't I do that, oh wait, I can't because there isn't a single damn thing I don't love about her. I could die the happiest man ever, as long as I die with Erica, or even knowing that she likes me, some nerdy boy from D.C. What did I do to deserve her: she deserves so much more."

I thought, tears rolling down my cheeks. But then I heard something strange; it sounded like laughter. Erica looked up at me and stared into my eyes.

"Ben, you have saved my life and the world more times than I can remember, you helped me trust people again, and so much more. You don't need to think you deserve me; you need to know it. I love you and whether you think you deserve me or not, I know you do and that's all that matters. Hey, Ben, calm down...it's okay, I love you and I always have. But please, trust me, I love you and I don't want anyone but you." She said with a calm voice, hugging me and rubbing my back.

"Ben, I love you. I almost feel bad for recording you saying all that!" She laughed.

I looked up, "WHAT?"

"Well, when you lifted your head off of mine, I woke up and heard you say something about me so I recorded it because I couldn't hear you very well since you were whispering."

"I was whispering? I thought I was thinking it! I'm such an idiot!" I looked down to hide the fact that I looked like I fell in a bucket of red paint.

"Yeah, you were. But...I'm glad you were because a few days ago I was worried that you forgot me or didn't like me and that I missed my chance. But, now I know that I was wrong and was worried for no reason besides, I love you and felt that I wasn't good enough for you."

I looked up and whispered, "Really...how could I forget you? I've loved you since the second I saw you." I stopped crying and said, "Can you please delete it before you send it to anyone?"

"Well, about that...I already sent it to someone." She said sheepishly.

"What!?! Who?"

"Cyrus." She whispered.

"CYRUS!?! But he hates me and he's gonna hate me even more now that he knows we're dating. If I so much as make you sad, one tiny slip up, and I'm DEAD MEAT!"

"Calm down, I only sent it to him to prove that you really care about me."

"Ohhhhhh..." I face-palmed, laughing. "That would make sense, my bad." I said sheepishly.

"And, when I told him, I made him promise not to hurt you, unless you betray me like Joshua, then you really will be dead meat." She said giggling. "But I know you and I know you're not like him. So you should be pretty safe, for now."

I started laughing, "I'll be extra careful, and there's no way that I could ever betray anyone, let alone you." I hugged her, "I love you way too much for that."

"I know."

I smiled and I kissed her again, but, someone knocked on the door and had the key so they walked in to me with my arms around Erica's waist, kissing her on the couch, under a blanket with tears all over my face.

Catherine walked in, clearly surprised, and her face turned bright red, not with anger, but with embarrassment. We stopped kissing but I kept my arms around her shoulder and waist. We both turned a deep crimson. "Ahem...Hello sweetheart, hello Benjamin, so I believe this means that I was correct Erica?"

Erica smiled, "Yes..."

All I could get out was, "Oh...hey. It's good to see you." I waved awkwardly, and then moved my hand to behind my neck.

She smiled, "And it's great to see you!" She said cheerfully.

Did she not see me and her daughter kissing?

"To answer your question Benjamin, yes, I saw you two kissing, but I'm really happy for you. To be honest, I always hoped you two would be together."

"MOM!!!" Erica got even more embarrassed.

"So, you're not mad at me for kissing your daughter?"

She smiled mischievously and said, "Not as long as you answer a few questions."

"Ok...what?"

"Question 1, When was the first time you two kissed?"

"Oh no." I looked at Erica, unsure of what to do.

She responded, "5 minutes ago."

Catherine looked irritated, "I should have specified I want them answered honestly. I can tell that you're lying. Ben, when was it?" I looked between the two of them and saw Erica glare at me.

"Um, can I get a different question, I promised Erica I wouldn't tell anyone."

"No, I would like you tell me when it was." Erica looked at me and nodded.

"When we defused the nuclear bomb during Operation: Snow Bunny. We thought we didn't defuse it, so she kissed me because she didn't want me to freak out or have a bad last seconds on Earth." I muttered quietly.

She nodded, "Question 2, how many times have you two kissed?"

This time Erica murmured, "4."

"See, much easier. Question 3, Are you two dating, if so, for how long?"

"No! We're just friends mom."

"Erica, sweetie, you don't kiss your friends 4 times, and while I didn't see the other ones, this one was very passionate, and was very recent. Let's try again. Ben?"
"*sigh* Yea."

"How long?"

"Ummm...since yesterday."

"So the other two were yesterday. Before you ask me how I know that, I saw a security camera by the garage." We both blushed even more.

"Yea..."

"Anyways, question 4, have you gone on a date yet?"

"Well, yea, yesterday we went to Walmart and got some snacks and came home and watched "The Princess Bride."

"Okay, question 5, where did you sleep?"

"Well, we fell asleep watching the movie, so in here. That's why there's a blanket out." I said.

"Oh, together?"

"Yea."

"Okay, last question, for now. Why was Ben crying?"

"I would really rather not to answer that."

"Erica?"

"He said he doesn't want that answered, so I'm leaving it up to him."

Catherine got up and sat to my left, "Ben, you can tell me anything, you know that, right? What about that question is so embarrassing?"

"I was crying because I thought Erica was gonna leave me because I'm not good enough for her, ok!?! I yelled. "Sorry, it's just a sore subject." Erica hugged me again and buried her head in my neck.

"I told you to stop worrying about that! I love you and I'm not leaving you!"

I just pulled her closer and said, "But I'm never going to be good enough!"

I got up and walked into the guest bedroom, where I sat in the corner, crying.

I heard Erica yell at Catherine and say, "That's why I said not to push it! Now I don't know where he is and he's upset again! I had just calmed him down when you barged in and forced us to answer your questions! I was going to text you and tell you, but first, my boyfriend was really upset and was thinking about breaking up with me because he felt that he wasn't good enough for me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Catherine sounded hurt.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled, I'm just really worried about him."

"He's in the guest bedroom; go talk to him." Erica walked in and sat next to me.

"Ben, look at me. I love you. Please don't worry about it. Okay?" I looked up at her, and then right back down. "Ben, I really do love you. You know much I hate feelings, and I've been honest and said I love you numerous times, that's not easy, but I care about you so I am anyways." She set her arm around my shoulder. I looked up and she kissed me. She grabbed my hand and helped me up.

"C'mon we're going to get something." I said confidently. "Can I drive?"

"Sure." She said as she tossed me the keys. "We have to say goodbye to Catherine first though."

We said goodbye and explained the situation. Then we left and went to a place that I had wanted to go to for a while. The pound. We went and I told Erica to pick any dog and I would get it for her. I only said dog because I know she always wanted a dog. She chose a golden retriever without a name.

She named him Maverick Bear Hale-Ripley. Maverick because she always thought it was cool, Bear as a shortened form of Berica, and Hale-Ripley because he was our dog and we weren't married. We got supplies for him and we drove home. I asked her to drop me off at my house so could grab some of my stuff and my car. She asked me to stay with her for a while so I did. And then we got the notification. We were being activated, again!

Poor Catherine! Sorry if Erica seems way out of character, but I felt like it's been 5 1/2 years, and so she would be mostly thawed out!