AN: Finally, a new chapter! I've actually had this done and proofread for a few weeks now, but right around the time I finished, my grandma died. I haven't really been feeling in much of a creative mood since, but my mood's finally coming back up. Hopefully this will be the first of a string of new posts from me in the near-ish future.
AN2: Here we diverge some more from cannon in ways that I had dearly hoped would be addressed in later seasons but weren't. Oh well. Sorry, no Lucy or Edmund in this chapter, but they'll be back soon.
Thanks to all the great reviews I've gotten on this story so far! You guys are great! :)
Chapter Ten: How Do You Catch a Cloud?
Ben kept a close eye on Sister Astrid as he lugged boxes of candles down from the convent with his fellow dock workers, Chad, Darren, and Loren. Whoever had decided that his clumsy sister should be the one to get up on a ladder, of all things, needed to get her head checked. He was pretty sure it had been Mother Superior's call, as always, and Astrid could never bring herself to say no to the woman who had had a hand in raising both of them. He had just made up his mind to go over and help her out when someone else got there first.
"What's Leroy doing with your Sister Astrid?" asked Darren, pushing the floppy fringe of his chestnut hair out of his eyes.
"I don't know," said Ben, icy blue eyes narrowing suspiciously, "but I'm going to find out."
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Ten-year-old Astrid Newport had been the first person to hold little Benjamin Kingsley when he was abandoned on the convent steps one night deep in the heart of December. The baby, as far as the Sisters could tell, was only a few days old when young Astrid, heading out to fetch the morning paper, found him. Ben was a strong baby to have survived at least a few hours out in the frigid could of a Maine December wrapped only in a thick, red, woolen blanket.
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"So I think there might be something going on between my sister and Leroy."
Ruby groaned and rested her head on Ben's shoulder. "You're really killing the mood, honey," she said. "Are you sure you wanna talk about this now?"
Ben smiled sheepishly at his girlfriend. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to; I just can't get over it. Astrid's a nun, for Christ's sake! I'm not supposed to have to worry about my nun sister falling in love with anyone, let alone Leroy!"
Ruby sighed and lifted her head from his shoulder. "Leroy's not as bad as everyone makes him out to be," she said. "He's actually kinda sweet, under that gruff exterior."
"That's not the point!" said Ben, rolling onto his back in the bed and flinging his arms up. "The point is that Astrid's a nun; she shouldn't be having romantic feelings for anyone!"
"Maybe they're just friends," said Ruby, rolling onto her side so that she could trace patterns on Ben's bare chest. "Nuns are allowed to have friends. Have you talked to her about this?"
"No," admitted Ben sheepishly.
"I didn't think so," said Ruby with a knowing smirk. "I know you, Ben, and you have a tendency to make assumptions first and ask questions later. Maybe you should try something new this time."
"But it's Astrid," protested Ben. "I can't just sit back idly and do nothing."
"You've never been idle a day in your life," said Ruby. "You just need to relax, baby." She slowly ran her hands up his bare chest, eliciting a shiver from the younger man. "Let me take care of you, Ben. You don't always have to be in control of everything."
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Astrid found herself drawn to little Ben. She had lived in the convent that occasionally doubled as an orphanage for as long as she could remember and planned to take her vows as soon as she was old enough. With Ben, though, she found something that she'd never realized she was missing: a family. She took it upon herself to care for the little orphaned boy and in return he loved her as big sister and a pseudo-mother all rolled into one. When the Sisters praised her for her good deeds, she simply smiled a little half smile and combed her long fingers through little Ben's blonde hair. He wasn't a charity case to her or something to gain the Sister's praise. Little Ben was simply her brother in everything but blood.
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"Hi Ben!" said Astrid happily, waving wildly and smiling brightly at the blonde haired man. "Have you heard the good news?"
"Mr. Gold decided to waive your rent this month?" suggested Ben, setting the down the heavy box of supplies beside her table.
"No, silly," said the twiggy brunette. "Leroy and Mary-Margaret sold all of our candles!"
"Did they now?" said Ben, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"Leroy just told me," she said, dark eyes bright with happiness. "We'll make rent this month after all, Ben!" She pulled the taller man into a tight hug.
"I'll have to thank him personally," said Ben, his gaze sharpening toward the short handyman. He smelled something fishy, and it wasn't the lingering scent from working the docks.
"Be nice, Ben," Astrid said sternly, catching on to the way that the blonde was looking Leroy. "He's been a big help; he's actually a sweetheart once you talk to him."
"So I've heard," Ben said dryly.
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Astrid took her vows when she turned eighteen. As she stood with Mother Superior and Father Dubois she couldn't help but glance out at the congregation. There, sitting in the very front row wearing a smile that stretched from ear to ear and into his sparkling blue eyes, was little Ben. She couldn't help but grin back; a genuine, face-splitting grin. Mother Superior did not approve, but Astrid thought she saw a small smile on Father Dubois kindly, old face. None of that mattered to her, though, because all she needed was her little Ben supporting her as she fulfilled her lifelong dream.
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"Ben, you've spent more time tonight staring at Leroy than me," complained Ruby, huffing loudly. "This is supposed to be our date night; leave the drunk alone with his beer and pay attention to your loving, hot girlfriend."
Ben blushed sheepishly and focused his attention back on his girlfriend. "Sorry, Ruby," he said. "I'm just worried about Astrid. I've never seen her so smitten before. I just want to be sure that if she's going to give up everything she's worked her whole live for, it's for someone who's worthy of her."
Ruby's face softened and she laid her hand on Ben's arm, squeezing gently. "You're a good brother, Ben," she said, "but it's Astrid's life. You've got to let her make her own decisions, mistakes and all."
Ben sighed. "I know," he said, "but she's my sister. I just worry about her."
"I know you care, Ben," said Ruby, "but you've got to let this go and trust your sister…like I trust mine."
"Well, when you put it like that, it sounds so logical."
"I have my moments," said Ruby, a smirk on her scarlet lips. Ben grinned back and leaned over the table to kiss her soundly, all thoughts of Astrid and Leroy forgotten…for the moment.
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Ben had been homeschooled at the convent that doubled as an orphanage (though there were never more than ten children residing there; usually far less) for all of his young life. When he was almost eleven, he came to Astrid, begging her to get Mother Superior to let him go to school in town with children his own age. Astrid knew how lonely it could be at the convent as a child (especially since little Ben was the only boy out of the six children currently residing there). She went to Mother Superior on multiple occasions for weeks, imploring her to allow little Ben to leave the convent and venture into town.
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"I can't believe him," said Astrid, unshed tears shining in her dark brown eyes. "I trusted him."
"Oh Astrid," sighed Ben, gently tugging the older woman down onto the couch beside him and pulling her into his arms, "I'm so sorry."
Astrid rested her head on her brother's shoulder. "I know you don't really like him," she said sadly, "but he was so sweet. I really thought he was a good person. What am I going to do now, Ben? We'll never make rent this month now and it's all my fault!"
"You know I'll help out however I can," said Ben, "but I'm no miracle worker."
That earned him a small smile from his sister. "I never expected you to be," said Astrid. "You're a grown man now Ben; you have your own life to live. You shouldn't have to deal with my screw-ups anymore."
"You're my sister though, Astrid, and you'll always be my sister. I'll always do whatever I can to help you," he promised.
"How could I let this happen?" she sniffed, wiping the tears from her cheek with the back of her hand.
"You didn't let anything happen, Astrid," said Ben soothingly. "You're a naturally trusting person, that's all. That's not a bad thing, big sis. It's one of your best qualities, but…sometimes people take advantage of you because of it."
Astrid sniffed. "I know," she sobbed. "I just can't seem to do anything right."
"Oh, Astrid," sighed Ben, "that's the furthest thing from the truth. I think you did a pretty great job of raising me."
"Yeah, well look at what I had to work with," she said, a small smile appearing on her delicate face.
"I am pretty awesome, aren't I?" said Ben, smirking at Astrid.
She whacked him lightly on the arm. "Ben!"
"What? It's not like I'm lying or anything," he said cheekily. "You're the one who always tells me I'm the best little brother in the whole world. I even have the coffee mug to prove it."
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It was just after little Ben's eleventh birthday (the day that Astrid had found him on the convent steps) when Mother Superior relented. Little Ben would be allowed to attend school in town after Christmas break—on the condition that Astrid would be responsible for seeing him to and from school (the bus didn't run near the convent as the Sisters generally taught the orphans themselves). Astrid happily agreed, even offering to be his guardian for the school records (which Mother Superior agreed to as if it had been her plan all along), and ran off to tell little Ben the good news.
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"The decorations look really nice this year, Astrid," said Ben. "You did a great job."
"Thanks, Ben," said Astrid, her smile not quite reaching her dark eyes. "I only hope we can raise enough money to meet Mr. Gold's rent. I don't know what we'll do if we can't."
"Isn't this where Mother Superior tells you that 'God will provide?'" said Ben with a wry smile.
"She would, except she blames me for this," said Astrid, her lips falling into a slight frown. She glanced wistfully over at the booth that was selling the convent's candles. "He's not even there."
Ben sighed and pulled his tall sister close, under his arm, and rested his head on hers. "I'm sorry, sis," he said. "I really wish things had been different."
Without warning, all the lights at the festival blinked out, plunging the convent grounds into darkness. "What was that?" asked Astrid, wide eyes searching the grounds frantically.
"I'm not sure," said Ben, doing the same. His eyes alighted on the candle booth and a smile slowly spread across his face. "Actually, I have an inkling."
"What?"
"You know how you always say that God will provide?" he said.
"Yes? What's that have to do with this?" asked Astrid.
Ben gently turned his sister so that she was facing the candle booth, where Mary-Margaret was selling candles left and right to frantic Storybrooke citizens. "I think this is Him providing for you, Astrid."
"Or His angel," she said, a soft smile on her lips as Leroy joined the school teacher at the booth to help her sell the candles.
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Little Ben was ecstatic. The rest of Christmas break creaked by with the speed of a tortoise for the boy. Finally school resumed as January rolled in. That first day, little Ben was ready to go hours before most students were even awake. He practically vibrated with nervous energy all the way through breakfast and his excitement was almost tangible the entire, albeit short, car ride into town. His icy blue eyes were wide with wonder as he took in the landmarks that most residents took for granted: Granny's Diner, Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop, the clock tower stuck perpetually at 8:15. This was his first time outside of the convent grounds and he savored every moment. In almost no time, they reached the school and Astrid parked the car in the guest lot. Astrid and little Ben climbed out of the car together and she hugged him close as he stared in wonder at the large building and the flock of children wandering in.
"Welcome to Storybrooke, little Ben."
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"Go on," said Ben, gently pushing Astrid toward the candle booth where Leroy and Mary-Margaret were putting up a SOLD OUT sign.
Ben cleared his throat, causing the two Storybrooke outcasts to look up. "Astrid," said Leroy, staring at her with longing in his dark eyes. He turned back to grab a lock-box and presented it to her. "Here you go; five thousand dollars, as promised. I'm sorry I lied to you."
Astrid took the box. "Oh Leroy," she said. "Thank you." She stepped toward him and pulled the shorter man into a hug. "This means so much to me—to all of us, really."
Ben's smile slowly turned to shock as his sister—his shy, predictable nun sister—kissed Leroy full on the mouth. Apparently he wasn't the only one who saw either. "Sister Newport, just what do you think you're doing?"
Astrid, Leroy, and Ben all jerked their heads around and saw a scowling Mother Superior standing not three feet from them. "M-mother Superior," Astrid stuttered nervously, "I can explain."
"I dearly hope so," the delicate, stern-faced woman snapped. "This is not acceptable behavior for one of the Lord's servants."
"Mother Superior—"
"Keep out of this, Benjamin," said the older woman sharply. "This doesn't concern you."
Ben gathered his courage and faced her head on. "Actually, it does," he said, blue eyes blazing passionately. "Astrid might not be my sister by blood, as you so often remind us, but she's my sister at heart and that's what really counts. If Leroy makes her happy then, God help me, I stand behind them one hundred percent."
Mother Superior's dark eyes blazed with fury. She turned her fierce gaze on the couple in question. "Is this what you choose, Sister Newport? You would abandon your commitment to the Lord for the town drunk and this boy?"
"Mother Superior," said Astrid, her voice uncharacteristically strong, "while I appreciate everything you have done for me over the years, I am a grown woman able to make my own choices. I've been unhappy for a while now, Mother, and I've prayed extensively over this. This is not a decision I make lightly, nor is it based solely on my affection for a man. I'm not meant for this life; I see this now. I thank you for raising me and giving me a chance to serve the Lord, but I cannot continue down this path. Do what you will to me; my decision will not change."
"So be it," said Mother Superior stiffly. "You have one hour to gather your belongings and say your goodbyes, then you must leave the convent and never return." Before Astrid could respond, Mother Superior had turned on her heel and was stalking back into the convent.
Astrid quickly deflated after Mother Superior left. "D-Did I just do that?" she stuttered.
"If you mean you gave ol' Mom Supes what-for, then yes," said Ben plainly.
"I've told you time and again not to call her that, Ben," said Astrid automatically, the response ingrained in her after so many years of telling him off for such disrespect.
Ben rolled his eyes. "Seriously, sis, learn to take a compliment," he said. "So, what are your plans from here?"
Realization dawned in Astrid's dark eyes. "I have nowhere to go," she said frantically. "What am I going to do, Ben?"
Ben pulled his sister out of Leroy's arms and into his own. "You're going to come live with me for a while, Astrid," he said. "It's my turn to take care of you, for a change."
"Thanks, Ben," said Astrid, leaning her brunette head on his shoulder. "I'm so lucky to have you as my brother."
"Well, you picked me, Astrid."
"Yes, I do have good taste, don't I?"
Ben smiled and kissed to top her head lovingly. "Don't ever change, Astrid. You're amazing just the way you are."
Chad Noah Collins, dock worker (27): David Kawena (Lilo & Stitch)
Darren Pietrovitch, dock worker (25): Dimitri (Anastasia)
Loren Tait, dock worker: Sir Tristan (King Arthur Legend)
Father François Dubois, Catholic Priest: Archdeacon of Notre Dame (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Also, the poll stands thusly:
Edmund/Merida: 16
Lucy/Jack Frost: 12
Lucy/Peter Pan: 9
Edmund/Wendy: 7
Lucy/Billy Turner: 7
Edmund/Tuffnut: 3
Edmund/Lilo: 3
Lucy/Prince Ralphie: 1