The gala came and went. It was the night of her life the dancing and stolen kisses. She felt so prideful listening to ben solo give his speech about changing New York City for the better. he had officially denounced Starkill Weapons Enterprise into the New Hope project. She even agreed for him to publicly announce their relationship. And like she had fantasized all those months ago, she was no longer the waitstaff.
It was almost full-blown summer by now. It was the end of May which meant the semester had ended. Not like it mattered since she took an incomplete which over the summer she would be making up. In the meantime, she was working on music. That's how she spent most her days while Ben took phone calls and worked in the other room. He was so busy now with work she felt lost in his apartment. She knew she could do whatever she wanted, didn't have to stay home all day but without school or work she didn't know what to do. She felt like a free loader because she wasn't even working. She forgot how hard job hunting was, especially in the city when more college students were looking for summer jobs. Even if Ben didn't mind, she still itched to do something with her time besides constantly playing piano. She never wanted the housewife life and that's what she was begging to feel like.
Ben solo sensed a change in her lately. More then likely because the semester had ended, and she felt behind. He has seen her sink into a depression before and he wasn't about to let her sink into one now. He tried to spend as much time away from the office as he could to keep her company. Sometimes she would invite finn over but besides that she didn't really have anyone to spend time with. Even Leia took her out to dinner. She would always make a remark to him later about how she didn't see a ring on reys finger yet. In truth he was just waiting for the right time.
There was a knock at his office door disturbing his thought.
"Busy." He called out gruffly. He really wasn't but he couldn't stand another mindless conversation today.
"Even for me?" he immediately recognized her soft voice through the door. Sometimes she would come visit him at work for lunch or just because she was bored alone at the apartment. He contemplated getting a dog for her. A smile took over his face as he got up to open the door.
"I always have time for you…." his words died in his throat as soon as he opened the door and saw her. Rey was standing there in a messy bun, black booty shorts and sports bra, she was probably on a run and figured she'd stop by.
"You going to let me in or just stand there and stare?" she winked and placed a hand on his chest. His nostrils flared at the harmless contact, but it was enough for him to pull her in before pushing her up against the now closed door. her hand slid from his chest and into his hair pulling him in for a kiss. Heat filled her veins as soon as his lips touched hers. His tongue traveled past her lips tasting her, so sweet. But he had to pull away before things got to serious.
"Did I not leave you satisfied enough this morning?" he whispered into her ear as his hands rubbed the exposed skin of her waist. She shivered remembering their morning activities in the shower before he had to head into work.
"No, you did." Her fingers played with his hair. She liked it long. "I just missed you."
"Missed me or were you bored?" he laughed lightly placing a kiss on her neck.
She sighed and tilted her head for him. "Both."
"I have a job offer for you." he placed another gentle kiss to her jaw.
"Oh?"
He smirked knowing his touch was already affecting her.
"The summer program for kids out of school with no where to go. We could use a music director." His lips barley grazed hers before she shoved him back so she could stare him down.
"Are you serious?" Rey stared at him eyes wide. He briefly talked about the summer programming, the first funded program he was initiating in the city. Never did he mention a music department, but he had added it just for her.
"Yes. Position is yours if you want it." his dimples were deep as he looked at her.
Rey was speechless. All she wanted to do was kiss him, the love of her life. She pulled him back into her into a passionate kiss.
"Is that a yes?" she was already shoving his suit jacket off, sucking at his throat.
"Yes, you fuckable redwood." She huffed having a hard time with his shirt buttons. He chuckled as he waved her hands off and worked on his shirt. She was sassy and bold, that's why he loved her.
Xxx
Later that week Rey was up late sitting on the piano bench with sheets of music spread out around her. Without realizing it the job ben offered her started on Monday, the first week of June, and she didn't have much music ready. Hours ago, ben had left to go sleep on the couch so she could compile something. He had kissed her forehead and she smiled apologetically for basically kicking him out of his own bedroom.
While he was asleep though she decided to play on one particular song. For months she had been trying to make it work, bit by bit the bars fit together, and she had her own music score. This song was special, it meant her love. Eventually she was going to play it to Ben. She spoke better in terms of music rather then words. For this one though she even wrote lyrics even though she didn't sing, at least not in front of people. Hopefully one day he would get to hear it.
Ben woke up hearing soft familiar notes. The song was original, it was Reys. He would catch snippets of it here and there, it sounded so lovely. He laid there with eyes close listening to the tune. She usually only ever played a few bars because she was still working on it. However she continued to play after a moment and then to his surprise he heard her voice. Ben shot up listening to her, her voice was so far.
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah they were all yellow
He felt like he shouldn't be listening. He had no idea she sang, she sounded so divine, how did she keep this secret from him? he left the couch and slowly crept up the stairs still listening to her.
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called "Yellow"
He froze at the bedroom door watching her play, the moonlight and dim lamp lightening her up. She looked glowing sitting there in just his t-shirt. He couldn't help but feel like this song was about them.
So then I took my turn
Oh what a thing to have done
And it was all yellow
Her sweet voice was pulling at his heart.
Your skin
Oh yeah, your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
You know, you know I love you so
You know I love you so
That's when he saw a tear slip down her cheek, but she was smiling. This song was about love and longing. It was about them.
I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh what a thing to do
'Cause you were all yellow
He silently moved from the doorway to their closet. It wasn't his anymore than it was hers. He fished through the tie drawer while her voice drew deep emotions from his soul.
I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow
Rey was playing her heart out. This was the first time she played the song in full and sang it. The tears were flowing, and she couldn't stop them. this song meant everything, all the hardships, never giving up on each other, everlasting love.
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
And you know
For you I'd bleed myself dry
For you I'd bleed myself dry
He could feel his own eyes water as he stood there watching her, his everything.
It's true
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
Her fingers slowly came to a stop the piano drifting away. Then ever so softly her voice graced his ears again.
And all the things that you do
She sat there out of breath like she had run a marathon, her chest beating like a drum. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt bens presence.
"Hey, I'm sorry did I wake you up?" she frantically wiped the tears off her face.
He ignored her and slid onto the bench next to her. He swallowed nervously before taking her trembling hand in his.
"Rey, was that song about us?" his voice was thick with emotion.
"You heard it?" her eyes flickered between their hands to his eyes.
"Yes. All of it." he stared at her with such intensity.
"I wrote it for you. I was saving it for a special moment." Her other hand reached up and she found her finger tracing the very faint scar, a habit when she was burning with love for this man.
"Its just us now." his other hand opened, and Rey gasped. In the palm of his hand was a ring. No box, no getting down on one knee, this was simple. Just them alone, alone together, in the early morning moonlight with nothing but endless love between them.
"Ben…" his name left her lips in a wavering whisper as she kept staring at the ring. Normally there was a nagging part of her that would tell her to run, that this wasn't real. But not this time. now she felt nothing but soul crushing love. She hoped this is what she thought this was because she was ready.
"Marry me. Please. Join me for the rest of my life." His voice was almost a strangled plea. He couldn't imagine how he would feel if she said no. his eyes burned in hers, unable to look away from those brown golden orbs. He wanted to be able to look in her eyes everyday for the rest of her life, listen to her music, feel her kiss, share her days.
Rey didn't need to think about it. She had spent too long thinking about it over the past several weeks, daydreaming of this moment. Everything she ever wanted, dreamed of and more.
"Yes, yes, I will." Her whole body was shaking as more tears fell. Her hand was trembling as he slipped the ring on before pulling her into his arms, kissing any bit of skin he could get his lips on. Ben's heart was soaring, she didn't run this time. No more running away, only charging forward; together.