Proud.

That was the perfect word to describe it.

Proud. Rey Solo was feeling proud of herself. She had no recollection of feeling that satisfied professionally ever before, though she had probably felt maybe even better, but so far, as a woman who had returned from the dead, it was enough. It was great. Feeding the children and having fun with them and selling cookies with Rose was satisfying in its own manner but at a more personal level. This , however, was something else.

After Ben and she made up, she had foolishly hoped for a moment that it was finally going to happen. Ben was finally going to be hers and he would reclaim her body as his. However, the ring on her finger had no effect on his strong stance, because once Bee was fed and got acquainted with her new bed and toys, he hid in his study once more. There was no doubt that he was still upset, and he was in his right to be that way after her stupid mouth ended up almost ruining everything… again.

But even risking taking him for granted, she relaxed knowing that no matter how grumpy her husband was, he would always forgive her. Or at least for the moment, she was sure he would give her and their relationship one more chance. Otherwise, a few hours later, when Rey was enjoying herself in their fancy bathtub, Ben would have left as soon as he walked in on her rubbing her naked body with a sponge. Instead, he stood there, looking at her naked body barely covered in foam, and waiting for her to give him her consent. So she took a wrinkled hand out of the water and reached for him. Seconds later, he was in the water, still wearing his clothes and looking incredibly sexy.

She watched him run his wet fingers through his hair and lick his lips.

"I feel like I should say something, but I have no idea what," she smiled shyly.

"Then don't," he said relaxed.

"I can't."

They looked at each other, then they both laughed.

"I guess I am just really excited about my new baby," she admired her ring, then proudly showed it to her husband, who rolled his eyes amused.

"Speaking of babies… How are the kids?" he changed the subject.

Rey put her foot on his thigh, watching closely his microexpressions.

"Positive. Sometimes I wish I were like them."

"Well… you used to be like them."

Rey gave him a deadly glare.

"Positive, I mean," he smiled. "How can you expect to handle everything if you get upset over someone like Phasma?"

She had hoped he wouldn't bring it up.

"I know… I was a fool…"

"At least you can count on being the most adorable fool I've ever met."

He put his hand on her ankle and rubbed it gently, though his eyes were focused on Rey's slender neck, the few darker freckles on her chest, making her skin look like a star map, and her beautiful breasts he was barely keeping himself from touching.

"The kids missed you," she said and Ben flinched once she moved and put her other foot on his thigh. "I mean… I am fun , but according to them, Ben is the most awesomest. We might start a fan club soon."

"Yeah, it would help a lot."

Considering how probably the entire town was against him and believing him a murderer? Perhaps. But now people knew that she was alive and well and back in his arms, so while not everyone would understand and admit their mistreatment towards Ben, at least Ben himself could end up feeling once again at home in that place, without having to work miles away or hide in the house all the time. Without having to run away from her…

"Ben," she uttered coming closer. "Tell me more, please. About me. About us."

"Like what?"

"Like… I don't know… tell me about our first date. You told me that we went to see the animals, didn't get to ride the horses, ate bread and took a walk. What else? What did you like the most?"

"I…" he chuckled. "I don't really know. It was very cute somehow. I was nervous after our first time, so I was a little bit too talkative, which was a mess coming from me. But I didn't want you to hate me or overthink how much of a shitty boyfriend I was and change your mind. So at some point, you got distracted with the animals and it was so great," he laughed embarrassed. "We had fun, then we got hungry and your judgemental perfect little ass had to criticise even how the slices of bread were cut."

"I would never!" she splashed him.

"Well you did!" he splashed her back. "And ate all the tomatoes. I swear you don't have a stomach, but a black hole."

"I like eating!" she laughed and Ben put his healthy arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Rey landed on his chest, giggling all flustered.

"Well, I like eating too, but with you eating all of the food, I am not left with much and have to eat other things."

Rey bit her lip and touched the corner of his mouth with a wrinkled finger. She could see the playfulness in his eyes but had no idea how much the wet strands of hair escaping from her messy bun were turning him on. Ben parted his lips, inviting Rey to kiss him, which she did hastily before he would change his mind.

"Rey…" he moaned and Rey's eyes grew wider.

"What did we do after the date?"

"Umm…" he rubbed his eyes. "We went back home and because none of us could sleep yet, you asked me to stay with you, in your bedroom. I remember how adorable you were in that old fashioned nightgown, hugging your knees and too shy to look at me. I was just too in love to accept the possibility of you hating me, so I stayed with you, trying my best to make you feel comfortable until…"

"Until what?"

"Until we were both kissing and cuddling and your hand was in my pants and mine under your gown," he scratched his ear observing her tilting her head.

"We had sex?"

"No," he shook his head leaving Rey completely fascinated with the waterdrops caught in his curls. "But it sure was amazing."

And it could be again , she thought cupping his face and caressing his cheeks. She stared up at him. His eyes were as hungry as hers. So she let out a whimper and devoured his mouth as if seeking to become one with him to feel complete again.

"Rey," he moaned again aching to touch her. "I'm so tired."

"Oh," she pulled back disappointed, rubbing her fingers up his arms, under his wet T-shirt, to his shoulders. "Do you need help getting changed?"

Ben touched the front of his teeth with the tip of his tongue and chuckled amused at his wife's confused face.

"Tired of holding it back."

He licked his lips nervously, but with his eyes glimmering full of excitement and hope.

"What I meant, Rey-Rey, is that I am… umm… ready. If you ever want to make love, I want you to know that I am tired of holding it back and pretending that I am not dying to touch you. I love you the most, sweetheart. I can't waste any more time on doubts and fears."

Rey let out a sigh and blinked quickly. Why was she feeling so sad so suddenly? It was she had wished for in the past week and since returning home. It was what she had hoped for the entire night as soon as Ben slid the ring up her finger.

As if sensing her inner struggle, Ben soothed her with kisses on her neck until she closed her eyes and let herself enjoy their intimacy.

"I love you," she moaned letting her hand slid between his legs, groping what she believed to finally be the proof of his desire. With her other hand, she took him by the wrist, leading his healthy hand between her legs. The rest, the gentle strokings and the finger sliding inside, soon followed by another, were all his doing. Gasping for air, she clutched at him, her eyes never leaving his.

"These are amazing! Oh, we sure did miss you!"

Rey woke up from her reverie and looked at the woman wearing cat eyeglasses and a peach silk dress and holding a planner. Even though she was talking to her, her entire attention was being dedicated to the sweets before her. She licked her lips and stole a macaron, devouring it in just a few seconds.

"Don't tell Dahlia," she giggled. "Oh, I'm Tessa with the emails. We've met before, but in case you don't remember me…"

Rey shook her hand with a friendly smile. No side-eyes, no whispers, no mean remarks.

"I actually don't, so thanks." she chuckled. "And thank you so much for contacting me. I've been back for just a few weeks and I'm trying to get back my old life."

"I've heard," the young woman gave her a pitiful smile. "Dahlia was so upset the last time we contacted you for a party and got no reply. We later saw it on the internet. Are you ok now?"

"Umm yeah," she nodded a bit uncomfortable. "My husband, brother and best friend have been of so much help."

"That's great! Good for you! And for us!" chuckled Tessa. "Dahlia will be delighted to taste all of these."

Rey smiled unsure what to say. It was a bit awkward for her to be all alone between strangers without Ben or Rose or anyone else. Though, with Ben asking her to text him every couple of minutes, it didn't feel as if he weren't actually physically present. Not that texting him helped her with her aching heart. She longed to be by his side and let him pamper her and pepper her with kisses. Or maybe she was the one who had to pamper him after all that he did for her.

After their interesting time spent together in the bathtub, she helped Ben change his clothes and went downstairs to check on Bee. The kitten was sleeping peacefully with a plush ball between her paws and with head on her bed and the rest on the floor. The two watched her for a while as a pair of two proud parents, then they decided to let her sleep. So Rey made some hot chocolate and put on a plate the cupcakes she had brought from the cafe, then ran upstairs with Ben and spent the rest of the night talking sweet nothings and being totally in love. That was how her marriage had been before her disappearance and no one could tell her otherwise. Ben loved her and she loved him, they would take care of Bee and adopt some more pets, then Ben would quit his job and join her and Rose, then, after they were sure their wounds were properly healed and they were more financially stable, they would finally have their baby… and maybe adopt another. Anna was a sweet child and she seemed to like them.

Rey shook her head and grabbed a slice of white chocolate mango cheesecake, taking a large bite. It was so delicious! Everything was delicious because she had the best help in the world - Mr Ben Solo.

After the day she had, Rey would have preferred sleeping all day long, but around seven in the morning, Ben woke her up to tell her that Rose had been calling her like crazy. An hour later, she was in the cafe's kitchen, baking cookies and quiches and making sandwiches. The clients were more than happy to find the cafe open so early, so time pretty much flew like their products off the shelves.

"Sorry for calling you so early, but this evening I must take care of Mrs Silva and I didn't want to keep the cafe closed all day long."

"No worries," said Rey wiping her sweaty forehead with a paper napkin. "I can take care of the cafe for how long you need, but I need some help too."

"Ben?" smiled Rose cleaning a table. Rey raised an eyebrow, then noticed her friend pointing at her wedding band.

"No! I mean yes," she blushed. "Actually no. I mean, I need help with an order."

And two hours later, while Rey was slowly panicking as the sandwiches were vanishing and the oven was ringing like crazy, announcing her that her croissants were moments away from setting the entire place on fire, Rose came in with six bags full of ingredients and with her skilful hands ready to take over the counter, while Rey retired in the kitchen for the rest of the day. Once the cafe was closed, Rose dropped Rey at the retirement home and she left to take care of Mrs Silva. Of course, Rey would have rather returned home earlier, but knowing that Ben was too much of a workaholic to let himself be seduced, she found colouring with the kids a far better distraction. It sure was. When not asking about Ben, the kids reenacted their own crazy versions of 'The Little Mermaid' or organized contests, drawing the craziest cakes they could imagine. And Anna… Oh, Anna! She gave her her baby blanket and they played with the elephant, the little girl being the mommy and Rey the daddy. And she also gave her the sweetest hug and smelled like a baby and giggled like an angel.

"How old are you, Anna?" asked her Rey while putting her hair up in three adorable buns, despite not being the easiest task with those chestnut curls reminding her of Ben's hair. Their baby boy would have had the same curls? Rey shook her head and paid attention to Anna, who was drawing an elephant family… or so she claimed.

"Umm… two?"

"You're two years old?"

"Umm… mmmno?"

Rey laughed.

"Then how old are you, mysterious girl?"

"Three. It's my birthday soon."

"Really?" smiled Rey inexplicably excited, then deflated realizing that the poor girl had spent all of her birthdays without a family… just like she did for many years. "Then maybe I will bake you a cake. Hmm? Do you want a big cake with an elephant on it?"

"Mmmmno?"

"Then what do you want?" she pulled her in her arms, tickling her and kissing her cheeks. The little girl screamed and laughed and looked at Rey with her dark ancient-like eyes.

"I want my mommy."

And she wasn't her mommy. Anna's mommy, the one who made her the blanket, was long dead and if she were like her even the tiniest bit, Anna would spend many birthdays wishing for her mommy.

"Don't cry…" she wiped her tear with her tiny hand, then kissed her on the nose. "Mommy is a star."

"My mommy is a star too," caressed Rey her perfect little head. "And you know, my mommy has always taken care of me from the sky and she sent me Ben."

"Ben!" the little girl applauded joyful, looking at the door.

"He's not here now, but maybe Ben and I can do something for your birthday. A surprise! What do you say?"

"Umm… cupcake?"

Rey snorted.

"A cupcake?"

"Two cupcake. Fufu and Anna cupcake."

"Don't you want cupcakes for the other children too?"

Anna looked at her, once again fascinating her with those eyes of hers. She seemed to ponder the offer for a while until she turned her back to her and threw herself on the floor to continue her drawing.

"So? Cupcakes for the other children?"

"Mmmno."

So radical!

"Great!" she chuckled considering once again the possibility of adopting her. After all, that little girl seemed to be a miniature Ben Solo. Like the son she never had the chance to give birth to… or maybe the bunch of cells was supposed to be a girl. Three Ben Solo's in her house? It sounded both tempting and pure madness.

However, once she stepped inside her home, there was no trace left of her good mood. She was feeling hollow and lost. She laid on the floor, staring at the ceiling, too broken to cry and too undecided about her life, and with only Bee to meow at her, all worried. The kitten patted her with her tiny paw and Rey took her and put her on her chest. Ben had told her to take it easier, but her feelings had no master, nor did her worries.

"Do you hate me?" she asked Ben as he lifted her on his shoulder like a potato sack and carried her upstairs.

"Are you drunk?" he asked throwing her the bed and peeling Bee off his cast.

"I'm miserable."

"I can see that. So… do you have anything to tell me?"

She did not look at him, which was not really an option as Bee climbed on her face, blocking her view.

"Do you hate me?"

"Not again…" Ben grunted and grabbed both her ankles with his giant hand, pulling her in the middle of the bed. Rey yelped scaring Bee, the kitten jumping on the pillow, then she got up on her elbows and looked at her husband. He unbuttoned her jeans like a professional, then pulled them off her hips.

"I can't have sex with you knowing you hate me."

"I don't hate you, silly!"

"Yes, you do."

Ben gave her a confused glare, then proceeded with undressing her.

"Why do you think so?" he said throwing her jeans on an ottoman chair.

"It's my fault our baby died."

"Rey," he sighed exasperatedly. "Bab-sweetheart, that was a long time ago. It was just a bunch of cells. We got over this years ago."

"I knooow," she whined. "But I never got over it. I used to cry when you were not watching and each time I saw a child. I kept lying to myself that I didn't care, but it got worse and worse and I kept hiding and lying and-"

"Rey, stop it!" he scolded her and she felt compelled to look at him, though pouting. "I love you. We all do - Rose, Finn and I… Bee. We all love you. Don't take that miscarriage as our child dying, but simply… waiting to be born later."

Rey blinked confused.

"Look, I promise you that in five years, we will have not one, but two babies and Bee will also have new friends with whom our kids will play and… and the greenhouse will be full of juicy fruit and vegetables for your delicious meals."

"Promise?" she got up and grabbed his shirt, almost making him fall over her. "And we'll get Anna too?"

Ben narrowed his eyes.

"I love her, Ben-Ben. She's is a mini-you and I want many mini-you's."

He knew that there was no point in arguing with her or denying her anything for the moment, so he just nodded passively and took off her pullover, then proceeded with unhooking her bra.

"Are you going to fuck me?" she whispered in his ear.

"I don't fuck drunk women," he whispered back.

"But you're sooo hot. Do you know I love you? Like I would die for you."

"Same, but you need to rest now."

"Will you read me a story?"

He rolled his eyes.

"You need to know stories if you wanna be a dad!"

Ben ignored her, covering her with the duvet.

"Are we going to make a baby tonight?"

"Mmmno. Goodnight, Rey!"

And with the lights off, it all went dark. When she woke up it was still dark and Ben was sleeping peacefully with his warm palm resting on her belly. She carefully snuck out of the bed, barely standing on her own. Her head felt like after one of her most intense flashbacks, except her mind was pretty much empty. All she knew was that she was thirsty and that there was a loud thumping noise making her consider letting go of the railing to fall and pass out.

"Yeah?" she opened the front door.

"Hey, sorry for waking you up at this hour."

Rey blinked barely distinguishing the features of the person in front of her. She knew that voice, but everything was too blurry to make sense of it.

"You look horrible, Rey."

"Yeah," she uttered taking a step back.

"Tomorrow I have to be at work all day long, so I am gonna leave these things here. Sorry I can't help you anymore."

"Yeah… it's ok."

The person kept on talking and Rey nodded after each sentence despite to actually hearing anything. She then closed the door and took the bags in the kitchen. Stumbling over every piece of furniture, she grabbed a glass of water and sat at the table with her head rested on her arm. It was getting dark again.

"Excuse me, Tessa," she followed the young woman and grabbed her by the wrist. "Do you have any idea what I'm supposed to do now? I haven't been to such events on my own in a long while. Do you want me to serve or leave or-"

"Oh, enjoy yourself!" Tessa patted her on the shoulder. "Drink some champagne, eat some sushi, eat your own sweets… It's a private party. Just have fun!"

Enjoy herself? Have fun? She could surely do that. Or at least she could try… but without any alcohol, unless she wanted to sleep with a thick wall of bricks between her husband and her.

"Sweetheart?"

She opened her eyes still massaging her temples. She had woken up after falling asleep on the table, with the acknowledgement that Rose had dropped all the shopping bags and ingredients and left her to take care of the order on her own. And that was when she started panicking.

"Why are you awake?" she asked her husband. "Nightmares?"

He shook his head and joined her at the table. Rey cringed at the noise made by the chair being dragged on the floor, then let Ben take her hand and kiss the back of her palm.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her massaging her neck.

"Terrible," she purred. "I just realised I fucked up big time."

Ben snorted.

"How on earth did you manage to get that drunk?"

Rey looked at him unsure of what had happened. She took her time to let the fog disappear, then she let out a grunt and hid her face behind her palms.

"I am sooo sorry!" she cried embarrassed. "I was so distressed yesterday and when I left the retirement home, I remembered some things and the next thing I know, I was at the store with a bottle of something. I have no idea how I got home."

Ben stopped massaging her neck, instead squeezing her shoulder.

"Please don't do this again," he said calmly, yet firmly. "Keep in mind that-"

"I know. I know," she nodded. "Until we get a clue about why I went missing for three years, I should be more cautious."

She chewed the inside of her cheek and looked at Ben's sleepy face. She smirked, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Sorry."

"For getting drunk and not remembering how you've got home or for asking me to fuck you and impregnate you?"

Rey hid her face once again and let an even louder groan.

"Ok," he laughed. "I forgive you if you tell me what's bothering you."

Without looking at him, Rey pushed the tablet in his direction. Ben raised an eyebrow, then pressed his finger on the main button. Once unlocked, he looked at the photo of Rey prior to her disappearance and at the text written on it. She had sent it to her entire old inbox and apparently, someone had answered.

Dear Mrs Solo,

Dahlia was more than ecstatic to learn about your return and you reopening your business. Dahlia's Dream is about to officially launch online ( link ) and in our partner stores ( link ) its ballet-inspired collection on the 10th of February. A private banquet will be held on the 13th of February for Dahlia's close friends. She would like you to provide the candy bar for this event. You will find more details in the document attached here . Please confirm and send your updated invoice details by tomorrow evening.

Thank you,

Tessa Kovacs

"That's… great, isn't it?" he smiled excited and slightly proud of her initiative.

"Yeaaah," she rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Except… I have to make the delivery today and Rose bailed on me."

She stood up and went to one of the bags, pulling out a sack of peaches and a pack of sugar.

"So I have all these ingredients, receipts I must sort of convert into an invoice, but no actual idea what to bake. I have a… you know how writers have that writer's block? I have a baker's block."

Ben pursed his lips and joined her. He looked at the bags, then at the large box of peaches and the smaller one of raspberries.

"So… peaches and cream?"

"Yeah… And I obviously can't go with our special brownies, nor with two hundred peach macarons, so I need something more. I have the ingredients for peach ice cream and maybe a frozen yoghurt with poached peaches and a brandied peach parfait. Even a peach and vanilla yoghurt smoothie, but they all are too similar. I need… diversity."

Maybe her block wasn't that much of a block.

"How about a cassata? You used to make a delicious chocolate and citrus cassata. Replace the citrus with peaches."

She didn't remember what a cassata was, so she pouted tapping her fingers on the table.

"Or a peach lattice pie with bourbon caramel… or a peach and cream gelatin dessert. I think you had a collection of silicone molds perfect for gelatin desserts."

Rey watched him surprised how passionate he was about recipes.

"And I think we can also bake some mini peach mousse cakes with mirror glaze."

We ?

"Actually, Dahlia likes surprises, so we can use the raspberries to make raspberry macarons and…" he continued looking in the bags. "She isn't a big fan of apples unless it's autumn, but we have enough mango for a white chocolate mango cheesecake and even passion fruit for a passion fruit chocolate entremet."

He looked at her terrified face and his big smiled faded away.

"Or maybe we can make just some mini triple chocolate mousse cakes. Or pavlovas to tackle the ballet theme?"

Rey shrugged completely lost.

"Or…" he sighed. "Or maybe we should just put some raspberries on the peach macarons and pretend they're boobs."

Rey couldn't help herself and burst out laughing. Ben smiled too, making her lick her lips and look at him in complete fascination.

"How do you know all of these?"

" You know all of these. I was just your helper."

"But I don't remember any of these recipes, nor do I know how to have everything ready until this afternoon."

She watched Ben ignore her laments and furrowed as he went to the pantry and returned with a large mixer under his arm and holding a bunch of bowls. Rey ran to him to help him before dropping anything on his foot and end up with more broken bones.

"Sorry, Ben Solo, but you are the biggest fucking idiot I know," she let out a muffled laugh.

"Yeah, I agree," he shrugged letting her kiss his neck.

"I don't deserve you."

"Here I must disagree. Now let's impress Dahlia."

"My delicious muffin!"

Rey jumped and smiled awkwardly at the woman hugging her. She was wearing a peach kimono, beads in her braided hair and too many pearls and stones around her neck. She smelled like Dove soap instead of any expensive perfume and wore no makeup except for some blue eyeliner. She was Dahlia.

"Hello!" she hugged her back.

"Muffin, I am so glad to see you! My parties were not the same without your treats."

"Thank you," she blushed. "I am honoured to be here."

Dahlia pushed her gently, then pulled her back in her arms.

"Why so polite and stiff, muffin? Here! Take a mimosa!"

Rey looked panicked at the glass and immediately put it back on the table.

"Oh, I don't drink."

"That's sad. Are you baking a mini-muffin?"

Rey gasped but didn't get to answer as Dahlia seemed to have swallowed up all the energy in the universe.

"At least tell me you'll accept my massage invitation."

"Umm… I guess?"

"Amazing! Then see you in a few minutes and when you decide to leave, don't forget to ask Tessa for your cheque and to grab a gift bag before you leave."

"Mr Solo, I am asking you one more time. Are you sure the relationship between your wife and you was as perfect as you claim?"

Ben's chin trembled. He had been at the police station for hours, his back was hurting and he was moments away from a meltdown. His beloved wife had been missing for weeks and no one was doing anything but invade their privacy and come up with ridiculous theories.

"I've already told you that Rey and I were perfectly happy. The last time I saw her, she was smiling and laughing. We were supposed to meet and… we were… we were happy… we were…"

The police officer was clearly not believing him and he could feel his eyes filling up with tears. He closed them to keep the tears from making him look like a manipulative jerk trying to impress the authorities and opened them again later.

"Ben, I can't do this," said Rose biting her nails nervously. She was as much of a mess as he was. There was nothing left of the self-confident and cheerful nurse that had made his mother's final years much better and tolerable. He couldn't stand looking at her and seeing her that miserable, so he turned his head and looked at the obscene drawings and words written in graffiti on the cafe's windows.

"Rose, I can't have this cafe associated with my name anymore. Please do it for Rey. Buy it and take care of it as Rey would have."

"But she will be back!" slammed Rose her fist on the table.

"I believe it too, but until then, the cafe is dying. There are products and ingredients expiring and I already had to give back the money she got from our clients for orders she had already missed or most likely won't be able to deliver anytime soon. I can't afford to pay for ingredients when there are no orders and deliveries and I'm not making any money. I need to get a job to pay bills and detectives."

Rose closed her eyes, bit her upper lip and nodded.

"Fine. We'll keep it in the family. For Rey."

"For Rey."

"What about me?"

Ben gasped waking up with a stiff neck and slightly dizzy. In the bedroom, there was only the bedside lamp turned on, making the entire room seem more intimate than usual. He winced with an uncomfortable grimace and tried to get up a little. It was late and he had said he would only lay down a little, not sleep the entire evening. He rubbed his eyes and yawned before stretching his long legs.

"Ben?" he heard Rey call from the walk-in closet.

Oh, so it hadn't been just his imagination!

"Are you already back, sweetheart?"

"Yeah! I've been back for maybe two hours already."

Oh, shit! For long had he actually been asleep?

"How was it?"

"Umm… great actually."

"You don't seem too excited," he chuckled grabbing his tablet to check his emails.

"No, I'm just still in shock. Everyone was so nice and they loved the sweets. I got a lot of business cards, I ate sushi, I drank lemonade and smoothies…"

Ben giggled and continued reading his emails. At that rate, he was beginning to see no point in even going to the office anymore after his supposed sick leave was over. After all, he was working more and actually much better from home. Not that he enjoyed his job, but it was better than nothing or working in a hotel again.

"...So yeah…" continued Rey not knowing that Ben hadn't been listening for the past minutes. "By the way, I left the cheque I got from Dahlia on your desk. I didn't know your bank account details, so I took a cheque."

"It's ok," he yawned again. "We'll go to the bank one of these days. We need to renew your card too."

"Great! Oh, Ben?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?" he said on a sweet tone, though he was furrowing. Kaydel had found a very nice apartment in the city and it was… Was it necessary? Maybe Rey was very drunk the previous night, but she seemed very honest about having more pets and many kids, so no matter how comfortable that apartment was, it was too small and most definitely not for a big family.

"Do you want to see what I got from Dahlia?"

Ben blinked at the familiar question and looked at the closet. He held his breath as Rey stepped outside wearing white sheer lace thigh high pantyhose and a peach floral lace chemise.

"Hey," she smiled looking both angelic and devilishly sexy.

"Heeeey," he said on the highest pitched tone and with a dumbfounded smile.

"So? What do you think?" she said spinning like a ballerina.

"I love it."

Rey approached him gleaming with hope and love and sat on the bed, next to him. He was wearing no shirt and did not seem to have anything against her hand exploring the muscles of his abdomen or the scars on his chest. After all, his eyes were busy admiring the shape of her breasts as held by the silk and lace bra hidden under the sheer material of her chemise. He wanted to kiss them, taste them, bite them until her voice was nothing but a bunch of coos and moans. And her skin… oh, her beautiful skin! It was still wet here and there, after her bath, but it was also smelling like ylang ylang and lemon. And if his eyes were not seeing things, there was a tiny hint of glitter in the lotion she had used on her skin.

"You're on my side of the bed," she murmured pressing on his muscles.

"I know. While you were away, I sometimes slept here to feel your presence."

There was no hint of hate or reproach in his voice. Just pure adoration and a reminder of how much he had missed her.

"I'm here now," she bit her lip lifting her leg and sitting herself on his lower body. "And I want to take my rightful place."

For a moment, Ben thought she was referring to her bedside, but as her curious hands worked their way up to his wide shoulders, he knew that there was nothing innocent about her remark. He nodded with a shy smirk and lifted his chin, Rey immediately leaning in and kissing him.

"You can touch me," she murmured between kisses. "Please."

Ben smiled, finally putting his large palm on her waist, going up and down until finally resting on her hip. He stroked so hesitantly that it seemed more as if he was just checking whether she was a ghost or not. But Rey wouldn't have him shy away or push her away again. The night in the bathtub was not exactly what she had desired, but it had been a huge step. Thus, she bit her lip and clumsily pulled down the straps of the chemise and the thin material of her bra. She heard Ben gasp, so she cupped his face and pulled him at her chest possessively. She was claiming him and demanding him to claim her back.

Rey smiled feeling satisfied even hours after she had initially passed out. Ben was still sleeping on her side of the bed and had it not been for his broken arm, she would have remained on top of him for the rest of the night. However, unable to sleep due to all that excitement and the pride she was feeling after that long-awaited perfect day, she was now sitting on his side of the bed, looking at photos of them and thoroughly admiring her scrapbook.

The last page of the scrapbook had a couple of photos of cakes for baby showers. Two with cakes for girls, two for boys and one of some cookies for a gender reveal party. They all looked so nice and delicate. It must have taken a lot of work to make those sugar paste decorations. The tiny elephants, bunnies, teddy bears, unicorns, clouds and golden stars. Her sweets and pastries had always been delicious, but that detailed and aesthetically pleasing? No wonder people were adoring her stuff and she was so successful. And those names… she had written in yellow, teal and peach a couple of names - June, Lilliana, Penelope, Theo and Ben.

Oh Ben, she smiled and looked again at her husband sleeping peacefully. She could sense that box of hidden feelings opening up more and more revealing her adoration for that man. She was so madly in love with him and he loved her too, that grumpy puppy.

She bent over to kiss him on the cheek, then returned to her scrapbook. She had also drawn a different cupcake on each photo. Perhaps to remind her to try the cupcake version of each cake. It would have been indeed less demanding in terms of composition and feeling, but she would have had to spend more time on decorating by making more than just one elephant or one unicorn. Perhaps that's why she wrote those plus signs on each photo as well. To be reminded that it took more work to make the cupcake version or that perhaps it was more practical and easier to charge. Or perhaps…

She saw the shape of the man handing her a business card. She looked at the card and saw a number written by hand. 004-...

Look, my husband mustn't know about this. Ok? It will be our little secret.

The same hand handing her the phone number was now holding her hand and brushing his thumb against her skin.

Just you and I, she heard him chuckle. Our secret.

Then the blurry image of their hands turned into a mirror and her looking at her own image, at her own belly. She felt a tear run down her cheek and she covered her mouth in a surprise that soon turned into terror as she heard her voice scream at her mirror image.

I don't want it to be born. I don't want it!

Rey gasped and the tormenting feeling of dread swallowing her forced her to look at Ben. Whatever she was doing in that flashback, it was no good.