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Brilliant_Rock
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Bennifer II to say "I do"?; April 20, 2005
Ben Affleck and engagement rings go together like Michael Jackson and sleepovers, but that apparently hasn''t stopped him from slipping a knuckle-buckling diamond onto Jennifer Garner''s finger.
People reports the publicity-shy squeezes, who have been dating for about nine months, are engaged. And while neither Garner nor Affleck has officially confirmed the news, the mag says a "close friend" of the embattled Oscar winner is "spreading the word" that they are ready to take the plunge.
According to Star magazine, Affleck, 32, proposed to his "Daredevil" co-star shortly after a party celebrating her 33rd birthday Saturday afternoon at her Brentwood estate. He reportedly blinded her with a $500,000, 4.5-carat ring from Harry Winston, the same swanky jeweler who designed the 6.1-carat pink diamond sparkler he gave to Jennifer Lopez in 2002 (the company reacquired the infamous bauble earlier this year).
The tab claims Ben originally planned to pop the question at the cozy backyard bash, which was attended by about 50 friends and family, including Jen''s parents.
But after paparazzi swarmed outside and above the mansion (they snapped intrusive overhead shots of Affleck chatting with guests and an annoyed Garner looking skyward, giving them the stink eye), he purportedly altered his proposal scenario, instead asking for her hand after the get-together.
"Jen was bowled over and said yes," an insider blabs to the Star. "She''s wanted this for the longest time."
Which means she probably didn''t mind getting a slightly smaller rock than her predecessor. "Ben loves that Jen is so down-to-earth," another mole tells the mag. "He joked that she''d be happy with a ring from Sears."
When contacted by MSN Entertainment about the engagement reports, Affleck''s rep, Ken Sunshine, gave his standard response: He never comments on the newly buff and clean-shaven star''s personal life. Garner''s mouthpiece never got back to us.
Speculation that the birthday was going to be extra special was sparked after Ben was spied at an L.A. jeweler last week. Though he was photographed perusing the watch section, the Star claims this was just a ploy to distract nosy onlookers as he had the ring engraved.
The nuptial talk quickly kicked into overdrive after London''s News of the World detailed Affleck''s alleged plan to ask Garner to stay with him until the cold clammy hand of death parts them.
"It''s going to be a complete surprise for Jennifer," a source told the paper. "He''s arranged for the engagement ring to be packed in a box within a box within a box. The first is so big he''s hiring a truck to pick it up. Jennifer will think he''s bought her a car until she gets down to the last tiny package."
Sure, it sounds far-fetched, but keep in mind this is the guy who set the mood for his question-popping to Lopez by covering the floor of his childhood home with rose petals, lighting candles, putting on her song "I''m Glad," reading her a heartfelt letter and busting out that million-dollar-plus rose-hued solitaire ring. And we all know how that turned out. The original Bennifer (shudder) finally went belly up in January 2004, just four months after they called off their planned aisle walk.
Garner actually made it to the altar, but filed for divorce from Scott Foley in April 2003 after two and a half years of marriage. She later dated her "Alias" co-star Michael Vartan, and the aftermath of that failed relationship can be seen every week in their painfully awkward scenes together on the ABC spy series.
The actress, who is frequently shown covering her face when confronted by the ever-present paparazzi, should steel herself for a barrage of flashbulbs in the coming days as snappers go in for a close-up of her all-important finger.
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