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[singingdrummer]

 The night Ben had worked hard for finally arrived; his first big concert as a solo artist. No more hiding behind a drum kit, hoping it was him in the spotlight. And he really couldn't have achieved it without Meredith and her neverending love and support. 

The one thing he hadn't told her was that tonight he'll perform the special song he wrote during their time apart. It'll no doubt be a meaningful moment for both of them, emotional too. With one more kiss on Meredith's lips he climbed up onto the stage to the welcoming screams of his fans.

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[singingdrummer]

Ben looked at his fiancée quite a few times as he sang, but when it came time for the big surprise he kept his eyes fixed on hers. He wanted to see her reaction when she recognizes the song.

"It's time for something special," he began the introduction. "A few days after I left Swipe and the town altogether, I sat down with my guitar and thought about this amazing woman called Meredith. I'm sure you all know who she is by now. I'd hope so." He chuckled.

"This song has a special meaning for both of us. A personal piece in many ways.. Let's get to it shall we?" And with that, Ben began to play the first notes.

[highfidelity]

Meredith was just blinking for a second. Mostly because the mention of her name had everyone around her staring at her, and she felt kind of uncomfortable with everyone looking at her. But that melted away as soon as he started playing and she was able to recognize the song right away. Think back immediately to the first night she saw him again, and he had played it for her on the couch. She was trying not to cry, but it was a hard battle.

[singingdrummer]

Ben's eyes never left her as the performed the song, meaning every single word he sang. The memories from their first time seeing again after all that time apart came back to him. She had become his world and he'd keep his promise to cherish her with everything he had.

[highfidelity]

Meredith was fighting back tears by the time he got to the end. She wasn't sobbing but it was obvious that there were stray tears rolling down her cheeks. She hurriedly reached up trying to wipe them away before anybody noticed. Mouthing to him that she loved him, just happy for his success regardless of whether or not it involved her.

[singingdrummer]

He mouthed those words right back to her. Everything so far had been a dream come true and Ben felt lucky to share it all with Meredith. The moment he got off the stage, he seeked her out backstage and scooped her up for a long kiss.

"Hey you."

[highfidelity]

"Hey."

Meredith smiled tenderly at him, reaching up to brush his hair back off his forehead from where it had fallen. She adored him in ways she never thought it was possible to care about someone, especially someone so different from herself. But she was proud of him, not just for his career success but moreso for becoming a better man.

"I'm so proud of you. How do you feel?"

[singingdrummer]

"I feel like everything's in its right place."

Part of it was thanks to Meredith. She gave him the push he needed to better his ways and strip off the rockstar persona. Now they're getting married and life couldn't be any better.

"I'm so lucky to have you by my side."

[highfidelity]

"Thank you for saying that."

Meredith appreciated the kind words. It was part of the change she saw in him since he had come back. Taking the time to remind her she was important. Not that he hadn't thought that before but now he said it and made sure she heard it. The man she was going to marry was completely different from the one she'd dated before.

"So what do you want to do with the rest of your big night?"

[singingdrummer]

"I'll be honest, Meredith.. I was a mess before you came into my life. I thought the rockstar lifestyle was the only way. But all it did was make me hate myself and what I'd become."

She meant the world to him and he'd make sure to cherish her every single day. She deserved the best.

"We should take some time to ourselves. Let's lose the crowd."

[highfidelity]

“Sure, if you know how to get out of there without anyone noticing.” Meredith laughed softly. “We are kinda recognizable now.”

[singingdrummer]

"Leave it to me. I've done this a few times by now," Ben grinned, taking her by the hand and heading for the back exit. He turned to face her once they got out, leaning in for a kiss. "You look so beautiful tonight."

[highfidelity]

"Thank you." Meredith smiled up at him. She had left her hair down and dressed up as this was an important, special occasion for him; not to mention people looked at her everywhere she went now, so she was much more conscious of her appearance and wanting to put on an image. "I'm just really glad things worked out for you. Whether or not it was with me, I wanted you to be happy."

That was what had motivated her. She hadn't known if they'd be able to reconcile, but she had wanted better for him if nothing else.

[singingdrummer]

"The way the light hit you made you look like an angel in the audience," Ben returned the smile, caressing her cheek. "I'm the happiest I've been in years. Making music has never felt this good before, I've never been so inspired."

Meredith was his muse in everything he did now. She had inspired him to become a better man.

[highfidelity]

“You always flatter me, Ben.” Meredith blushed slightly as they walked to his convertible. “You did all the hard work to make this possible. I just gave you a hard shove.”

[singingdrummer]

"A much needed hard shove it was too." Ben nodded, opening the car door for her. He could hardly remember the man he used to be and that was only a good thing. "Let's go celebrate, baby."

[highfidelity]

"Depends on what your definition of celebrating is these days." Meredith chuckled. The old Ben would have been out at some wild party and that was not her at all. Nor had it ever been. Sometimes she wondered what he saw in her when they had been so different. "You know sometimes I wonder what you ever saw in me that night? I was like the anti-you."

[singingdrummer]

"I guess that's what attracted me. You were so grounded and not having any of my crap. Not to mention how absolutely smashing you look."

He buckled up and started the drive back. The old Ben would've gone to a party but it wasn't his priority anymore. There was something better sitting next to him, and he wanted to give her all of his attention.

[highfidelity]

"Well thank you." That made Meredith smile; what woman wouldn't want to be complimented on her looks? Certainly she liked it because she'd never seen herself as the sexy type men like him would go for. She covered his hand on the shifter with hers and relaxed as he drove them home. This was the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with.

[singingdrummer]

To Ben she was the absolute sexiest. She had him on his toes in the best way, and he found himself falling for her harder each day. He glanced at Meredith when she covered his hand with hers and smiled at her. "I dreamed about you last night. We were about to get married and it was perfect."

[highfidelity]

"You dream about me often?" Meredith said, somehow surprised to hear that though she shouldn't be. Considering they spent so much time together. But she smiled sheepishly. "I guess we really should get back to the wedding. We've been so busy with work we don't even have a date yet."

[singingdrummer]

"Sometimes. Not all of them are clean," Ben chuckled sheepishly. He never had any problems with admitting he had fantasies about her. "How do you feel about Spring? Or if we're feeling spontaneous, we could do it this summer."

[highfidelity]

"I don't care when we do it, just whatever gives us enough time to put it together. I don't even know what you want." Meredith chuckled. "Just please can we do something that doesn't have our whole wedding party showing up in jeans and T-shirts."

[singingdrummer]

"Something fun. People will dress nicely, I promise." Ben chuckled. He'd tell his friends to go out and rent suits if they don't own one already. Meredith deserved a beautiful wedding. "I've got a few ideas for my outfit. As for everything else, I'm a simple man but I want you to have anything you want." He cupped her cheek, smiling at her.

[highfidelity]

"Well, it doesn't have to be a big deal. Just something nice." She blushed shyly thinking about it. "I mean, this is a big, important day for us. Hopefully it's something we'll never do again. And knowing how famous you are now, we can't say it won't end up in the papers."

[singingdrummer]

"Something nice," Ben promised. "There are a bunch of nice wedding dress shops here." She was right in saying the media might follow their wedding closely. "We'll find a way to prevent it from turning into a media circus."

[highfidelity]

"I don't need anything too posh. I'm only going to be wearing this once. Maybe twice," Meredith replied. As they finally arrived home she unlocked the door and held it for her fiance, turning on the lights. "We have to fit it into your touring schedule too. There's a lot we haven't even discussed yet."

She sighed as she slipped off her shoes and let her hair down. "I am starving. Are you hungry?"

[singingdrummer]

"Home sweet home," Ben sighed as he took a seat. He admired his fiancée for a moment, smiling at her. "I'm starving, too. Should we order in, or cook? It'll be easier discussing wedding details with full tummies."

[highfidelity]

“What are you, ten?” Meredith laughed at his choice of words. “It depends on what you want. It’s your big night. I can cook if you want.”

[singingdrummer]

Ben laughed too, realizing he really sounded like a little kid. "Sometimes I'm not so sure. But it's true nonetheless." He thought about it for a moment. "How about what we ate on our first night living together? It'd be a nice trip down memory lane."

[highfidelity]

“I’ll call the Chinese place.” She laughed softly. “You’re so cute.@

[singingdrummer]

"Brilliant." He watched as she called the place, smiling to himself. The memories from their first night living together came back vividly.

[highfidelity]

She smiled at him before she went to make the phone call and order their usual from the Chinese place a few minutes away. It was what they'd ended up ordering after most of the pot roast had gone ignored by the sheer shock of him showing up on her doorstep when she'd thought she'd never see him again.

"It'll be here in like 20 minutes," she called. "I'm going to go shower and get changed. Do you mind?"

Of course, Ben was also liable to join her in the shower, as cheeky as he could often get.

[singingdrummer]

"I don't mind at all, love."

There'd be a trip down memory lane while they ate. Ben had no regrets about coming back to fight for their relationship, and he's glad Meredith gave him another chance.

He didn't hesitate for a second to join her, grinning as he hugged her waist from behind.

[highfidelity]

Meredith laughed softly when she heard him come in behind her. It really wasn't a surprise. She finished cleaning up and moved so he could get under the water.

"I'm proud of you," she reminded him, getting his back for him. "Tonight was huge for you. You've worked long and hard to get here."